The path of yog

The global movement, International Day of Yoga, aptly signifies the essence of yog, which means 'to yoke', 'to join', for this occasion has laid down the platform for the world to stand as one, exemplifying unity in diversity. The discipline of yog entails eight steps in progression: yama, niyam, asana, pranayam, pratyahar, dharana, dhyan, and culminating in the highest point of samadhi.

Yama and niyam are the basic guidelines for aspirants. Yama entails five moral codes of conduct for interacting with others: Satya, truthfulness, at the levels of thoughts, speech and actions; ahimsa, non-violence towards others and also towards oneself; asteya, non-stealing, not coveting that which does not belong to oneself; aparigraha, non-hoarding; and brahmacharya, at the physical level it refers to celibacy; for householders, it implies fidelity.

The second limb of Ashtanga Yog, Niyam, lays down the five restraints for self-discipline: shauch, cleanliness, not only outer cleanliness but also purity of mind; santosh, contentment, choice-less acceptance of everything in one's life; tapah, austerity, to bear anything and everything on the spiritual path; swadhyay, self-learning and learning about oneself; ishwara pranidhana, surrendering completely to the will of the Almighty with great devotion.


Diligently practising yama and niyam will culminate in the transcendental experience of samadhi.

June 21 is the International Day of Yoga