From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali comes the "8 Limb" path of yoga... meaning, 8 "branches" that we are to learn from and tussle with, to embody and be our whole, yoked, fully integrated and evolved, selves - according to this classical yogic text. There is a curve-ball though, because the first 2 branches have 5 subdivisions each.

nevertheless!! here are the 8 limbs:

Yamas // practices and contemplations that honor community and interconnection

Niyamas // practices and contemplations that honor the divine within ourselves

Asana // physical practice technology that harmonizes and purifies the bodymind

Pranayama // practices of breath and energy

Pratyahara // connecting our sensory organs and experience to our heart, and chakra body

Dharana // practices of one-pointed concentration on the objects of our devotion (mantra, devata, etc)

Dhyana // practicing sustained meditative focus

Samadhi // blissful union and absorption in Supreme Consciousness

from here, the first two YAMAS are:

(i) Ahimsa = non-harming or non-violence (made noteworthy by Mahatma Ghandi as this was his primary spiritual practice)

(ii) Satya = Truthfullness or sincerity

Ahimsa is the perfected embodiment of Love.

AHIMSA //
non-harming in thought, word or deed.

or a deep cellular inner-peace and goodwill that permeates your every word, thought and deed.

“𝘉𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,
𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴” ⁣

- Yoga Sutra 2.35⁣ .

SATYA // Truthfulness, sincerity.

C O H E R E N C E

a complete integration in all parts of our being that expresses itself as Truth in all that we speak or do.

“As Truthfulness is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the yogin” ⁣ ⁣

- Yoga Sutra 2.36

SATYA has to do with unveiling our own layers of self-deception,
as well as our fractured, compartamentalized or shadow self.

"it is not our minds but the inner voice of our very cells,
which has the power to implement our intentions"
- BKS Iyengar.

AHIMSA AND SATYA IN PRACTICE

The Yamas and Niyamas are both cause and consequence of themselves, and of sadhana, spiritual practice.

It is through our intentional, diligent, earnest and regular efforts on our mat, on our meditation cushion, and in the ways we show up to our lives, that we begin to truly tussle with and understand what these practices mean to us - and how we are to embody them.

What I’m trying to say is that your understanding and adherence to non-violence or loving-kindness, for example, will be different than it is for someone else. For if there is anything we know about this life for certain is that there is no certainty, and much less any “black and white”.

In fact more than “gray zones” we have in our word the whole magnificent rainbow!
and that is a glorious and wonderful thing.

It is also important to note, that we are invited to tussle with being Loving AND Truthful SIMULTANEOUSLY.

OR, interpreted differently, we are challenged to contemplate if a particular thought, word or deed
that is non-loving, is actually in alignment with ultimate Truth.

The 8 limbs of yoga in the classical understanding are meant to be practiced progressively, continuously, AND simultaneously.

There is a magic to sadhana. Something about quieting your mind, and moving with even, aware breathing, purifies the bodymind, and reveals to us the places where we are fractured or in self-deception, and shows us how to re-integrate and evolve from these past patterns, karmas, and samskaras.

We will be contemplating Ahimsa and Satya —- (and the rest of the Yamas and Niyamas in due time) in my coming classes. I would be so delighted if you chose to join us anytime!

Please see my class schedule for details and do not hesitate to email me if you have any question or need help getting signed up for class.

from love,
Natasha

FOOT NOTE:
I do send out extended versions of these study notes and much more to my newsletter recipients (you can sign up in the homepage) AND even more comprehensive and varied notes to the students enrolled in the YOGA STUDIES program.