Raja Yoga – The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali
The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, is the classic text of Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga).
As it is common with ancient texts, their precise dating can be challenging, but it is estimated to be between 5000 BC to 200 AD. It details the theory and practice of Raja Yoga, divided in 4 books, called Padas, containing a collection of 196 aphorisms. Some of them are very foreign to our modern culture, and some of them are pragmatic and relevant today. It never ceases to amaze me how students are awed each time they learn of certain Sutras, where they immediately recognize how they can have a positive, direct, and immediate impact on their lives.
The Second Book, Pada 2, is on Sadhana or Practice, and it details the eight branches of Raja Yoga.
The eight practices are:
Yama – social observance
Niyama – personal observance
Asana – pose
Pranayama – breathing control exercise, vital force expanding exercises
Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – concentration
Dhyana – meditation
Samadhi – self absorption
The Yamas (social observances) are five:
Ahimsa – non harming other living beings, this would include nature
Satya – truthfulness
Asteya – non stealing from one self and others, not just material peace, but concepts such as respect, health, etc.
Brahmacharya – chastity or in modern times also interpreted as moderation
Aparigraha – non avarice, non hoarding, non possessiveness
The Niyamas (personal observances) are five:
Saucha – purity at all levels
Santosha – contentment
Tapas – self discipline, austerity, tenacity
Svadhyaya – self reflection, introspection of self’s thoughts, speech and actions
Ishvarapranidhana – contemplation of the Supreme Being whatever you may conceive it to be
The first Yama, in a way, is the Pivot from which all others should emanate.
Ahimsa or Non-Harming
It is central to everything we do in Yoga. Non-harming of our body, mind, and emotions. Non-harming of other people’s body, mind and emotions. Non-Harming of the environment.
If you are practicing Yoga, do so trying to honor your body, recognizing its gifts and limitations, and working in a manner that honors your whole self, without hosting negative thoughts or feelings towards yourself.
If you are teaching Yoga, then do so attentive to your language, both in words and in tone, to transfer the knowledge of how to practice in a way that honors each person with the sacred promise never to harm them in any way, but to help lead them toward their own wellbeing.
Ahimsa for a Yoga Teacher must be the North Star that guides all we do. If we only learn one principle, this is the essential one.