Ashtanga Yoga, as taught by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, consists of eight limbs (Ashta = Eight, Anga = Limbs). These are the foundation of spiritual and physical mastery. Practicing them in daily life leads to inner peace, discipline, and self-realization.
1️⃣ Yama (Ethical Guidelines - How to Interact with the World)
🕉 These are five universal principles to live a pure life.
✅ How to Practice Yama Daily?
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Ahimsa (Non-violence) 🕊️
- Be kind in thoughts, words, and actions.
- Avoid harming anyone, including yourself.
- Practice compassion towards all beings.
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Satya (Truthfulness) 🔥
- Speak only the truth, but ensure it is kind and useful.
- Avoid gossip, lies, or manipulation.
- Live in alignment with your inner truth.
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Asteya (Non-stealing) 🌿
- Do not take what is not yours—physically or emotionally.
- Avoid exploiting people’s time, energy, or trust.
- Be grateful for what you have instead of craving more.
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Brahmacharya (Self-control) 🔱
- Control desires, especially over-indulgence in food, sex, and entertainment.
- Conserve energy for higher spiritual pursuits.
- Practice mindfulness in relationships and avoid attachments.
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Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness) 🌾
- Let go of greed and attachment to material things.
- Declutter your life—physically and mentally.
- Live simply, only keeping what is necessary.
2️⃣ Niyama (Personal Discipline - Inner Purification Practices)
🕉 These cultivate self-discipline and inner purity.
✅ How to Practice Niyama Daily?
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Shaucha (Cleanliness) 🛁
- Keep your body, mind, and surroundings clean.
- Avoid toxic thoughts, junk food, and negativity.
- Take care of your health with sattvic (pure) food.
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Santosha (Contentment) ☀️
- Be grateful for what you have.
- Accept life’s ups and downs with a peaceful heart.
- Find joy in simple things rather than external pleasures.
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Tapas (Self-discipline) 🔥
- Build good habits—wake up early, exercise, and meditate.
- Do something uncomfortable daily (e.g., cold showers, fasting).
- Strengthen the mind by resisting distractions.
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Swadhyaya (Self-study) 📖
- Read spiritual scriptures (Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Ribhu Gita).
- Reflect on your thoughts and actions daily.
- Practice self-inquiry: “Who am I?”
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Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to the Divine) 🕉️
- Accept that everything happens by God’s will.
- Let go of ego and trust the divine plan.
- Chant mantras, pray, or surrender in meditation.
3️⃣ Asana (Physical Postures - Preparing the Body)
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Perform 15-30 mins of yoga postures (asanas) to purify the body.
- Focus on sitting comfortably for meditation (Padmasana, Siddhasana).
- Keep the body flexible and strong—this helps in deeper meditation.
4️⃣ Pranayama (Breath Control - Mastering Life Energy)
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Practice Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) for balance.
- Try Bhastrika (forceful breathing) to increase energy.
- Practice deep belly breathing to calm the mind before meditation.
5️⃣ Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses - Turning Inward)
📖 Meaning: Detaching from external distractions and turning inward.
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Close your eyes and focus inward instead of the outside world.
- Reduce unnecessary screen time, gossip, and sensory overload.
- Before sleeping, sit in silence and observe your thoughts without reacting.
- Whenever a strong emotion arises, watch it like an observer.
🕉️ Simple Exercise:
- Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
- Observe the sounds around you—but do not label them.
- Feel sensations in your body—but do not react to them.
- Let go of all sensory distractions and focus on the silent awareness within.
6️⃣ Dharana (Concentration - One-pointed Focus)
📖 Meaning: Fixing the mind on one object, mantra, or thought.
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Choose one object to focus on:
🔹 Breath (watch the inhale & exhale)
🔹 A mantra (chant "Om" or "Shivoham")
🔹 A candle flame (Trataka meditation)
🔹 An image of your deity (Shiva, Krishna, Devi, etc.) - When the mind wanders, gently bring it back.
- Hold focus for 5-10 minutes without getting distracted.
🕉️ Simple Exercise:
- Light a candle in a dark room and stare at the flame.
- Keep eyes open without blinking for 2 minutes.
- Close eyes and visualize the flame in the mind’s eye.
- Hold this focus as long as possible.
7️⃣ Dhyana (Meditation - Deep Awareness)
📖 Meaning: Continuous, effortless meditation without distractions.
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Sit comfortably with a straight spine in a quiet place.
- Close your eyes and observe your breath without controlling it.
- If thoughts arise, watch them like clouds passing.
- Rest in the silent, peaceful awareness beyond thoughts.
8️⃣ Samadhi (Ultimate Bliss & Self-Realization)
📖 Meaning: The final state of union with the Self (Brahman).
✔️ Daily Practice:
- Meditate deeply until the sense of “I” dissolves.
- Experience the stillness where there is no mind, no ego—just pure Being.
- Realize: “I am not the body, I am not the mind, I am the Infinite Consciousness.”
🔥 How to Incorporate Ashtanga Yoga in Daily Life?
🕉 Morning Routine (60 mins)
✔️ 10 mins - Yama & Niyama reflection
✔️ 15 mins - Asana practice
✔️ 10 mins - Pranayama
✔️ 10 mins - Dharana (Focused concentration)
✔️ 15 mins - Dhyana (Meditation)
🕉 During the Day
✔️ Be mindful of Yama & Niyama in daily activities.
✔️ Practice Pratyahara (Detachment from distractions).
✔️ Use Dharana (Focus) in work and conversations.
🕉 Night Routine (30 mins)
✔️ 10 mins - Silent self-reflection (What went well? What to improve?)
✔️ 10 mins - Chanting or prayer (Shivoham, Om Namah Shivaya).
✔️ 10 mins - Deep meditation before sleep.
🌟 Conclusion: The Path to Liberation (Moksha)
✔️ Practicing Yama & Niyama makes the mind pure & disciplined.
✔️ Asana & Pranayama prepare the body for higher states.
✔️ Pratyahara & Dharana train the mind to focus inward.
✔️ Dhyana leads to Samadhi—the experience of Divine Bliss.
By following Ashtanga Yoga daily, you will experience deep peace, clarity, and ultimately Self-Realization (Moksha).
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