What Is Patanjali Yoga? | DoYogaWithMe

What Is Patanjali Yoga?

After I first began yoga, I used to be fairly confused. There have been so many varieties on the market—hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga, kundalini…even goat yoga! For myself and plenty of, it looks like standing within the cereal aisle on the grocery retailer attempting to select only one field, whereas being overwhelmed by the range that’s typically offered in a international language! 

So right this moment I’d like that will help you achieve an understanding of Patanjali yoga, which is usually referred to as the unique type of yoga. Patanjali yoga is a complete system that mixes philosophy, breath management, bodily postures, and meditation as a holistic guideline to a greater life, each when it comes to well being and spirituality. 

This yoga type intently follows the knowledge of historic Vedic texts and represents a blueprint for the foundations of most modern yoga types. Let’s see what defines it and units it aside.

Going Again to Yoga’s Roots and Its Holistic Nature

After I say yoga, what involves thoughts? If you happen to’re simply getting conversant in the apply, then it’s most likely fast-paced flows, scorching yoga lessons the place you sweat buckets, and energy yoga periods that really feel extra like a health club exercise than a relaxing expertise that grounds your feelings.

There’s nothing unsuitable with this picture—it’s simply how issues have reworked. It’s nonetheless yoga, tailor-made to suit into fast-paced lives, busy schedules, and sedentary workplace jobs that make us scream: bodily exercise, please!

We stay in a world the place time is a luxurious, and for a lot of, if it does not get the center pumping, it may not appear well worth the squeeze.

In a standard sense, yoga is a holistic system of moral rules, beliefs, non secular observations, and several other strategies for thoughts and breath management. Its essence is about connecting the thoughts, physique, and spirit as a solution to obtain enlightenment.

Cue Patanjali yoga right here, which teaches yoga as a extra conventional and holistic way of life, moderately than merely a bodily train.

Who Was Patanjali?

I wish to assume that if yoga had a wall of fame, Patanjali could be the one who would have an enormous statue, proper on the entrance. He’s sort of a giant deal within the yoga world—and never as a result of he may grasp the hardest asanas or management his heartbeat—he was a gifted storyteller who was in a position to perceive the Vedas and manage their historic knowledge into an easy-to-follow system on how one can apply yoga as a lifestyle.

Due to this, Patanjali is usually regarded as the daddy of yoga. He didn’t invent yoga, however he was the primary to jot down down its rules in a means that folks may perceive and observe in his assortment, The Yoga Sutras.

To be trustworthy, not a lot else is understood about Patanjali as an individual. Some say he was a sage, a scholar, or perhaps a pseudonym for a number of folks’s writing. However no matter who he or they have been, the impression on yoga and its practitioners is eternal. Via the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali laid the groundwork for a apply that’s as a lot about internal peace and self-discovery as it’s about bodily well being.

You’ll be able to learn all about The Yoga Sutras in our detailed overview of the subject, which is why I gained’t go into the small print right here. As a substitute, let’s discover out what Patanjali yoga teaches and what are you able to count on if you wish to begin working towards it.

What Does Patanjali Yoga Train?

When discussing Patanjali yoga, we’re speaking a couple of apply that’s extra holistic and conventional—one which follows the steps outlined by the sage Patanjali towards enlightenment. This may be a apply that takes completely different items, equivalent to moral rules, self-discipline, meditation, and breath work, and integrates them right into a system that promotes internal peace and self-discovery, together with bodily well being.

Patanjali described this method because the eight limbs of yoga, typically known as the eightfold path in yoga.

Whereas they’re named “limbs” you can even consider them as steps to the last word purpose of yoga, which based on Patanjali is samadhi (bliss or enlightenment).

These eight steps embody:

• ethical disciplines or ethical vows (yamas)
• constructive duties or private practices (niyamas)
• bodily postures (asanas)
• strategies for breath management (pranayama)
• practices to withdraw the senses (pratyahara)
• practices for focus (dharana)
• practices for meditation (dhyana)
• state of bliss (samadhi)

To greatest perceive how one can apply Patanjali’s yoga by way of his eightfold path, we will divide it into three components.

