Guidelines on How to Live a

Good Life

Have you ever walked into a yoga class as one person then left that same class feeling like a totally new person? Maybe you thought it was the strong effort from the physical practice or the calmness that came from connecting to your breath. Perhaps you never even pondered why yoga leaves you feeling so good… 

Yoga has the capacity to change your body, mind, and emotional state in revolutionary ways.  Your endurance levels increase, your tolerance levels expand, and your ability to revel in the present moment becomes all absorbing. But, what makes yoga such an all encompassing experience?

“Yoga has the capacity to change your body, mind, and emotional state in revolutionary ways.”

The yogic path highlights the 8 limbs of yoga known as the ashtanga yoga system. (Which is not to be confused with “Ashtanga” vinyasa, the breath-to-movement yoga style famously taught by K Pattabhi Jois.) The ashtanga yoga system was written by the ancient sage from India, Patanjali. Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras in aphorisms that can be studied as guidelines to live a good life. The 8 limbs of yoga is a system that touches on moral, ethical, spiritual, and healthy living lifestyles that optimize health.

The first two branches of Patanjali’s method talk about restraints from unethical actions and observance of positive actions. These first two steps are followed to control human impulses and instincts that lead to the cultivation of good character. The following three stages include physical postures, breath control, and withdrawal of the senses. These middle limbs sanction control over the breath, body, and senses. Lastly, the remaining two practices offer the development of concentration and meditation. These actions are implemented to help control the mind which leads to the ultimate state of being - absorption within the divine. 

“These actions are implemented to help control the mind which leads to the ultimate state of being - absorption within the divine.” 

Each limb is designed to prepare for the next and ultimately the combination of all the branches lead to control of the mind. To achieve the true state of yoga, there must be the presence of both practice and detachment. According to Patanjali's ashtanga yoga system, mastery of all the branches ushers in states of bliss, peace, and being in pure form. One could say that each level requires both effort and ease. And within the fine balance between the two, a person has the map to living a really good life.

Sutra 2.29: yama-niyamâsana-prâñâyâma-pratyâhâra-dhârañâ-dhyâna-samâdhayo ‘stâv angâni

Translation: The eight limbs of yoga are guidelines for self-regulation, self-training, postures, evolution of breath, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation, and absorption.

Sutra 1.14: sa tu dîrgha-kâla-nairantarya-satkârâsevito drdha-bhûmih”

Translation: When practice is repeated over time, and with sincere devotion, the practice transforms into a deeply rooted, stable, and solid foundation. 

Ashtanga Yoga : The 8 Limbs of Yoga 

1 Yama : Restraints and the ethical standards of integrity

Sutra 2.30:: ahimsâ-satyâsteya-brahmacaryâparigrahâ yamâh

Translation: Non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-possessiveness or non-attachment are the codes of self-regulation.

Sutra 1.14: sa tu dîrgha-kâla-nairantarya-satkârâsevito drdha-bhûmih”

Translation: When practice is repeated over time, and with sincere devotion, the practice transforms into a deeply rooted, stable, and solid foundation.

• Ahimsa : Non-Violence

• Satya: Truthfulness

• Asteya: Non-Stealing

• Brahmacharya: Abstaining 

• Aparigraha: Non- Grasping

2 Niyama: Discipline & spiritual observances

Sutra 2.32: Sauca-santosa-tapah-svâdhyâyesvara-prañidhânâni niyamâh.

Translation: Cleanliness and purity of body and mind, an attitude of contentment, discipline, self-study and reflection on sacred words, and an attitude of surrender are the observances or practices of self-training, and are the second rung on the ladder of yoga, otherwise known as the Niyamas.

• Saucha : Cleanliness

• Santosha : Contemptment 

• Tapas : Discipline

•  Svadhyaya : Self-Study 

•  Ishvara Pranidhana : Surrender/Reflection to the divine  

3 Asana: Physical postures to discipline the body and cultivate a healthy abode for meditation  

Sutra 2.46: “sthira-sukham âsanam” 

Translation: Developing perfection in the posture by relaxing into it and releasing effort to stay in it.

4 Pranayama: Breath control to develop mastery over the respiratory system. Manipulating the connection between the mind, breath, and emotion, can extend life while rejuvenating the body and enhancing the mind/body connection. Helps develop master over the body. 

Sutra 1.34: pracchardana-vidhârañâbhyâm vâ prâñasya” 

Translation: The mind becomes calmed and still by regulating the breath.

5 Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses creates detachment from the senses. 

Sutra 3.49: “tato mano-javitvam vikaraña-bhâvah pradhâna-jayas ca” 

Translation: Mastery over the senses, thoughts, and emotions creates a sharp mind with clear perception.

6 Dharana: Concentration on a single mental point. 

Sutra 3.1: “desa-bandhas cittasya dhârañâ” 

Translation: Concentration is the activation of fixing the mind’s attention onto one object.

7 Dhyana: Meditation / Contemplation 

Sutra I.12:  “Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tat nirodhah” 

Translation: Yoga is both a practice and detachment.

8 Samadhi: State of total ecstasy. The mind merges with the single point focus towards the awareness outside the self leading to the interconnectedness within all things everywhere.

Sutra II.42: “Samtosad anuttamah sukhalabha” 

Translation: From contentment, pure bliss is obtained.