Yoga philosophy, in plain language

Yoga is far older than the poses. Here are the big ideas you will hear about in class: the four paths, the eight limbs and a few key words.

Checked 21 October 2026 ยท By The Yoga Blog editors

The four paths of yoga

Classical Hindu teaching, especially the Bhagavad Gita, describes three paths to the same goal. Modern readings, following Swami Vivekananda, often add a fourth.

Karma yoga the path of action

Doing your duties and work well, without clinging to the rewards. The work itself becomes the practice.

Bhakti yoga the path of devotion

Loving devotion to a personal god, expressed through prayer, worship, chanting and service.

Jnana yoga the path of knowledge

Study, reflection and self-inquiry: understanding the nature of the self and reality.

Raja yoga the path of meditation

The meditative path. Vivekananda used the name for the yoga of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras in his 1896 book Raja Yoga.

The eight limbs of yoga

The Yoga Sutras, a short text attributed to Patanjali and usually dated to the early centuries CE, describe eight "limbs" (ashtanga) of practice:

  1. Yama: ethical restraints, how we behave towards others.
  2. Niyama: personal observances, how we look after ourselves.
  3. Asana: posture. In the Sutras this means a steady, comfortable seat for meditation.
  4. Pranayama: regulation of the breath.
  5. Pratyahara: withdrawing the senses from outside distractions.
  6. Dharana: concentration on one point.
  7. Dhyana: meditation, an unbroken flow of attention.
  8. Samadhi: complete absorption.

Yamas and niyamas

The Yoga Sutras list five yamas and five niyamas, often described as yoga's ethical guidelines.

The five yamas

  • Ahimsa: non-harming
  • Satya: truthfulness
  • Asteya: not stealing
  • Brahmacharya: moderation or restraint of the senses
  • Aparigraha: non-possessiveness

The five niyamas

  • Saucha: cleanliness
  • Santosha: contentment
  • Tapas: discipline
  • Svadhyaya: self-study and study of texts
  • Ishvara pranidhana: devotion or surrender to the divine

Words you will hear in class

Frequently asked questions

What are the 4 paths of yoga?

Karma (action), bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge) and raja (meditation). The first three come from classical texts such as the Bhagavad Gita; raja yoga was added as a fourth in modern readings following Swami Vivekananda.

What are the 8 limbs of yoga?

Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi, as listed in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

What does namaste mean?

Namaste is a respectful Sanskrit greeting, often translated as "I bow to you".

Who wrote the Yoga Sutras?

They are attributed to Patanjali. Scholars usually date the text to the early centuries CE, though the exact date is debated.

Do I need to study philosophy to do yoga?

No. Many people practise only the poses and breathing. The philosophy is there if you want to go deeper.

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