For most westerners yoga is physical movement, with a little bit of relaxation and meditation which is beneficial for the mind. For some people this is enough - and that is fine!
However there are eight limbs of yoga and each one needs to be achieved before reaching spiritual enlightenment.
There is a lot to each one, but here is a short summary of each in layman's terms for you.
1. Yama
Yama refers to self restraints, or how we behave in relation to other people. One way of thinking of Yama is to consider the rule we have all heard as children (perhaps in scripture!) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The areas of Yama include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, abstinence (meaning not using sexual energy to harm others) and non-possessiveness.
2. Niyama
Niyama is self-discipline or observances. Niyama includes personal cleanliness, contentment, spirituality, self study and the surrender to God (whatever God may mean to you. It doesn't necessarily have to mean a God from a particular religion, but any higher power - such as the universe).
3. Asana
This is where most Westerners began their study of yoga. Asana is the physical postures we think of when we say yoga. Through Asana we take control of our physical body, which allows us to sit easily in meditation.
4. Pranayama
Pranayama is control of life force, or prana. In a yoga class you will often perform breathing exercises such as this one which help to purify the body. In yoga the breath has strong connections to the mind and emotions. Pranayama is the last limb which is related to the physical body.
5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the withdrawal of the senses. This is when yogis begin to sit and move their awareness to their inner world, and away from external distractions or senses.
6. Dharana
Dharana is when we start to steady the mind. As you will be aware, your mind becomes extremely active when you try to think of nothing! Yogis may use a single point to focus on, such as the breath, and object or a mantra. Practicing extended periods of concentration leads onto meditation.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana is the stage of meditation of contemplation. When starting to learn meditation, we may think that dharana and dhyana are very similar. The difference in that dharana is a single-pointed focus or concentration, where dhyana is moving beyond this, to a state of being without focus. Here the mind is still without thought.
8. Samadhi
This is the final stage of yoga, spiritual enlightenment or pure bliss. It is said that at this point, the yogi merges with their point of focus and transcends the Self altogether!
