Eight Members of the Yoga Practice according to Patanjali - Ashtanga (8-member) Yoga
One of the profound truths captured by these eight members is the need to develop the entire spectrum of body and mind as a complete system. Kundalini Yoga includes all eight members in each sadhana or complete set.
PATHINDJALI IDENTIFIED EIGHT RELATED ASPECTS OF YOGA PRACTICE somewhere between 200 and 600 AD. These eight members are as fundamental to steady progress in purifying the mind as they are to distinguishing the real from the illusory. They are referred to as „members” or „parts” rather than degrees, to emphasise their interrelated nature. The members of the body grow gradually in a reciprocal relationship to each other, allowing for uninterrupted coordinated use of all of them.
SAMADHI Awakening and absorption in spirit
DHYANA Deep meditation
DHARANA One-pointed concentration
PRATYAHAR Synchronisation of senses and thoughts
PRANAYAM Control of prana (life force)
ASANA Positions for health and meditation
NIYAMA Five disciplines (see below)
YAMA Five constraints (see below)
The above list sets these eight members like the rungs of a ladder, losing the dynamic aspects of the individual members, but highlighting the nature of practice from the most unsubtle and accessible (ethical behaviour) to the most subtle and elusive (spiritual or mystical melding).
In the West, most popularisations of these techniques tend to emphasise one or the other end of this ladder. Either the body is cultivated without chanting and meditation, or the mind is cultivated through meditation, but without building physical stability through exercise. Both lead to imbalance, physically and emotionally. One of the profound truths captured in these eight members is the need to develop the whole spectrum of body and mind as a complete system. Kundalini Yoga includes all these eight members in each sadhana or in a complete set of exercises.
Yama and niyama
At the core of the eight-member path are yama and niyama. Yama is the choice to practice moral restraint in external interactions, and niyama is the observance of daily practices designed to purify the inner connection with the Self.
YAMA
Ahimsa (non-harming). Compassion, patience, love towards others, love towards self, value and understanding.
Satya (truthfulness). Honesty, forgiveness, non-judgement, owning feelings, loving communication, releasing masks.
Asteya (not stealing). Righteous use of things, releasing envy, cultivating a sense of self-sufficiency and wholeness.
Brahmacharya (controlling the senses). Channeling emotions, moderation.
Aparigraha (non-lust). Satisfying needs, not lusts.
NIYAMA
Shaucha (purity). Equality of mind, thought, speech. Purity of the body.
Santosha (contentment). Gratitude, acceptance, peace in the face of both success and failure.
Tapas (purification, enthusiasm). Determination, the will to practice.
Svaddhyaya (study). Reflection, meditation, expansion of knowledge.
Ishvara pranidhana (devotion, surrender). Faith, devotion.
Eight members and three minds
The negative mind is mastered masterfully through YAMA and NIYAMA.
The positive mind is mastered through ASANA and PRANAYAM.
The neutral mind is mastered by PRATYAHAR, DHARANA, DHYANA and SAMADHI.
Eight members and five non-subjective elements
Earth: habits - confronted by YAMA.
Water: emotional reflexes - led by NIYAMA.
Fire: energy and drive for action - nurtured by ASANA.
Air: sensitivity and feelings - guided by PRANAYAM.
Ether: the inner creative space - which can be navigated through PRATJAHAR, DHARANNA, DHYANA AND SAMADHI.