Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga
See how ethical conduct, posture, breath, and meditation fit together in Iyengar’s reading of the Yoga Sutras.
Journal
Yoga, breathing, and attention through B. K. S. Iyengar’s Heart of the Yoga Sutras.
Foundations and attention
Chitta and vritti in the Yoga Sutras
Learn how Patanjali describes consciousness and the five kinds of mental activity in the opening sutras.
Kleshas and antarayas in yoga practice
Distinguish sources of suffering, movements of consciousness, and obstacles that interrupt practice.
Ethics and regular practice
Abhyasa and vairagya in a steady yoga practice
Patanjali pairs sustained practice with nonattachment. See how Iyengar connects regular effort with our expectations about results.
The three elements of kriya yoga
Explore discipline, self-study, and dedication to Ishvara in Patanjali’s second chapter and Iyengar’s commentary.
Yama and niyama in everyday life
A guide to the ten ethical principles that begin the eight-limbed path and how they inform daily choices.
Posture, breathing, and meditation
Steadiness and ease in asana
How Iyengar reads Patanjali’s definition of posture and what you can notice about effort and support.
The role of breath in pranayama
Where breath regulation fits in Patanjali’s system and how it differs from observing natural breathing.
Pratyahara and the role of the senses
How turning the senses inward connects breath practice with concentration in Iyengar’s reading.
Dharana, dhyana, and samadhi
The three inward limbs of yoga and how Patanjali brings them together as samyama.