| Patanjaliís Yoga Sutras, covers many different | | | | key aspects of life involves the removal of impurities |
| aspects of life within a text. It starts with the code of | | | | within the mind and body. |
| conduct and ends with the initial goal of yoga in | | | | Asanas, mainly focuses on the practice of postures. |
| accordance to one finding their true self. In essence, | | | | This relates to various ways of positioning of the body, |
| Patanjaliís Yoga Sutras is one of the most | | | | while breathing as a way to gain more of awareness |
| authoritative texts on yoga. It defines yoga in relation to | | | | within ones mind. Nevertheless, one should remain alert |
| focusing attention on an object of contemplation, while | | | | to their surroundings, as well as reactions within the |
| disregarding all else. Yoga encompasses more than | | | | body, while remaining in a relaxed state and tension |
| the incorporation of postures and meditation, | | | | free. In effect, there is the minimization of external |
| furthermore relating to a way of life or religion. | | | | influence upon ones body, such as the climate and |
| According to the influential scripture, eight steps in yoga | | | | their diet. |
| correspond to the awakening or enlightenment of self. | | | | On the other hand, Pranayama teaches an individual |
| These eight steps or limbs within yoga, or astanga, | | | | how to control or restrain their breathing. This helps to |
| consist of niyamas, yamas, asanas, pratyhara, | | | | lead an individual a greater depth within concentration, |
| pranayama, dharana, Samadhi, and dhyana. | | | | as well as the balancing and energizing of their mind |
| Yamas corresponds to lessons of social and moral | | | | and body. Pratyahara aids an individual to relax their |
| conduct within an individual's environment. People learn | | | | senses to a point where there are no distractions |
| through the teachings to refrain from stealing, lying, and | | | | within the mind. |
| greed. One key component lies within teachings for | | | | Dharana refers to concentration and a person's ability |
| consideration and non-violence towards all that is living. | | | | to direct their mind toward a certain object, therefore |
| Additionally, people learn communication, while having | | | | focusing on that object only. As for meditation, this is |
| sensitivity towards others. | | | | where Dhyana is concerned. It helps a person to gain |
| Niyama focuses primarily on the attitudes in which we | | | | in their ability to obtain a focused interaction with the |
| have towards ourselves. These attitudes consist in | | | | things they seek to understand. |
| relation to devotion, cleanliness, compromising, | | | | The last, but most important of all, is Samadhi. This is |
| asceticism, and serenity. An individual should hold high | | | | when a person is lead to the ultimate state of |
| respect in regards to a higher intelligence, while | | | | self-realization. On the other hand, it may relate as a |
| accepting their limitations in respect to God. One of the | | | | way to unite with the original source, hence nirvana. |