Samadhi (suh-mah-dhee), the eighth and final limb of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, is the ultimate goal of yoga. This Sanskrit word is derived from the word ‘sam’ which means together or integrated and ‘dhi’ which means mind. Together it means the integration or absorption of the individual consciousness with higher consciousness ~ a state of oneness. It’s the realisation of a profound spiritual practice.

Dhyana (dhyah-nah) is the seventh limb of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga. Dhyana can be derived from the root word dhyai, which means to imagine, meditate or contemplate. Whilst meditation is the common translation of dhyana, the word mediation has many meanings that evoke a range of connotations. So simply translating dhyana to meditation doesn’t capture the depth of the word. Dhyana can also be derived from two Sanskrit words. Dhi, meaning to perceive, think or reflect. Yana, meaning path, vehicle or journey. Together, dhyana means a path or vehicle to properly think or reflect.

Dharana is the sixth of Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga. Dharana is formed of two Sanskrit words. Dha means holding or maintaining. Ana means other or something else. Together, dharana means focused concentration or single-object concentration.

It’s about fixing your mind on an object - this could be external (a candle, a deity, a flower etc) or internal (your breath, a thought, a mantra, a chakra etc). When practising dharana you bind your consciousness to the object as you focus on it fully.

Pratyahara (pruh-tyah-hahr-uh) is formed of two Sanskrit words. Prati means against or to withdraw. Ahara means food or anything we take in through our senses such as sights, sounds or smells. Together, pratyahara means gaining control over external influences or withdrawing from the sense organs. Think of it as a turtle withdrawing into its shell where the shell is the mind and limbs are the senses. It's about learning how to reroute your attention inwards as you tune out external stimuli.

Pranayama, our fourth limb, is formed of two words. Prana, which means energy or vital life force; it is the life force that exists in all things, whether animate or inanimate. Ayama, which means extension or expansion. Together, pranayama is a practice where we extend or expand the life force within us. Pranayama utilises breathing to influence the flow of prana in the nadis or energy channels of the pranamaya kosha (energy body).

five ways that we can take our physical practice off the mat and into our everyday life.

1. Release Expectations

Each time you step onto the mat you will feel different and therefore your practice will feel different. This is because your body, mind, hormones, emotions, experience of the day and so on are always changing.

On its own, asana means seat. In the Yoga Sutras it is explained as a seat or posture which is steady and comfortable. Through our practice of the different asanas we strengthen the body and make it more flexible which allows us to sit comfortably in a seated position for a prolonged period of time. We don’t feel the body and this enables us to focus on the next five limbs, to be still and concentrate the mind and we are no longer distracted by aches, pains or other bodily sensations.