What Is Raja Yoga?

I was pleasantly surprised as I began making my way through yoga teacher training. My body has been stiff for decades. I’m more interested in yoga for flexibility, healthy aging, and meditation. I’ve decided to distinguish Raja Yoga on my website so people who are looking to yoga for healthy aging aren’t put off by a fear they can’t do it. Raja Yoga is the yoga of meditation. It’s a journey where you actively work on becoming a better person and the asanas (postures) makeup one of the 8 pieces of the yoga path. The book that outlines Raja Yoga is called The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

As I work my way through my yoga teacher training the classes I’ve been most fascinated by are the philosophy classes. The yogis of India have this zen meditative outlook on life. They don’t care what religion you practice, they don’t care if your yoga pose is perfect, instead they’re content with things as they are just as they are. The perfect yoga posture for meditation is the one you are most comfortable in. One of the goals of performing yoga postures is so you can sit comfortably in meditation for a longer period of time. Being able to sit comfortably without my back hurting is a day I look forward to.

Imagine being content with whatever is happening around you. In America I feel we’re such a fear driven society that learning how to shift my mindset is long overdue. For me, the most interesting thing as I regularly practice yoga is I can feel where years of subconscious tension are held in my body. Trying to mentally unwind those areas I can feel a bit of resistance I think because they’ve been like that for so long.

What Are The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga?

Patanjali referred to the eight limbs as both steps and limbs. One has to be followed by the other because there is a sequence of growth, but they are all branches of the main limb which is yoga. The philosophy of yoga is meant to be seen or experienced. You can read a Raja Yoga book by Patanjali but there’s a deeper level of understanding you’ll get from regular practice. No matter your age you can incorporate many of the 8 limbs of yoga for healthy aging.

Modern science knows there’s a connection between mental health and physical health. This is why there’s a lot of emphasis on the Yamas and Niyamas in raja yoga.

1-Yama Is The Bridge Between You And Society

There are five self-restraints to help create a friendly atmosphere around you. Rather than reflexively reacting to the world around you, you learn how to consciously react. As you become more alert you learn to respond out of necessity rather than react reflexively. You’ll likely recognize the ideas contained in the five Yamas.

• Asteya: When you feel complete you won’t be envious of what someone else has. Asteya means not stealing. Even if you do steal something your basic sense of inadequacy won’t go away.
• Brahmacarya: It’s a mental state that maintains control and freedom from sensual cravings. It doesn’t say complete abstinence, rather a bit of higher thinking in your sexual endeavors.
• Aparigaha: Amassing material possessions simply for the sake of saying you have them is not the point of human existence. It’s about finding comfort in the things you have rather than chasing the next thing.

2-Niyam Means Fixed Observance

The Yamas and Niyamas aren’t about right and wrong. The goal is an awareness of your honest and true self. It’s about continuously striving to live life in a better way.

• Sauca: Purification of the soul and physical body. Purifying your moral virtues is viewed as a greater value than external purification.
• Santosa: Your mind shouldn’t be overloaded with demands, Instead it should be content and happy towards every situation in life.
• Tapas: Living a simple life and finding contentment in the idea that you are what you are.
• Svadhyaya: Getting clear on who you are and what you want your consciousness is cleared up. You’re not longer conflicted and you can make decisions easily because you have clarity on who and what you’re about.
• Ishvara Pranidhana: An unconditional and absolute faith towards God (any God) in every thought and action.

3-Asana Is The Word For Yoga Postures

I think some yoga postures keep people who are interested in yoga from trying yoga. If you see a photo of a young person that looks impossible you might make the assumption THAT is what yoga is. I’m learning that anyone can do yoga. There are many types of yoga. When I finish my regular training I already have courses lined to to get certified in restorative and yin yoga. Flexibility is a hallmark of youth and both of these gentle approaches to yoga are perfect for healthy aging. You can begin with one posture whether it’s standing tall like a mountain or enjoying savasana. According to the Raja Yoga book written by Patanjali your goal is to find a steady and comfortable posture. One of the reasons my teacher training is more intense than I expect is because I’m learning how to adapt each yoga pose for varying levels of ability.

4-Pranayama Is All About The Breath

Patanjali states that becoming comfortable with the asanas should come before the breath control known as pranayama. Prana is the life force and by altering your breathing pattern you are in control of this life force. Since the breath and the mind are connected controlling the breath you controls the mind. There are a number of pranayama exercises with breaths of different lengths and speed. If you’ve ever meditated where you simply focused on your breath you can see how breath is a yoga of meditation.

5-Pratyahara You Are With Yourself

It’s exactly like it sounds. You are focused on turning your sense organs inward toward yourself. Returning to your home you are seeing, hearing, and feeling a sense of who you are.

It’s a stage of concentration where you collect the scattered subconscious mind and concentrate on a certain object. The objects of concentration are found on your body like your heart, big toe, tip of your nose, etc.

7-Dhyana Meditation Of A Clear Mind

In typical yoga for meditation you are aware of the external world. For Dhayana meditation your mind is clear and inwardly focused. You pat attention to your deepest self. it’s an inner attention that is quiet, aware, and relaxed.

8-Samadhi Super Consciousness

Self realization is the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga. It’s a state of bliss and joy where your individual consciousness merges into universal consciousness. Samadhan means every problem of life is solved. There is freedom from suffering and a person can live without fear, conflict, or complexity. It’s a state of total freedom and liberation.

Yoga Is About More Than Postures

In my mind the goal of yoga for health aging is to maintain flexibility and autonomy because you can physically do things for yourself. Using your yoga practice to help you develop a peaceful meditation posture via yoga is an added bonus.

Originally posted on February 10, 2022 @ 15:01

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