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/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 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 meditation practice that helps reduce mental noise and chatter, allowing us to connect with positivity and peace within ourselves. The first step in this process is recognizing the noise and mental distractions in our minds. By directing our focus inward, we can gain deeper awareness, understanding, and clarity about our thoughts and internal experiences.

By becoming aware of our samskaras—our mental impressions, thoughts, feelings, and conditioning—we can disentangle ourselves from negative patterns associated with the lower mind. In doing so, we can quiet our minds and connect more deeply with our higher mind, positive values, and inner peace. This process equips us to face life's challenges with equanimity, positivity, and discernment.

The practice of Antar Mouna is a lifelong journey that enables practitioners to explore the layers of their minds and refine their personalities toward a positive and higher state of consciousness.

Ultimately, it paves the way for inner peace and guides us in living life to our fullest

potential.

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 and stillness of mind essential for achieving a deeper level of meditation. The practice of Ajapa Japa or repetition of a mantra, is categorized as a Dharana practice. It develops concentration by continuously repeating a mantra. By engaging in Ajapa Japa, practitioners can cultivate an enhanced and more profound meditative state of awareness and introspection.

7. Dhyana - Meditation

Dhyana, or the practice of meditation is the seventh limb of Raja Yoga. Meditation is built upon the foundational practices of the previous limbs of Raja Yoga, guiding practitioners toward deep introspection and the cultivation of a clear and focused mind. It also helps fine-tune our personalities toward a more positive and elevated state of consciousness. In this higher state, the mind is liberated from negative distractions, allowing for a profound connection with our higher self and a sense of universal, or unity consciousness, known as Samadhi, which is 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 seven 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, a state of union with our higher self, where we experience a deep sense of universal consciousness and unity.

5 YAMAS

(press on video and unlock sound icon)

5 NIYAMAS

(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.