The eight limbs of yoga are described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a collection of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. Compiled in the early centuries CE by the sage Patanjali in India, this text synthesizes and organizes knowledge about yoga from much older traditions.

Sutra 2.28: Through the practice of the eight limbs, or steps of yoga, impurities are eliminated, leading to an illumination that culminates in discriminative wisdom, or enlightenment.

Sutra 2.29: The eight limbs, or steps of yoga, are:

  1. Yamas – Ethical disciplines

    1. Ahimsa – Non-harming

    2. Satya – Truthfulness

    3. Asteya – Non-stealing

    4. Brahmacharya – Sexual propriety (celibacy)

    5. Aparigraha – Non-possessiveness

    2. Niyamas – Self-observations

    1. Saucha – Cleanliness of body, mind, and speech

    2. Santosha – Contentment

    3. Tapas – Dedication, perseverance, and discipline

    4. Svadhyaya – Self-study

    5. Isvara Pranidhana – Surrender to love (God)

    3. Asana – Physical postures

    4. Pranayama – Breath control

    5. Pratyahara – Sense withdrawal
    Pratyahara involves temporarily closing off the senses and retreating inward. The senses serve as a bridge between our inner and outer worlds. Pratyahara connects the more earthly, everyday, outward-focused aspects of yoga (the first four limbs) with the spiritual, inward-focused limbs that follow. It is the bridge we walk on our journey inward.

    6. Dharana – Concentration
    Dharana is the process of focusing the mind's attention on a single object. This could be any external object, an image, a deity, an internal part of your body, or even the sound of your breath moving in and out.

    7. Dhyana – Meditation
    Dhyana is the continuous focus on one point, leading to absorption in meditation.

    8. Samadhi – Union or deep absorption
    Samadhi is a state of joy and peace that arises when the essence of an object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, devoid of its own form. This state of deep concentration is called samadhi and it cannot be fully described.