Eight Limbs of Yoga and the crossover to therapy

by Chloe Sykes, Art Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher

(Art Therapy Manchester | Therapy Manchester)

Hey From Within

What is eight limbs of yoga? Yoga is often introduced through movement: a class, a mat, a sequence of shapes. However, beneath the postures lies a broader framework for understanding how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

In my work within yoga spaces and therapy settings, I frequently observe how the principles of yoga quietly emerge, even when they are not explicitly named. They manifest in moments of pause, in breath held and released, and in how someone learns to be kinder to themselves. They also appear in how individuals sit with discomfort rather than pushing it away.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga, as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, provide a way to comprehend this. They are not merely tasks to be executed perfectly but rather a lived process that mirrors much of what occurs in modern therapeutic work.

Yama: How We Relate to the World

The yamas address our relationships with others and our broader environment, encompassing kindness, honesty, boundaries, restraint, and respect.

I often reflect on this in my practice: How am I showing up? What are my intentions behind my actions? Am I acting from a place of care and respect?

In therapy, this closely aligns with attachment-informed practice. Clients often arrive carrying patterns shaped by earlier relationships. They learn where it was safe to speak, where it wasn’t, and where they had to adapt to survive.

When these patterns are gently acknowledged without judgment, something shifts. The focus becomes less about “changing behaviour” and more about understanding why certain ways of relating once made sense.

Niyama: How We Relate to Ourselves

While yamas look outward, niyamas turn inward. They focus on self-reflection, self-discipline, acceptance, and care.

This is often where my art therapy work naturally resides. I accompany clients as they begin to rebuild, or sometimes build for the first time, ways of offering themselves compassion, steadiness, and curiosity.

I notice how unfamiliar this can feel. An inner critic often emerges when someone attempts to slow down. It can be challenging to allow rest, gentleness, or the space of not knowing.

Person-centred therapy beautifully embodies this belief: people move towards growth when they feel understood, accepted, and not rushed.

Asana: The Body as a Place of Information

Asana is frequently reduced to mere posture. However, at its core, it is about being with the body.

In therapy, particularly within sensorimotor and trauma-informed approaches, the body is not something to bypass. It holds memory, protection, readiness, and sometimes fatigue from holding everything together for too long.

I often notice moments when someone realises:

• “I didn’t know I was holding my breath.”

• “My shoulders have been up here the whole time.”

  
  

These moments are quiet but significant. Awareness begins in the body before it reaches verbal expression.

Pranayama: Breath as Regulation

Breath is one of the few systems we can influence directly. In both yoga and therapy, noticing breath offers a way back when anxiety rises.

Rather than controlling breath, the work often involves listening to it. Allowing it to lengthen when it’s ready reassures the nervous system that it doesn’t need to remain on high alert.

This approach aligns closely with mindfulness-based therapies, where attention is anchored in present-moment experience.

Pratyahara: Turning Inward Safely

Pratyahara involves withdrawing from constant external stimulation.

In therapy rooms, this often occurs naturally; the phone is off, the pace slows, and attention turns inward.

For adults living with anxiety, this can initially feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. Many have learned to stay busy to avoid feeling.

The therapeutic relationship helps make this inward turn feel safer, supported rather than isolating.

Dharana & Dhyana: Attention and Flow

Dharana (focused attention) and dhyana (sustained awareness) are often experienced together.

In art therapy sessions, I observe this when someone becomes absorbed in the creative process. Time shifts. Self-criticism quietens. There’s a sense of being with rather than doing to.

This state is not forced; it emerges when enough safety is present.

Samadhi: Integration, Not Perfection

Samadhi is sometimes misunderstood as a final state. In practice, it often resembles integration—moments where things feel more connected and less fragmented.

In therapy, this might manifest when someone states:

• “I still get anxious… but I understand it now.”

• “I can notice what’s happening instead of being overwhelmed by it.”

  
  

Not fixed. Not perfect. But more resourced.

Where Yoga and Therapy Meet

Across yoga Manchester spaces and therapy Manchester rooms, I see the same principles repeatedly:

• Ethical relating → yama

• Self-compassion → niyama

• Body awareness → asana

• Nervous system regulation → pranayama

• Inward attention → pratyahara

• Focus → dharana

• Reflective awareness → dhyana

• Integration → samadhi

  
  

Ancient language. Modern application.

Whether someone arrives through yoga, therapy, or curiosity, these threads are already present, waiting to be noticed.

The Importance of Mindfulness in Therapy

Mindfulness plays a crucial role in both yoga and therapy. It encourages individuals to be present, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their experiences. By practising mindfulness, clients can learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment.

This practice can be transformative. It allows for greater self-awareness and helps individuals navigate their emotional landscapes more effectively. Mindfulness can also reduce anxiety and improve overall mental well-being.

The Role of Creativity in Healing

Creativity is another vital aspect of the therapeutic process. Engaging in creative activities can provide an outlet for expression and exploration. It allows individuals to communicate feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

Art therapy, for example, enables clients to use various mediums to express their emotions. This creative process can lead to insights and breakthroughs, facilitating healing and growth.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey

In conclusion, the intersection of yoga and therapy offers a rich landscape for personal growth and healing. By exploring the Eight Limbs of Yoga, individuals can gain valuable insights into their relationships with themselves and others.

The journey is not about perfection but about embracing the process of self-discovery and integration. Whether through yoga, therapy, or a combination of both, the principles remain relevant and impactful.

This blog connects beautifully with other posts on heyfromwithin.co.uk:

• How Inner Transformation Affects Mental Health – for exploring deep shifts that happen in therapy.

• Art Therapy: Brushstrokes Where the Paper Listens – a look at the art-making process in action.

• Therapy Manchester: Guided Drawing – a practical way we work with themes like the inner critic.

  
  

And don’t miss the Art Therapy for Adults service page to learn more about how sessions work or the Yoga page for class information.