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When I was doing my graduation in philosophy, I studied Patanjali’s Yog Sutra. There are eight limbs or steps of this classical yoga practice as follows,
1. Yama: The first limb is the practice of ethical disciplines, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-greed.
2. Niyama: The second limb is the practice of self-discipline and spiritual observances, including purity, contentment, austerity, study, and surrender to a higher power.
3. Asana: The third limb is the practice of physical postures, which are designed to purify and strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and prepare the mind for meditation.
4. Pranayama: The fourth limb is the practice of breath control, which is aimed at regulating the flow of prana or life force energy in the body.
5. Pratyahara: The fifth limb is the practice of sensory withdrawal, which involves turning the senses inward and detaching from external stimuli.
6. Dharana: The sixth limb is the practice of concentration, which involves focusing the mind on a single point or object.
7. Dhyana: The seventh limb is the practice of meditation, which involves deepening concentration and awareness to access higher states of consciousness.
