The Indian Saint, Patanjali, identified eight interrelated aspects of yoga practice in his classic, The Yoga Sutras, which he composed during the classical period of yoga philosophy and history (200-800 CE).
These eight aspects are commonly referred to as the eight limbs of yoga practice or Ashtanga Yoga, "ash" meaning eight and "tanga" meaning limb or part.
It is important to understand that these eight limbs of yoga practice are not separate; they are interrelated parts with an integrative nature. In other words, working to master one aspect of yoga brings you closer to realizing the other seven aspects.
The purpose of the eight limbs is to enable a person to develop and refine their body and mind as a whole system, ultimately to achieve peace, bliss, and union.
