8 Limbs of Yoga

  1. Yamas: social ethics
  2. Niyamas: personal observances
  3. Asana: yoga posture
  4. Pranayama: yogic breathing
  5. Pratyahara: sense withdrawal
  6. Dharana: concentration
  7. Dhyana: meditation
  8. Samadhi: absorption

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What Is Ethical Living Through Yoga?

Fall leaves in the woods with a creek and a path up a hill at Kripalu

In Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot series, a tea monk and a robot wander the world asking, “What do people need?” The answer isn’t a product or a fix. It’s a feeling. A sense of being heard, valued, and whole. Many of us long for that same feeling in our lives: a way to move through the world with purpose, integrity, and care.

In modern yoga culture, it’s easy to lose sight of yoga’s roots. We see poses, wellness products, and vague talk of “good vibes.” But behind all that is something far more grounded. Yoga offers a path for ethical, purposeful living.

Yoga and the Call to Action

Matthew meditating on the floor with sun on his body
Yoga’s core principle of ahimsa (non-harming) calls for peace, not only within but in the world around us. As violence and hate-driven rhetoric surge, especially against marginalized communities, the teachings of yoga challenge us to act with compassion and integrity. True peace goes beyond personal tranquility; it requires standing up against injustice, supporting those who are oppressed, and fostering a more compassionate society. In moments of grief and uncertainty, yoga invites us to pause, reflect, and find ways to turn our inner healing into meaningful action. Peace isn't passive—it's a call to engage, to show up, and to live in alignment with our values.
8 Limbs of Yoga