The Sanskrit term ashtanga means eight limbs. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra these limbs are listed as eight aides to achieving the state of yoga. The state of yoga, according to Patanjali (PYS 1.2), is a calm, steady, undistracted state of mind.
Five of these aides are considered external and three internal. The external aides cleanse the dense and tangible forms of body, breath and the senses. The internal aides deal with the much subtler patterns of energy and functions of mind.
There is no particular order to follow in these practices though becoming somewhat adept with the external aides will most certainly assure one of developing skill with the internal aides.
The external aides are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara. When practiced they foster good, honest relationships with others and ones self (yama/niyama), easy, steady posture and breath (asana/pranayama) and calm, insightful thought patterns (pratyahara). When the body and senses are stabilized and refined through these five practices success in working with the three internal limbs is possible.
The internal aides are dharana, dhyana, samadhi. Through their practice the mind becomes focused and concentrated (dharana), steady and open (dhyana) and balanced and penetrating (samadhi). The refinement of the mind through the application of these three meditative practices eases and eventually ends our perceived confusion and suffering. We develop and maintain a calm, steady, undistracted state of mind.
The practice of Ashtanga yoga, if taken regularly and consistently (abhyasa) with an open and accepting heart (vairagia), with eagerness (tapas) and faith (shradda) will engender and support the development, over time, of robust and healthy relationships in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms.
