Reclaiming Yogic Roots: A Modern Guide to Yoga, Decolonization, and Honoring Its True Essence

Caitlin Donato
May 6
5 min read

By: Caitlin Donato

These days, yoga is everywhere—from studios and apps to gyms and Instagram feeds. But more often than not, it's reduced to just the physical postures—stretching, bending, maybe sweating a bit. If you've ever felt like there's something deeper to yoga, you're absolutely right. Yoga is a rich, spiritual path with ancient roots in Indian philosophy. It's not just about moving the body—it's about stilling the mind, opening the heart, and living with purpose.

To truly honor yoga, we need to understand where it comes from, what it’s meant to teach us, and how to practice it on and off the mat. That means exploring the 8 limbs of yoga as taught by Maharishi Patanjali, and learning how we can approach yoga in a way that’s not only personal, but also respectful and culturally aware.

Yoga’s True Roots: More Than Just a Workout

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning to yoke or unite—body, mind, and spirit. This practice goes back over 3,000 years to ancient India and was developed as a path to spiritual liberation, not just physical fitness. The foundational text that guides much of what we know about classical yoga today is the Yoga Sutras, written by the Indian sage Maharishi Patanjali around 200 BCE.

In these sutras, Patanjali lays out the Eight Limbs of Yoga, a step-by-step path designed to lead a person from ethical living and self-discipline to deep meditation and ultimate self-realization.

Decolonizing Yoga: Why It Matters

As yoga spread around the world, especially in the West, parts of it got commercialized and, at times, disconnected from its roots. This isn’t about gatekeeping—it’s about honoring.

Decolonizing yoga means:

Recognizing its Indian roots and not treating yoga as a trend or aesthetic.
Respecting the full scope of the practice, not just asana (postures).
Learning from authentic sources, especially from South Asian teachers and texts.
Being mindful of cultural appropriation and practicing with humility and gratitude.

Yoga isn’t just for the flexible, young, or able-bodied. It’s for everyone—as a tool for inner growth, healing, and awareness.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Path to Freedom

Patanjali didn’t give us a list of stretches. He gave us a road map for living well and awakening to our true nature, our true self. Here’s a breakdown of the eight limbs—and how you can start practicing them off the mat, in everyday life.

“By the sustained practice of the eight limbs of yoga, the impurities are destroyed and the light of wisdom, discrimination shines forth.” — Yoga Sutras 2.28

(Reference: PMC Article on Yoga & Mental Health)

1. Yama – Ethical Guidelines

This is yoga’s moral compass—how we treat others:

Ahimsa (non-violence): Speak kindly, act with compassion. Think, speak, and act in a way that’s non-harming to yourself and others. It’s said that when a practitioner fully embodies non-violence that the people around him or her also become non-violent.
Satya (truthfulness): Be honest with yourself and others.
Asteya (non-stealing): Don’t take what isn’t freely given—time, credit, energy, ideas, etc.
Brahmacharya (moderation): Use your energy wisely.
Aparigraha (non-possessiveness): Let go of the need to own or control everything.

Practice tip: Try one Yama each week. Notice where it shows up in your interactions.

2. Niyama – Inner Disciplines

These are the practices that help us grow from within:

Shaucha (cleanliness): Keep your body, environment, home, car, your mind, etc. clear and clear.
Santosha (contentment): Appreciate what you have and where you are in life.
Tapas (discipline): Stay committed, even when it’s tough.
Svadhyaya (self-study): Reflect, journal, read sacred texts.
Ishvarapranidhana (surrender): Trust the process and let go of control. Ancient tradition says to Trust or Surrender to a Higher Power.

Practice tip: Choose a niyama that resonates. Journal about how it shows up in your life.

3. Asana – The Physical Practice

Yep, this is the part most people know—but it’s only one limb! In fact, there are 195/196 yoga sutras in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and only 3 of them are about Yoga Poses. The purpose of asana in the Yoga Sutras is to prepare the body for stillness and meditation. It’s not about nailing handstands—it’s about creating steadiness and ease in the body.

Practice tip: Shift your focus from performance to being present. Move with intention, not the ego.

4. Pranayama – Breath Awareness

Breath is life. Pranayama means “life force expansion or control” through the breath. When we regulate the breath, we calm the mind, balance our emotions, and connect deeper within.

Practice tip: Try a simple 1:2 breath—inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 8. Notice how it feels.

5. Pratyahara – Turning Inward

This is where we gently withdraw our senses from the outside world, turning our attention inward. Our senses meaning, taste, touch, sight, hear, and smell. It’s not about escaping life, but about finding peace within it. Think Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation to induce a state of deep relaxation, where the body is relaxed while the mind remains alert. Traditionally, the practice of Yoga Nidra is practiced with no music and no smells, like incense or candles.

Practice tip: Spend a few minutes each day in quiet, with no distractions. Just be.

6. Dharana – Concentration

This is one-pointed focus. Whether it's a mantra, your breath, or a candle flame—Dharana helps train the mind to stay present.

Practice tip: Pick one thing to focus on for 5 minutes. When your mind wanders, bring it back—kindly.

7. Dhyana – Meditation

Once the mind learns to concentrate, it naturally flows into meditation—a state of deep awareness and inner stillness.

Practice tip: Set a timer for 10 minutes. Sit quietly, follow your breath, and let thoughts come and go.

8. Samadhi – Blissful Absorption

The final limb is a state of complete oneness—with the self, with the universe, with the present moment. It’s often described as pure bliss, pure happiness, or Enlightenment. It’s not something we “achieve,” but something we experience when we’re aligned, open, and ready. When the previous seven limbs are practiced over time, Samadhi - pure bliss, pure happiness, or Enlightenment is reached.

Living Yoga On and Off the Mat

You don’t need fancy gear, incense, or hours of time to live yoga. You just need presence, intention, and curiosity.

On the mat: Practice with humility and awareness. Let go of comparison and judgement of yourself and others.
Off the mat: Speak kindly. Breathe deeply. Live consciously. Serve others.

Yoga is a way of being, not just something you “do.”

Who Was Maharishi Patanjali?

Patanjali was a great Indian sage who lived around 200 BCE. He’s credited with compiling the Yoga Sutras, a concise guide to understanding the human mind and awakening spiritual wisdom. His work isn’t just ancient philosophy—it’s timeless wisdom, still deeply relevant today.

(Source: Sri Sri School of Yoga)

Final Thoughts

Yoga isn’t about being the most flexible or mastering complex poses. It’s about showing up—for yourself, for your values, and for the present moment. When we practice yoga in its full depth (not just yoga poses)—honoring its roots, respecting its lineage, and living its teachings—we open the door to a more grounded, connected, and meaningful life with ourselves and the world around us.

Explore the 8 Limbs of Yoga with me on my Patreon, click here to learn more!