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