Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s10.t7.26

v1.c7.s10.t7.26

The *Yoga-sutra* describes the framework of yoga practices as consisted of the “Eight Limbs of Yoga”, ie Yamas, Niyamas, Yoga Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. “Yamas” refers to a set of binding “laws”, principles or restraints that must be obeyed by a yogi; “Niyamas” refers to the moral “observances” that a yogi must uphold and exercise; “Yoga Asanas” refers to a steady, firm body position a yogi must adopt and maintain while practising Yoga, which will help them ward off external influences or distractions; “Pranayama” refers to a yogi’s regulating and control of his or her breathing after practice is done; “Withdrawal” refers to “Pratyahara” refers to the withdrawal of the five senses from external objects, so as to prevent the mind from getting distracted by the external world; “Dharana” is the fixing of the mind in a single spot (any chosen object); “Dhyana” is a progression of dharana, ie Sustained concentration on the chosen object; “Samadhi” is a further progression of “Dhyana”, and is the highest state of wisdom for Yogi practitioners to attain.