How to Deepen Your Yoga Practice With the 8 Limbs of Yoga
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The eight limbs of yoga are essential in understanding the nature of yoga and a way to begin your spiritual journey upon a clear path.
Many in the West think yoga is just stretching or a form of exercise, more than a spiritual practice.
By looking into the eight limbs, we can apply them to our modern journey to find ourselves through the ancient yoga practice.
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
~The Bhagavad Gita~
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What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice with many paths and ways to have a spiritual journey. The eight limbs of yoga are a fantastic way to dive deeper and live a more yogic lifestyle.
Patanjali, the father of modern yoga, was the one who laid out the eight-limb path in the yoga sutras that explain the practices and theories of yoga. Depicted as a path, ladder, or tree leading to eventual enlightenment, let’s look at the journey from the beginning.
- Yamas – The 5 Disciplines
- Niyamas – The 5 Restraints
- Asana – Postures
- Pranayama – Breath Control
- Pratyahara – Sense-withdrawl
- Dharana – Concentration
- Dhyana – Meditation
- Samadhi – Ecstasy or Enlightenment
As you can see, yoga postures are just one limb or step on the path. Many moving parts can be integrated into our lives and enrich our body, mind, and spirit!
Why are the 8 Limbs significant?
By combining all of these practices under the umbrella of yoga, we are doing more than just stretching our bodies. We are also finding better ways to breathe (pranayama), have a system of ethics and discipline(yamas & niyamas), build better inner focus, and make space within ourselves (Dharana & Dhyana).
And these are just a few benefits. When you move deeper into your yoga practice, there is a whole world to discover.

How to get Started with 8 Limbs of Yoga in Your Life
The best way to begin is to learn what each limb is and how to apply it to modern life.
The Yamas
The Yamas are the foundation of the yoga practice. Being morally disciplined comes before postures and meditation. These are generally the foundations of most great religions.
- Ahimsa – Non-harming: This means yourself, others, and the world around you.
- Satya – Truthfulness: Honesty in your actions and words.
- Asteya – Non-stealing: Taking nothing from others, yourself, or the environment.
- Brahmacharya – Moderation: Once, meaning chastity or celibacy, but in the modern world, conserving & preserving your energy.
- Aparigraha – Non-possessiveness: Letting go of attachments and expectations.
The Niyamas
The Niyamas are the moral restraints. These are more inner life than the outward discipline of the yamas. Who you are on the inside matters just as much as the outside.
- Shauca – Purity & Cleanliness
- Samtosha – Contentment & Gratitude
- Tapas – Austerity & Self-Discipline
- Svadhyaya – Self-Study & Study of Sacred Texts
- Ishvara-Pranidhana – Devotion to a Higher Power & Surrender
Asana
Postures are the first thing most people think of when it comes to yoga. The poses and routines are synonymous with the view of yoga.
Asana means “seat” and was a way to train the body to sit in meditation for long periods.
Postures are also therapeutic and help strengthen the body, balance the moods, and increase flexibility and focus.
Some beginner poses to consider:
- Tree Pose(Vrksasana)
- Cat/Cow Pose(Bitilasana Marjaryasana)
- Downward Facing Dog(Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- Sphinx Pose(Salamba Bhujangasana)
- Corpse Pose(Savasana)

Pranayama
The breath is life, and we can control it to speak, sing, or hold our breath. Breathing is an automatic function; the body will breathe, but we have control over the quality of our breathing.
Slowing the breath can help calm the nervous system and bring balance and vitality to our bodies.
Some beginner breath exercises to try:
- Equal Breath
- Box Breath
- Ujjayi Breath
- 2:1 breath
- Abdominal Breathing
Check out my post on the five best breathing exercises for beginners!
Pratyahara
Sense withdrawal or turning inward is the discipline of letting go of the senses and distractions of the outside world and turning inward toward the working mind.
Ways to practice sense withdrawal:
- Observing silence
- Turning away from gossip
- 61-point relaxation
- Yoga Nidra
Dharana
Dharana differs from meditation because you are learning to concentrate on one thing. You are focusing your attention on a single point.
To practice, find one thing to focus on:
- a chakra
- a body part
- a mantra
- a mandala

Dhyana
Meditation happens when you maintain concentration and focus for an extended period. This is a flow of reflection and observation. The ultimate goal is to empty the mind and suspend judgment.
There are many types of meditation, but to name a few:
- Guided
- Mantra
- Loving-kindness
- Mindfulness
- Walking
Samadhi
Samadhi is the ultimate goal of yoga. Enlightenment happens when the “whirls” or “fluctuations” of the mind come to a halt.
Every human has the potential to reach samadhi, and it will look different to everyone. It is difficult to obtain and takes dedication; you may not get to it in this lifetime, but still pursuing it is a powerful tool in your spiritual practice.

Tips for Practicing the 8-Limbed Path
- Take a look at your morals and clarify what you believe is right. Get to know yourself through journaling, meditation, or mentally asking yourself who you are.
- In this modern world, there are no rules about where to start. You don’t have to be pure of heart or chaste to learn from the 8-limbed path. Start where it feels right to you.
- Never stop learning, examining, and questioning. It is all about the journey and not your destination, truly!
Frequently Asked Questions

The last thing you need to know about the 8 Limbs
Patanjali’s 8-limbed path is a great way to dive deeper into your yoga practice to see that there is more to you and your spiritual journey.
It’s also an excellent way to get clarity and guidance. It is an ancient practice in the modern world, so everyone interprets and practices things differently. Every spiritual journey is unique, and that is what makes it beautiful.
I hope you found clarity in this post. This is an essential foundation for any yoga practice. Feel free to leave a comment below!
Stay cozy and practice yoga!