The primary half explains the conduct in direction of yoga—in different phrases, it instructs the scholar how one can apply. The second half covers the perspective in direction of oneself that the practitioner ought to attempt to grasp. Lastly, the third half focuses on the non secular journey.

Apply Patanjali Yoga

The eight steps, nonetheless very a lot related right this moment, function pointers for a significant and purposeful life. Right here’s how they might be translated into fashionable apply.

Observe the Moral Tips

The yamas (ethical disciplines) are all about moral requirements and integrity, specializing in how the practitioner must behave in life, each in direction of their apply and their environment.

They embody 5 rules that you need to attempt to uphold when working towards Patanjali yoga. In truth, you need to most likely uphold them no matter whether or not you’re working towards yoga or not.

Non-Violence

The primary yama is ahimsa, which suggests non-violence. And, earlier than you go “Nicely…duh!” take into account that non-violence on this sense refers to working towards kindness in all facets of life. This consists of doing non-harm in ideas, phrases, and actions in direction of others and your self.

In our world, being type to and respecting different folks is fairly necessary, however being type to oneself shouldn’t be typically talked about. But, Patanjali acknowledges it as a necessary ingredient of well-being and internal peace.

However ahimsa means non-violence in direction of all beings, not simply people. Due to this, many individuals interpret this ethical self-discipline as an advocacy for a vegetarian food regimen.

Would this imply that you simply’ll must be vegetarian to apply Patanjali yoga? It’s a subject open for debate and a few colleges promote vegetarianism, whereas others are extra lax. In any case, it’s a good suggestion to talk together with your yoga trainer about this earlier than you decide to the apply.

Truthfulness

Being trustworthy, or satya, highlights the significance of the way you talk with others. If you happen to’re working towards Patanjali yoga, you need to at all times attempt to inform the reality. However, take into account that you shouldn’t use that as an excuse to be impolite.

Non-Stealing

That is one other one which at a look, looks as if the obvious factor ever. Stealing is against the law. However, in Patanjali yoga, asteya extends past not taking what isn’t yours and consists of not coveting others’ possessions, achievements, and even concepts. 

Moreover, asteya additionally refers to not stealing your personal or another person’s time, being conscious of and respecting their schedule and priorities.

Continence

Okay, this one is a bit powerful, because it was historically seen as celibacy, however many individuals and colleges interpret it in a much wider sense to imply the accountable use of vitality (sure, together with sexual vitality).

The essence of brahmacharya is self-control and never giving in to our urges. Relying on the way you interpret this idea, it could embody not consuming greater than you want or within the late hours, sporting jewellery or cosmetics, indulging in luxuries, and so forth.

Subsequently, a dedicated yoga practitioner is somebody who may be very restrained and lives a minimalistic and easy life.

Non-Possessiveness

Aparigraha is the ethical vow that encourages practitioners to let go of greed and materialism. Equally to continence, non-possessiveness is about displaying restraint.

Subsequently, should you apply Patanjali yoga, you need to attempt to let go of all of the issues that you simply don’t want and give attention to decreasing your “needs.”

Embrace the Self-Restrictive Rules

Whereas even the yamas might be interpreted as self-restrained, particularly on the subject of indulgences, the niyamas are thought of extra private observances. They embody:

•  Saucha (Purity): This precept promotes hygiene of the physique, thoughts, and the issues that you simply come into contact with, together with your room, home, and any private objects.
• Santosha (Contentment): That is about discovering happiness in what you will have, moderately than being upset about what you don’t have. It encourages folks to just accept themselves as they’re and to let go of adverse feelings or a adverse self-image.
• Tapas (Self-discipline): You have to be constant and apply frequently and with ardour. Nevertheless, this precept additionally extends to every thing else in life, being self-disciplined and seeing issues by way of.
• Svadhyaya (Self-Examine): Realizing oneself is one other advantage that practitioners ought to domesticate. This may be developed by way of self-study (introspection) and the examine of sacred texts.
• Ishvara Pranidhana (Give up to a Greater Energy): Lastly, practitioners ought to let go of their ego and have one thing larger than themselves to consider in.

Asana, Pranayama, and Pratyahara

Along with the niyamas, practices that additionally promote self-discipline and private development embody asana, pranayama, and pratyahara.

