Yoga Is Not About Being Bendy: Embracing the Eight Limbs for Mind-Body Connection January 11, 2026
- rockbriarfarm
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Clarifying what yoga is has always been an important part of my teaching. As one who was intimidated to take yoga classes and who did not summon courage to do so until age 40, I strive in my own practice to be clear in communicating my beliefs about what yoga is. Yoga is not an exercise regime, a religion or a cult. It is a spiritual practice which focuses on meditation, breathing and physical movements; the goal being harmony between mind and body. The pursuit of yoga should be an inclusive, welcoming experience and no one should feel intimidated by the idea of starting a practice or attending a yoga class. We should be excited, inspired, nurtured and strengthened by yoga. Yoga has nothing to do with how flexible or hypermobile someone is or what yoga outfit they are wearing. Really, Nothing. In yoga experiences, I have found this overwhelmingly to be true. Have there been exceptions? sure, but they have not been the rule. So, again, what is yoga?
I start every year, lately, asking myself and my fellow yogis, this question. In addressing this question, I revisit the 8 limbs of yoga and learn a bit more each time.
We can take inspiration from the ancient text, The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. This text is sort of a handbook on how to proceed along your path to a meaningful and purposeful life and ultimately spiritual enlightenment. Living our yoga off the mat. Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutras that the purpose of yoga is to “control of fluctuations in the mind” and the literal translation of yoga means “to yoke” or join. In fact, in Patanjali’s eight-fold path, only one of the 8 steps or limbs, the asanas, refers to physical practice or poses.The other 7 relate to breath, rules to live your life by and meditation. Rather than short term goals, taken as a whole, the 8 limbs are like a guidebook for a life lived with both ethical and moral behavior as well as self-discipline.
As we enter the new year, focusing on recommitting to finding the bits of joy that we have neglected, let’s find inspiration, yet again, by exploring the eight limbs. As we greet new students along the way or begin our own practice, this road map will provide guidance not only for our yoga journey but also our life journey. I truly believe this and love sharing it with you all.
To give you an overview of the 8 limbs, please see below, taken from an article at chopra.com called “What are the Eight Limbs of Yoga?”
1. The Yamas are rules of moral code and include ahimsa (non-violence or non-harming), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), bramacharya (sexual restraint), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
2. The Niyamas are rules of personal behavior including saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (discipline or austerity), svadhyaya (spiritual studies), and Ishvara Pranidhana (constant devotion to God).
3. Asana refers to yoga postures but in Patanjali’s initial practice, it referred to mastering the body to sit still for meditation. The practice of yoga asanas came about eight centuries later, which helped disciples ready their bodies for meditation.
4. Pranayama is yoga breathing techniques designed to control prana or vital life force.
5. Pratyahara means withdrawal of the senses.
6. Dharana refers to concentration.
7. Dhyana is the practice of meditation.
8. Samadhi is merging with the divine.
Are you excited to learn more?
I love this article put out by the Ministry of External Affairs in India about the history and practice of yoga.
Meditation On - What Yoga Is for You
If we focus on the definition of yoga as the yoking of mind, body and breath, we realize that many things that we do in life fit that definition. Things like hiking in nature, swimming, gardening all can help us find the calming, balance of that a traditional practice provides. Since the goal is to find that ultimate place of enlightenment, peace of mind, samahdi, if we get there by a walk in the woods, is this not also yoga?
This week I encourage you to think outside the yoga box, finding yoga in some of your other activities. Read about the 8-limb path of yoga and think about where your activities may fit in.
” Move your joints every day. You must find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself.” — Sri Dharma Mittra
Yoga – Danna Faulds
Yoga is not about the pose.
it’s not the alignment of
toes or hips or shoulders.
it’s not about the form.
Yoga in an invitation to
explore, not a command
performance. It speaks
the language of the soul.
In the flow of breath and
motion, yoga coaxes us
from the confines of the
known, across the silent
threshold into vastness.
Yoga is the union of prayer
and movement, guided from
inside. It is healing and the
joy of saying yes to life.
Breathe, relax and feel the
body receive its own truth.
the seed of freedom flowers
within each of us whenever
we are open to what’s real.
Nurturing with Food (Clean Eating) - Vegan Pho
As we head into the new year, we may think about eating more healthily, cutting out meat or sugar or dairy or alcohol. Whatever makes us feel better is likely a good option. A plant-based diet (or replacing one meal a day, a week with plant based) may be something you would like to experiment with. When I feel like I need a diet reset, clean eating always appeals to me and makes me feel better. One of my go-to “clean” foods is Pho. There are many more complicated recipes for this out there, this simple one can be put together quickly and tastes great!
Here is a Harvard based article on the pros and pitfalls of clean eating.
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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