Yoga is an ancient system that involves practice for self-reformation, self-control, and self-adjustment. There are four paths of yoga and in this post, you will find out how to begin the Raja path of yoga. Yoga is not just ASANA (physical practice). For many, especially in the Western world, the journey begins physically and then eventually, or maybe immediately, blossoms into something deeper, intimate, and profound. Simply knowing it’s an ancient system conjures up a mental calculation of all the thousands of years of knowledge you have to catch up on; therefore triggering a feeling of overwhelm. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Take a breath. It’s a path, a journey, and you have to enjoy and acknowledge the beautiful scenery and the bad weather along the way. The question that still is being asked quite frequently today is “What is yoga and where do I begin”? Keep reading, and I’ll tell you.
WHAT ARE THE PATHS OF YOGA
Yoga is a practice to reach internal and spiritual freedom from all that ties us down in our very real and human life. There are four paths of yoga: Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja. Bhakti is the path of devotion. Jnana is the path of knowledge and wisdom. Karma is the path of action. Raja is the path of self-discipline and the most known and practiced path in today’s modern world. Without getting into all the paths in this post, we will continue with the Raja Yoga path.
WHERE CAN I BEGIN MY RAJA YOGA JOURNEY
Your yoga journey begins with a commitment to wanting a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual change; an evolution. And when you are ready for this, then you can find your way. Sometimes it’s through trial and error; sometimes a teacher, a lesson, a discussion, or a book simply appears in front of you. My favorite place to guide students is along the Raja Yoga path and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It teaches you how to find your discipline in order to attain internal freedom. The Yoga Sutras are like an ancient “how to” book.
WHAT ARE THE YOGA SUTRAS
The Yoga Sutras are essentially a timeless manual of aphorisms for the study/practice of Raja Yoga. They offer you a way, a path, to master your mind and achieve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harmony. There are 195 sutras written in 4 parts (books): Book One is on contemplation, Book Two is on practice, Book Three is on accomplishments, and Book Four is on absoluteness. The second sutra (1.2) states that the restraint of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff is yoga. It is said that ALL the other sutras explain how to “do or achieve” the second sutra. If the restraint is achieved, then one has achieved yoga! If you can restrain all the thoughts that make your mind a fluctuating mind graph, then you will experience yoga.
WHAT ARE THE 8 LIMBS OF YOGA?
The Sanskrit word ashtanga (not to be confused with Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga popularised by K. Pattabhi Jois) means “asta”= eight and “anga”= limbs. Ashtanga is defined by Patanjali as classical yoga and the way to obtain this restraint of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff is through the 8 limbs;
- Yamas – (abstinence) – things to NOT do
- Niyamas – (observances) – things TO do
- Asana – (posture, physical practice)
- Pranayama – (breathing)
- Pratyahara – (withdrawal from senses)
- Dharana – (focused concentration)
- Dhyana – (meditation)
- Samadhi – (absorption into the infinite, enlightenment)
WHAT ARE THE YAMAS
Start at the beginning- the first limb is called the Yamas. Yama can be translated as “moral discipline” or “restraint” or even as a moral code or vow. Pantajali said that no matter who you are or where you come from, these moral disciplines are relevant; they are universal. The Yamas are practices that affect not only our internal world, but also the world around us. Understanding what the Yamas are and then practicing them daily in small and big moments will eventually start to change your paradigm.
There are 5 Yamas:
- Ahimsa – non-violence (be kind)
- Asteya – non-stealing
- Satya – truthfulness
- Aparigraha – non-greed/possessiveness
- Brahmacharya -non-excess (traditionally celibacy)
Even by choosing to practice one, you can see benefits to the main purpose of yoga; to restrain the fluctuations of the mind-stuff. How, you ask? Keep reading.
HOW TO USE THE YAMAS: (in a very simple way)
- Be kind. It feels good. Being hurtful physically, emotionally, or mentally to yourself or someone else does not feel good and will interfere with the purpose of yoga.
- Don’t steal from anyone even yourself. Don’t steal time by gossiping (also harmful) or take someone’s idea as your own. This will affect your consciousness and your mind and will interfere with the purpose of yoga.
- Be truthful and authentic; in your words and your thoughts. When you hear your mind chattering, ask yourself if it is indeed the truth. If not, then it will interfere with the purpose of yoga.
- Don’t be possessive and hold on to things (attachment), words, feelings, or thoughts. It takes too much energy. Practice letting go and releasing the grip on things. If you don’t, it will interfere with the purpose of yoga.
- Spend your energy where it gives or receives value. Do not waste your energy, it’s precious. If you do, then you guessed it, it will interfere with the purpose of yoga.
As I wrote earlier, even by focusing on one Yama to practice, you will experience benefits. For example, (a very basic one) if you choose Satya, you will notice just by telling the truth and not having to lie (and then remember the lie and add to the lie) that your mind will have more space. Lying takes up space. If you choose Ahimsa and simply start speaking kindly to your internal self, you will notice the benefits of allowing compassion to rule your speech. And that feels good.
START SMALL AND YOU WILL BENEFIT IMMEDIATELY
When you practice the Raja Yoga path, starting with (Yamas) moral codes and being aware of how you feel is going to be amazing. Your mind will quiet down a little more because it will be less harmed, connected to the truth, and free of the heaviness that we sometimes hold on to. You will start to affect those around you. Be the best version of yourself and it will influence your circle and then more circles around you. And then we will live in an enormous circle of really great circles. 🙂 Let me know how it goes.