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Yamas Universal Morality
Yamas
Broken down into five characteristics, Yamas show our fundamental
nature consists of compassion, generosity, honesty and peace.
3. Asteya Non-stealing
Not taking anything that has not been freely given or misusing that which
has. This includes fostering a consciousness of how we ask for others time.
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As roots are a principal element for a healthy growing tree, 5. Aparigraha Generosity of spirit & action
Yamas are the foundation for living a clear and honorable life. With an understanding that change is the only constant, do not take more
YO H than what is necessary and avoid attachment with things.
GA PAT
Niyama Personal Observances
The five characteristics of niyamas refer to the attitude we adopt
toward ourselves as we create a code for living soulfully.
1. Sauca Purity
While maintaining outer cleanliness, our inner cleanliness has to do with the
healthy functioning of our bodily organs and clarity of our mind.
2. Santosa Contentment
There is a purpose for everything and we should cultivate a contentment
'to accept what happens'. From lifes difficulties comes a process of growth.
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As the trunk connects the absorbing roots to its leafy crown. 5. Isvarapranidhana Celebration of the Spiritual
Niyama reinforces purity throughout the body and mind. The spiritual suffuses everything and through our attention and care we can
YO H attune ourselves with our role as part of the Creator.
GA PAT
Pratyahara Control of the Senses
In yoga, the term pratyahara implies withdrawal of the senses from at-
tachment to external objects.
When our senses stop living off of things that stimulate, the senses no
longer depend on these stimulants and are not fed by them any more.
So with the practice of non-attachment to sensorial distractions, we can
constantly return to the path of self realization and achievement of
internal peace.
HTFOLD
In a sense, yoga is nothing more than a process which enables us to stop
E IG and look at the natural processes of our own minds; only in this way can
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As bark contains a tree's essence and protects it from outer elements,
we understand the nature of happiness and unhappiness, and transcend
Pratyahara focuses on inward awareness and objective reflection.
them both.
YO H
GA PAT
Dharana
Concentration & Awareness
The general purpose of Dharna is to stop the mind from wandering
through memories, dreams, or reflective thought so our mind, intellect,
and ego are "all restrained and all these faculties are offered to the Lord
for His use and in His service. Here there is no feeling of 'I' and 'mine'."
By focusing in one direction, other activities of the mind fall away. Then
by holding this concentration, the mind can be stilled and achieve this
state of complete absorption.
When the mind has become purified by yoga practices, it becomes able
to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience. Only then can
HTFOLD we can unleash the great potential for inner healing.
E IG
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As sap absorbs and transfers the tree's inner energy to link it as one,
Dharana uses focused intent to absorb and promote inner growth.
YO H
GA PAT
Asanas - Body Postures
The practice of moving the body into postures has widespread benefits;
the most underlying are improved health, strength, balance and flexibil-
ity.
Asanas
On a deeper level the practice of asanas can be used as a tool to calm
the mind and move into the inner essence of being. The challenge of
poses offers the practitioner the opportunity to explore and control all
aspects of their emotions, concentration, intent, faith, and unity between
the physical and the ethereal body.
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As branches become strong and flexible when moving with the wind,
begins with the control of breath, the fourth limb Pranayama.
Anasas are physical postures which challenge and strenghen our will.
YO H
GA PAT
Pranayama - Breath Control
Pranayama controls the energy (prana) within the organism, in order
to restore and maintain health and to promote evolution. When the
in-flowing breath is neutralized or joined with the out-flowing breath,
Leaves
then perfect relaxation and balance of body activities are realized.
Pranayama goes hand in hand with many of the other elements in the
eightfold path.
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As the leaves draw energy and nutrients from the earth's elements,
Pranayama draws in life force through the practice of breath control.
YO H
GA PAT
Dhyana
Devotion , Meditation on the Divine
The concept holds that when one focuses their mind in concentration on
an object, the mind is transformed into the shape of the object. Hence,
when one focuses on the divine they become more reflective of it and
they know its true nature.
HTFOLD This state can be reached by using meditation as a tool to see things
E IG
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As flowers are the blooming result of a healthy tree, free from decay, clearly and to constant inquiry into the nature of things.
Dyana uses uninterrupted concentration to reveal an enlightened reality.
YO H
GA PAT
Samadhi - Union with the Divine
In this final step in the eight-fold path of Yoga, one is to merge all the
previous steps together.
In the state of samadhi the body and senses are at rest, as if asleep, yet
the faculty of mind and reason are alert, as if awake; one goes beyond
consciousness.
The mind does not distinguish between self and non-self, or between
the object contemplated and the process of contemplation. The mind
and the intellect have stopped and there is only the experience of con-
HTFOLD
sciousness, truth and unutterable joy.
E IG
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As the fruit is the result of a tree's elements functioning in unity,
Samadhi is the blissful essence of realizing our true identity.
YO H
GA PAT