Yamas and Niyamas in Yoga. Principles of Spiritual Life

The sage Patanjali established yoga as a discipline of eight practices, or Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga consists of three main groups. The first two practices are yama and niyama. Together they create the moral foundation of the practitioner's behavior. Yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances) develop ethical conduct to achieve spiritual goals. The second group consists of external practices, which include asanas, pranayamas, and pratyahara. This group is known as hatha yoga. These practices primarily focus on physical disciplines. They strengthen the body, enhance vital energy, and calm the mind. The third group is known as raja yoga, which consists of internal practices of dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. The practice of raja yoga is a practice of mental concentration, which is necessary to achieve the state of superconsciousness, or samadhi. Those who intend to follow the path of spiritual enlightenment must first purify the body, mind, and heart, the dwelling places of the spirit.