Did you know that yoga is an eight-fold path? In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali creates an outline for our personal journey to freedom from suffering. The 8 Limbs of Yoga acknowledge that we have all the answers to life inside of us. To access those answers we need to pay attention to our inner world by using our bodies, minds, and breath to understand who we really are, what we're here to do, and how we can share our gifts and purpose with the rest of the world in a positive way.

The goal of yoga is self-realization. So how do we do it? Here are the 8 Limbs, and some may sound familiar.

If you practiced with me last year, you may recall the first two limbs of yoga: the Yamas and Niyamas. Respectively, these are the ethical restraints that help us live in right relationship with others and the rituals or observances we take with ourselves to move towards inner peace.

The 3rd limb is Asana, the poses, movements, or the physical practice of yoga. This is what comes to mind for most when they think of yoga. Interestingly, asana is mentioned only three times in the Yoga Sutras and simply as a way to sit for pranayama and meditation.

Pranayama, or breath control, is the 4th Limb, and it's followed by Pratyahara, the withdrawal of the five senses. This is the pause in the midst of all the stimuli surrounding us so that the next thing we do is take the right action instead of a negative, regrettable reaction.

One of my teachers says the first 5 limbs are taught, and the last 3 limbs are caught as these are best learned through direct personal experience.

Dharana is single-pointed focus and concentration on one object in order to prepare the mind for Dhyana, a flow state in which you have a pure connection with Self. Continuing here can lead to Samadhi, the highest state of consciousness. Here there are no labels, descriptions, or barriers. Our thoughts are still and our mind is no longer aware of itself. Samadhi is also known as the blissful state of enlightenment.

In our classes this month, we will focus on asana as we normally do, but with an intention of understanding what we are doing and why we are doing it. Spoiler alert: It's not to get a "yoga butt," whatever that is.