Raja Yoga
is a practical and systematic path, codified by sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras somewhere around 200 B.C. It is also known as the eightfold path as it is made up of eight angas, or limbs. They are:
Yamas: The Yamas are five restraints that the Yogi/n needs to observe. They are:
ahimsa, non-violence;
satya, truthfulness;
asteya, non-stealing;
brahmacharya, abstinence from sensual indulgence;
aparigraha, non-possessiveness.
Niyamas: The Niyamas are the observances one should follow. There are five Niyamas:
Shaucha, purity;
santosha, contentment;
tapas, practices that lead to perfection of body, mind and spirit;
swadhyaya, study of the self;
ishwara-pranidhana, love and devotion to God, surrender of the ego.
Asanas: It means steady postures. A healthy body and a steady posture are very essential for spiritual growth.
Pranayama: Control of Prana. Prana is life force, vital energy, vital breaths.
Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses from objects.
Dharana: Concentration.
Concentrating the mind upon a single external object or a single internal idea.
Dhyana: Meditation. An unbroken flow of attention towards one object.
Samadhi: It is the Super conscious state of perfect knowing. The aspirant has reached an end of his quest which is self-realization.
