Classical
yoga as defined by Patanjali is an eight stage process of spiritual
development – the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The first 2 stages are
ethical disciplines (yama and niyama). Then come the postures (asanas)
and breathing practices (pranayama). The last 4 are meditative stages:
control of the senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), and meditation
(dhyana), which can culminate in the transcended state of enlightenment
(samadhi). |