Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga: An Eightfold Path Guide for Daily Living

Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga (Eightfold Path) – Practical Daily Living Guide

Yama (Five Ethical Restraints – Social Discipline)

Deeper explanations to these religious proscriptions are in the Community Section: - 

 Daily: Before sleeping, reflect—Was I truthful, kind, moderate today?
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Niyama (Five Personal Observances – Inner Discipline)


How you relate to yourself.


  • Shaucha (purity) → Keep body, mind, space clean.

  • Santosha (contentment) → Gratitude journaling, accept situations calmly.

  • Tapas (discipline) → Small acts of self-control—healthy food, regular exercise.

  • Swadhyaya (self-study) → Read spiritual texts, self-introspect daily.

  • Ishvar Pranidhana (surrender to divine) → Short prayer or surrender in meditation.


 Daily: 5 mins gratitude + 5 mins scripture reading.

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Asana (Posture – Body Discipline)



  • Choose 4–5 simple postures (Surya Namaskar, Tadasana, Padmasana).

  • Aim for steadiness, not acrobatics.

  • Sit still comfortably for meditation.


 Daily: 15–30 mins yoga postures.

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Pranayama (Breath Control – Energy Discipline)



  • Begin with deep diaphragmatic breathing.

  • Practice Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing).

  • Keep it gentle; don’t strain.


 Daily: 10 mins conscious breathing.


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Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses – Inner Focus)



  • Reduce overstimulation (screens, noise, gossip).

  • Practice closing eyes, turning attention inward.

  • Example: While eating, focus only on taste, not phone/TV.


 Daily: 5–10 mins “digital fasting” or silent meal.

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Dharana (Concentration)



  • Fix mind on one point—breath, mantra, flame, or deity.

  • Gently bring back wandering thoughts.


 Daily: 10 mins focused meditation (e.g., “So-Ham” breath awareness).

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Dhyana (Meditation)



  • Flowing, uninterrupted focus.

  • Choose technique (mindfulness, mantra, or guided meditation).

  • Let thoughts settle naturally, don’t force.


 Daily: 15–20 mins meditation after Dharana.

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Samadhi (Absorption / Union)



  • Deep stillness, beyond ego and thought.

  • Cannot be forced; it unfolds gradually with practice.

  • Glimpses may come as peace, bliss, or timeless awareness.


 Daily: Allow meditation to deepen—don’t seek “results.”


Notes

Suggested Routine (Simple Daily Flow)

  1. Morning:

    • 10 min gratitude & scripture (Niyama)

    • 20 min yoga postures (Asana)

    • 10 min breathing (Pranayama)

    • 15 min concentration/meditation (Dharana → Dhyana)

  2. Daytime:

    • Practice Yamas & Niyamas in interactions.

    • Take small mindful breaks (Pratyahara).

  3. Night:

    • Journal reflection: Did I live by Yama/Niyama?

    • 5 min prayer/surrender (Ishvar Pranidhana).



Info

About the Author

Rajesh Kishanpuriya is a preventive healthcare and wellness author and principal researcher of the Five-Star Panchabhoota Framework. Through Guruspeak Wellness, he writes on wellness tips, rituals, reflective practices based on Ayurveda,  holistic living, yoga, meditation and stress management.

 

He also provides consulting services to organisations on strategy, governance, ESG and organisational restructuring using the Five-Star Framework. Explore his work at Guruspeak Wellness and Five-Star Framework.



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