Who was Patanjali and what are the Yoga Sutras
Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras — 196 aphorisms that systematise the entire science of yoga. The most famous sutra: Yogas citta vritti nirodha — yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
The 8 limbs explained
Yama — ethical restraints: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, non-possessiveness. Niyama — personal observances: cleanliness, contentment, disciplined effort, self-study, surrender. Asana — physical postures. Note: this is the third limb, not the first. Pranayama — expansion of prana through breath regulation. Pratyahara — withdrawal of the senses from external stimulation. Dharana — single-pointed concentration. Dhyana — meditation. Sustained, unbroken awareness. Samadhi — absorption. Complete dissolution of the boundary between observer and observed.
Why this matters for your daily practice
Understanding the 8-limbed framework transforms how you approach practice. Asana is not the goal — it is a preparation. This is why Navyoga classes always include pranayama and meditation alongside asana. Teaching only poses is teaching one-eighth of yoga.
