5-The Eight steps of Yoga

We saw last message that the science of Yoga had been codified into 196 sutras or short verses by Maharishi Patanjali in his work “Ashatnga Yoga or Patanjali Yoga “ .Maharishi Patanjali has divided the entire science of yoga in to 8 steps . They are :1) Yama ( External discipline ) 2) Niyama ( Internal Discipline )3) Asana ( Postures ) 4) Pranayama ( Breathing Exercies ) 5 ) Prathyahara ( Withdrawing the senses from outside ) 6 ) Dharana ( Concentration ) 7) Dhyana ( Meditation ) and 8) Samadhi ( Super conscious state )

These 8 steps are Universal and are applicable to every individual at any place and time .No matter which country / race / caste / language or religious beliefs a person belongs to he/she have to go through these 8 steps to progress on the spiritual path .This Universality of Yoga Sutras is what has made the Science of Yoga the most popular and respected science the world over .

4-Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is also called as Ashtanga Yoga / Patanjali Yoga . It is an 8 step process for preparing the body and mind for higher spiritual quest ( i.e Jnana Yoga ) . The entire science of Raja Yoga has been codified and systematized by Maharishi Patanjali 2000 years back in his work “ Raja Yoga Sutras “ also called as “Patanjali Yoga Sutras “ . All the instructions here are in the form of short verses called “Sutras” . The entire work consist of 196 Sutras divided in to 4 Chapters .Each Chapter is called a “Pada” and the 4 Padas are 1) Samadhi Pada 2) Sadhana Pada 3) Vibuthi Pada and 4) Kaivalya Pada . Maharishi Patanjali has wonderfully systematized these 196 sutras in an 8 step process called as “Ashtanga Yoga “ ( Ashta means eight ) . Each of these eight steps fits in wonderfully in to the other and are inter-related . Just like we have tools to measure any parameter these 8 steps offer and excellent tool to the Yoga practitioner as to where he stands in the spiritual journey .These steps are so scientific and universal that none can bypass the same and have to follow the same route . This universality of Yoga Sutras is what has made Yoga a very popular science world over and everybody looks to Maharaishi Patanjali’s sutras for their spiritual inspiration . Now what are these 8 steps ? We will look at it in the next message .