The Eight Limbs of Yoga, A Basic Overview

In brief the eight limbs, or steps to yoga, are as follows:

  1. Yama :  Universal morality  
  2. Niyama :  Personal observances  
  3. Asanas :  Body postures  
  4. Pranayama :  Breathing exercises, and control of prana  
  5. Pratyahara :  Control of the senses
  6. Dharana :  Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
  7. Dhyana :  Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
  8. Samadhi :  Union with the Divine