About Yoga

Raja Yoga

(Royal Path of Yoga)

Daily Yoga Ritual draws upon the timeless wisdom of the Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga, as expounded in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These teachings, which have stood the test of time for over 2,500 years, remain as practical and relevant today as they were in the past.

The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga:

1. Yamas (five social and ethical guidelines)

2. Niyamas (Five internal and personal guidelines)

3. Asana (body posture)

4. Pranayama (expand prana/energy, breathing practices)

5. Pratyahara (withdrawing the senses inward)

6. Dharana (concentration)

7. Dhyana (meditation)

8. Samadhi (union with the higher self and universal or unity consciousness)

Raja Yoga offers a step-by-step approach to achieving balance and harmony in our lives. Each limb builds upon the other, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. By following this comprehensive framework, we can balance and harmonize our outer and inner life, and connect with the positivity, creativity and peace within.

1. Yamas - (Five social and ethical guidelines, related to our external interactions)

The Yamas, which are the first limb of Raja Yoga, offer guidance on how to regulate our behaviour towards ourselves and others. By practicing these guidelines, we can create a more peaceful and harmonious world within ourselves, with others, and with the environment around us.

Ahimsa: Non-violence towards all living beings, respect and compassion for all life.
Satya: Being truthful, always speak and act with honesty and integrity.
Asteya: Not stealing or taking what is not given and discourages exploitation for personal gain.
Brahmacharya: Prioritizes spiritual pursuits over physical desires, promoting sexual integrity and discipline.
Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness, non-greed, and non-grasping. It entails limiting the desire for belongings to what is necessary and essential.

2. Niyamas (Five internal and personal guidelines)

The Niyamas, the second limb of Raja Yoga, provide valuable guidelines for our conduct and inner world. By incorporating these guidelines into our daily lives, we can cultivate self-awareness, positivity, and inner peace.

Saucha: Purity, cleanliness and non-toxicity for our bodies, minds, and environments.
Santosha: Contentment through gratitude, finding joy and satisfaction in the present moment, rather than constantly striving for more.
Tapas: Self-discipline, stay focused, motivated, and unlock positive potential.
Swadhyaya: Self-study. By examining our thoughts, actions, and beliefs, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and in the world.
Ishvara Pranidhana: Involves surrendering and dedicating ourselves to our higher self and universal consciousness. It involves letting go of our negative tendencies and petty ego.

3. Asana (body posture)

Asana, the third limb of Raja Yoga, is described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as "sthiram sukham asanam," which means "a posture that is steady and comfortable". In this sutra, Sage Patanjali is emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental focus, as well as relaxation, which is essential for sitting in extended meditation. In Raja Yoga, the focus is on asana as a gateway to meditation, rather than just being a form of physical exercise. This meditative approach, when practised in conjunction with various pranic practices and asanas of Hatha Yoga, enhances not only our physical health but also our awareness and introspection. It helps to uncover physical and mental patterns, as well as pranic blocks that contribute to tension or imbalance in the body and mind. Embrace this journey of self-discovery through the transformative practice of asana.

4. Pranayama (expand prana or

energy, breathing practices)

Pranayama, the fourth limb of Raja Yoga, is a powerful practice that enhances our life energy, or prana, through various breathing techniques. These methods activate dormant energy, helping to regulate and balance our energy levels and nervous system, ultimately revitalizing the body, mind, and spirit. By purifying and strengthening our systems, Pranayama cultivates a sense of calm while boosting our physical, mental and spiritual vitality. Integrating these breathing techniques into our daily routine can lead to improved overall well-being.

5. Pratyahara (withdrawing the senses inward)

Pratyahara is the fifth limb of Raja Yoga. Pratyahara refers to the practice of withdrawing one’s senses from external distractions and sensory objects. It is an essential step in meditation. Techniques of Pratyahara serve as foundational meditation practices for practitioners, preparing for deeper levels of meditation. By focusing inward, we can achieve a heightened state of introspection or awareness regarding our mind and inner life. One notable meditation practice associated with pratyahara is Yoga Nidra, often referred to as yogic sleep. In Yoga Nidra, practitioners lie down in a supine position and guide their body and mind into a deeply relaxed state while maintaining conscious awareness, resembling a sleep-like condition. This practice can help us gain insight into our inner lives while promoting deep relaxation and inner peace.

Along with Yoga Nidra, there is another essential pratyahara practice: Antar Mouna, or inner silence. Antar Mouna is a foundational yogic meditation technique that cultivates self-awareness, reduces mental clutter, and aligns us with our higher selves and positive values.

The primary aim of Antar Mouna meditation is to develop the "Drashta," or the state of being a witness—a non-attached observer of our mind. This practice focuses particularly on our **Samskaras**, which are the deeply ingrained mental impressions and past conditioning that shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. By doing so, we can manage our mental patterns more effectively, break free from negative cycles, and align ourselves with our higher selves and positive values, ultimately reducing mental baggage. This process allows us to shed the layers that hold us back and empowers us to reach our highest potential.

Ultimately, Antar Mouna guides us on our lifelong journey toward a higher state of consciousness, helping us become our best selves.

6. Dharana (Concentration)

Dharana or concentration, is the sixth limb of Raja Yoga. Dharana involves focusing the mind on a single point to enhance concentration essential for achieving a deep level of meditation and self-discovery. One foundational yogic meditation technique categorized as a Dharana practice is Ajapa Japa Meditation, which consists of the repetition of a mantra.

This technique helps develop concentration and quiet the mind by mentally repeating the mantra "Soham" in synchronization with the breath. For instance, you can say "So" while inhaling and "Ham" while exhaling. By practicing Ajapa Japa meditation, individuals can cultivate an enhanced state of awareness and introspection.

7. Dhyana - (deep state of meditation or contemplation)

Dhyana is the seventh limb of Raja Yoga. It represents a deep state of focused meditation and introspection, built upon the previous limbs of Raja Yoga and foundational meditation techniques. This stage guides practitioners toward a more deeper and concentrated state of introspection. In Dhyana, the mind is liberated from distractions, leading to a profound connection with our higher self or unity consciousness, which is known as Samadhi, the eighth limb of Raja Yoga.

8. Samadhi (union with our higher self and universal or unity consciousness) which is the eighth limb of Raja Yoga.

By progressing through the eight limbs of Raja Yoga, we can enhance our awareness and release negative patterns or conditioning. This journey allows us to focus on connecting with our higher selves and embracing positivity. Each limb of Raja Yoga complements the others, helping us refine our personalities and rise above ego, self-interest, and division. Ultimately, this path leads us to Samadhi, an innate state of union with our higher self, where we experience a deep sense of universal consciousness and unity.

5 YAMAS

Five social and ethical guidelines

(Press on video and unlock sound icon)

5 NIYAMAS

Five internal and personal guidelines

(Press on video and unlock sound icon)

Yoga is a powerful tool to balance and harmonize our body, mind, and spirit. By removing obstacles and connecting us with our positivity, creativity, and peace within, it can help us awaken a deep sense of interconnectedness and harmony with all of life.