Branches of yoga:
The eight branches or “angas” of yoga are:
1. “Yama”: The five abstentions to be practiced in one’s life namely -stealing, untruth, violence, illicit sex and greed.
2. “Niyama”:The five rules of life to be followed namely- learning, asceticism ,gratification, purity, and worship or prayer of god.
3. “Asana”: the sitting position in which the yoga practises are carried out.
4. “Pranayam”: The control of “Prana” or the “life force”, the vital energy that is the underlying cause for all the deeds of a person, both mental as well as physical.
5. “Dharana”: The focussing of your mind on a single point.
6. “Pratyahara”: The reversal of sense organs.
7. “Dhyana” : meditation in order to look within oneself.
8. “Samadhi”: The state of self realization and enlightenment.
Salambasana