The asanas are most likely what most individuals consider once they hear “yoga.” Nevertheless, in Patanjali yoga, there aren’t actually particular postures (like we all know them right this moment) that it’s essential to grasp, however they moderately confer with your posture on the whole, as you undergo life. The phrase asana is simply talked about in 3 of the 195 aphorisms. Patanjali believed that the postures must be regular and comfy, practiced with meditation, and free from judgment, so these are the issues you need to give attention to.

Pranayama refers to breath management and is one other frequent facet of recent practices. In keeping with Patanjali, practitioners ought to apply respiration strategies to grasp the respiratory course of whereas recognizing the connection between the breath, the thoughts, and the feelings.

Lastly, as a Patanjali yoga scholar, you’ll must apply introspection or pratyahara, which is the act of withdrawing the senses (and a focus) inward, away from exterior distractions. The purpose is to enhance your internal consciousness.

Decide to a Non secular Journey

On high of the moral pointers, restrictions, and self-care practices, you’re additionally anticipated to nurture your spirituality and prepare your thoughts to grasp the ability of stillness and focus. 

Patanjali believed that this non secular path might be achieved by way of three phases.

1. Dharana (Focus)

First up is focus, or dharana—the apply that may lead you to deeper self-awareness. You’ll study to give attention to a single level or thought with out permitting distractions to take over. This may very well be so simple as focusing in your breath, a mantra, or perhaps a candle flame.

Attempt dharana in your day by day routine by dedicating a couple of minutes every morning to sitting quietly and focusing solely in your respiration. Each time your thoughts wanders, gently information it again. 

When you grasp dharana, you’ll be able to strive dhyana. 

2. Dhyana (Meditation)

Dhyana or meditation is one other essential facet of Patanjali yoga, one which’s needed on your journey to samadhi. Nevertheless, working towards it requires plenty of coaching and dedication.

Meditation is usually described as a steady movement of thought and consciousness in direction of the article of your focus. It’s additionally the state the place the thoughts turns into quiet and the physique continues to be.

When working towards Patanjali yoga, progressively improve the time you spend in targeted focus to ease into meditation. Apps or guided meditations might be useful but additionally strive sitting in silence, permitting your self to turn out to be absorbed within the stillness. The secret is consistency—even 5-10 minutes a day can considerably impression your skill to succeed in deeper states of meditation.

3. Samadhi (Bliss or Enlightenment)

After years and years of working towards dhyana and turning into higher at it, you might be fortunate to expertise samadhi. In keeping with Patanjali, samadhi is the ultimate step in his eightfold path to yoga, and the last word purpose of the apply.

Samadhi is described as a serene and joyful state of consciousness the place the individual meditating can now not distinguish themselves from the meditation course of or preserve any distinct private identification (in a great way!). This state transcends the ego and the false notion of being separate out of your atmosphere, permitting one to expertise undisturbed peace, free from feelings like longing and irritation.

On this sense, samadhi aligns people with their genuine Self, merging them with the common consciousness.

And sadly, there’s no single factor that you are able to do to expertise samadhi. It’s one thing that comes because of an genuine and devoted apply, and you will need to consider in it.

Enrich Your Day by day Apply

As we start to find Patanjali yoga, from the bodily postures to the profound depths of meditation and non secular enlightenment, it turns into clear that this historic apply is rather more than a sweaty train.

Patanjali yoga takes a extra holistic strategy to well being and psychological well-being, balancing our physique, thoughts, and spirit with one purpose: to assist us turn out to be one with common consciousness.

As a substitute of a bodily apply, you need to consider it as a life-style adjustment—a blueprint for residing a lifetime of goal, stability, and internal peace. By embracing moral rules and self-disciplinary practices and committing to a non secular journey, you open your self as much as a transformative expertise that extends past the yoga mat.

So, as you fold up your yoga mat and step again into the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life, consider what you wish to get out of your apply and whether or not such a life-style, as envisioned by Patanjali, could be one thing that you simply wish to put money into.

No matter what your selection is, you possibly can at all times depend on DoYogaWithMe to help your resolution with insightful assets, free lessons, guided meditations, a close-knit neighborhood, and enjoyable yoga retreats.