A wider map of practice

The Yoga Sutras describe an eight-limbed path. Yama concerns relationship with the world: non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-grasping. Niyama concerns personal observance: cleanliness, contentment, disciplined effort, self-study and devotion.

The remaining limbs are asana (a steady seat), pranayama (breath practice), pratyahara (turning attention from sensory distraction), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption or liberation). In daily life, they suggest that meditation is connected to how we live and relate.

The kleshas describe five sources of distress: avidya, not seeing clearly; asmita, identification with the story of self; raga, attachment; dvesha, aversion; and abhinivesha, clinging to continuation. They form a model for observing how perception becomes reaction.

The practical question is not whether we can eliminate being human, but whether we can recognise a story as a story and create enough distance to choose again.

The koshas are described as interrelated layers of experience: the physical body, energy or breath, mind and emotion, insight, and deep integration. The model encourages whole-person inquiry rather than reducing experience to one layer.

These are traditional philosophical categories, not anatomical structures. They can be used as prompts: What is happening physically? How is the breath? What feeling or thought is present? What do I understand beneath the immediate reaction?

Chakras are traditionally described as centres within the subtle body, often mapped from the base of the spine to the crown. They are associated with themes such as grounding, creativity, agency, relationship, expression, intuition and connection.

Chakras are spiritual and symbolic concepts rather than physical organs or medical explanations. They may support reflection, visualisation and personal meaning, but should not replace healthcare or be used to diagnose illness.