Raja Yoga is a truly life-changing teaching. The name itself conveys the profound significance of this style of yoga. Raja means "king," thus it is the "royal" yoga. The eight stages/limbs of this yoga style are unique and can transform the yogi's life in a lasting way. If you would like to learn more about royal yoga and embark on this path, you can read this article. It will inspire you to greater inner freedom.
Raja Yoga: Definition and a short explanation
Yoga is a very ancient teaching and encompasses various techniques for achieving enlightenment and mastery of the mind. Unlike traditional yoga styles such as Hatha Yoga , Kundalini Yoga, or Yin Yoga, Raja Yoga relies on different fundamental principles. Raja Yoga is one of the four paths of yoga; the other three are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.
Raja comes from the ancient Sanskrit teachings and means "king" or "ruler." All this knowledge goes back to the wise man Patanjali , who remains a well-known name in this field to this day. He wrote the Yoga Sutra, which can also be described as a guide to yoga. Many equate Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed yoga) with Raja Yoga.
The goal of Raja Yoga is to let go of "control" over the mind, which is often difficult these days. Many people are so overwhelmed by their daily lives and all the challenges they face that this is reflected in a very restless mind.
What can you do to calm yourself down?
Depending on your personality and the challenge you face, there are various ways to become calmer. Raja Yoga uses various meditation techniques, breathing techniques (pranayama), and physical asanas. Of course, self-observation is also essential for becoming calmer and more aware, as well as for going through everyday life with greater focus.
The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga: On the Path to a Free Spirit
Many people are restless and turn to yoga for this problem. Raja Yoga helps you become calmer and more peaceful within. The reason people are so scattered and restless is the kleshas. These are the passions that cloud and confuse the mind and thoughts.
- Fear of death (Abhinivesha)
- too much selfishness (Asmita)
- Knowledge that is not true (Avidya)
- Adhering to certain preferences (Raga)
- Excessive aversion (Dvesha)
The goal of Raja Yoga is not to completely eliminate all these passions. Instead, it is important that you follow the path of Ashtanga Marga and reduce the influence of the kleshas on your behavior.
Overview: the eight limbs of Raja Yoga
The following section introduces the eight limbs of Raja Yoga. The order in which they are performed is not important. However, in order to develop spiritually, all steps must be practiced and studied.
1. Yamas (dealing with the world, environment)
We don't live alone in this world, so it's essential that we live in harmony with the environment. Our interactions with other living beings are important. Yama is divided into five sub-themes, each of which is already very intensively addressed (e.g., Ahimsa : striving for the absence of injustice, treating all living beings with respect, Asteya : not stealing or taking what isn't yours, etc.).
2. Niyamas (how to deal with yourself)
This section is about engaging with and reflecting on oneself. Here, too, there are five sub-points that demonstrate how one's mind and body should be treated, for example, shaucha (purity of the body), santosha (modesty with one's possessions), svadhyaya (exploration of one's self), etc.
3. Asanas (physical exercises)
The asanas are almost the most well-known aspect of the eight-limbed path and the aspect that many people in the Western world also practice. There are countless different yoga exercises for the mat that harmonize body, mind, and soul. They also increase the practitioner's life energy and physical vitality. The effect of the exercise naturally always depends on the yoga style; Hatha Yoga has a different effect than Vinyasa, yet they all help people achieve inner peace.
4. Pranayama (breathing techniques)
This point is also relatively well-known, as people all over the world practice breathing exercises in their daily lives. This requires a good degree of physical discipline. Prana is the energy that surrounds us all. There are various breathing exercises, most of which involve the same components:
- Exhale
- Hold your breath with empty lungs
- Inhale
- Holding your breath with full lungs
5. Pratyahara (dealing with the senses)
This section is about controlling the senses. Pratyahara describes the withdrawal of the senses to protect yogis from sensory overload. Furthermore, no one is distracted from the essential tasks. This allows you to increase mindfulness.
6. Dhyana (meditation)
In this stage, you'll learn about meditation. The goal of a meditator is to have fewer thoughts in their head while resting on the cushion , or to let them drift away. This is very difficult, especially for beginners, but with time and a little practice, you'll get better and better. With enough practice, you'll notice physical and mental differences; even in stressful situations, Raja Yoga helps you remain calmer and more focused.
7. Dharana (concentration)
If you want to take this path, you should learn to concentrate completely on one thing. No one should be constantly distracted. In this context, try to focus on one specific thing during the exercise. Over time, this will become easier.
8. Samadhi (inner freedom)
This point marks the culmination of the path and the goal of every yogi. The goal is to achieve the state of absolute being: a moment in which you can merge with reality, become one with God, and feel all knowledge within you.
How can you integrate these stages into your life?
These stages may seem very challenging at first and will naturally require a lot of time to integrate into your life. Initially, it's important that you know all these elements and gradually incorporate them into your daily routine. Everyone will have different preferences.
- Do everything at your own pace and don't let yourself get stressed.
- Don't compare yourself
- Read a book for more information to gain a better understanding.
- Find like-minded people with whom you can be motivated to follow the path
