The Eight Limbs of Yoga Through the Lens of Ayurveda

How ancient wisdom supports your hormones, nervous system, and daily rhythm.

Yoga and Ayurveda were always meant to be practiced together.

Yoga teaches us how to live, and Ayurveda teaches us how to care for the body and mind.

When women understand both, something shifts:

➡ your nervous system feels safer

➡ your energy becomes steadier

➡ your hormones settle

➡ your daily rhythm becomes softer, clearer, and more aligned

Let’s explore the Eight Limbs of Yoga through the lens of Ayurveda — simple, feminine, and easy to bring into your day.

1. Yamas — How We Relate to the World

These are the foundations of how we live.

Ahimsa — Non-harm

Gentle choices, gentle body.

Warm food, grounding routines, supportive rest.

Satya — Truth

Listening to what your body needs today.

Not pushing through exhaustion or ignoring your cycle.

Asteya — Non-stealing

Protect your ojas, your vital energy.

This means saying no, setting boundaries, and resting without guilt.

Brahmacharya — Energy Management

Direct your prana wisely:

• Vata → slow down

• Pitta → cool down

• Kapha → gently activate

Aparigraha — Non-grasping

Let go of what creates ama (toxins): clutter, comparison, overconsumption, tension.

2. Niyamas — How We Care for Ourselves

Saucha — Purity

Clean digestion = clean mind.

Warm meals, spices, hydration.

Santosha — Contentment

Ease comes from living in your doshic rhythm.

More allowing, less forcing.

Tapas — Discipline

Small habits repeated daily.

Ayurveda teaches consistency over intensity.

Svadhyaya — Self-study

Tracking your cycle, moods, digestion, cravings.

Your body is always communicating.

Ishvara Pranidhana — Surrender

Trust the wisdom inside you.

Your body already knows how to heal.

3. Asana — Movement

Move for your dosha:

• Vata → grounding

• Pitta → cooling

• Kapha → energizing

Movement becomes medicine when we honor our natural rhythm.

4. Pranayama — Breath

Breath directs prana, your life force.

• Vata → alternate nostril

• Pitta → cooling breath

• Kapha → energizing bellows breath

A few minutes can change everything.

5. Pratyahara — Sensory Withdrawal

Your nervous system repairs when the senses rest.

Soft lights, warm meals, quiet, nature, slower mornings.

This is the antidote to overstimulation.

6. Dharana — Focus

Focus is easier when routines are steady.

Same sleep time.

Same meal time.

Same breath before reacting.

7. Dhyana — Meditation

Meditation builds sattva: clarity, calm, ease.

Even 2–5 minutes counts.

8. Samadhi — Oneness

When your inner rhythm matches your outer rhythm.

Living in alignment with your true nature.

Closing Thoughts

Yoga and Ayurveda are not separate practices — they are a single path of remembering who you are beneath stress, busyness, and imbalance.

When you weave these teachings into your daily life, healing becomes gentle, natural, and deeply embodied.

Ready to experience this in real time?

Let me know which limb you feel most connected to.

Follow for more teachings that support your body, hormones, and spirit.

With love,

Tal

Ayurvedic Women’s Hormone & Health Coach + Founder of Yogatation + Retreat Leader

Instagram: @yogatationca

Website: www.yogatation.ca

*Disclaimer: This Disclaimer forms a binding agreement between you and Tal Spooner also known as Yogatation, a Sole Proprietorship operating out of Ontario, Canada. In continuing to watch this video, read this blog and practicing yoga with me, you release me from any liability related to any injuries or issues which may arise from the risks of practicing yoga through this video. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS YOGA CLASS. These videos and blogs are posted for educational and informational purposes only and are not tailored to you specifically in any way. Please ensure you are practicing in a safe space and consult a medical professional before your practice. Lastly, please note that the techniques and approaches to yoga contained in these videos are simply my teachings and I make no representations about their efficacy nor do I promise any results.

Namaste and enjoy the practice.