Introduction to Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga

The meaning of the word Ashtanga

Before starting this blog, I invite you to pause for a moment on the word itself, Ashtanga, as it contains the essence of this entire path.

In Sanskrit, Ashtanga (अष्टाङ्ग) is a word composed of two terms:

• • Ashta (अष्ट) → means eight
  • Anga (अङ्ग) → means limb, part, branch, or component

Therefore, Ashtanga is literally translated as:

“Eight limbs” or “Eight parts of the path”.

The origin of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is the path of eight branches described by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, a classical text of yoga philosophy. Patanjali, who lived more than two thousand years ago, gathered in this work a series of brief and profound teachings “the sutras” where this path of eight stages oriented towards the recognition and realization of the true self is clearly exposed.

The purpose of Ashtanga Yoga

From a traditional perspective, Ashtanga Yoga is not a set of isolated techniques, but a true way of life. Its ultimate purpose is not momentary well-being or personal performance improvement, but the profound transformation of perception, leading to a stable and lasting inner freedom.

Now before continuing, I would like to emphasize this sentence you just read; “the ultimate purpose is the profound transformation of perception, which leads to a stable and lasting inner freedom”. What do you think? Even the ancient sages spoke of how suffering does not originate so much in external circumstances, but in the way the mind interprets reality.

When I first understood this, I was like… wow, isn’t this something we learn or study when we are young in school?…

Our perception is usually conditioned by; mental habits, reactive emotions, limiting beliefs, identifications (“this is me”, “this is mine”), fear, attachment, or rejection. When yoga speaks of transformation, it refers to the fact that, through practice, the mind becomes; clearer, more stable, less reactive, and more capable of seeing reality as it is. That is, you change the way you see, not necessarily what happens.

What does inner freedom mean? According to yoga tradition, it is understood that it is not an external freedom (doing what you want), but something much deeper; ceasing to depend emotionally on what happens outside, not being trapped by thoughts or emotions, maintaining stability even in difficult situations. In simple terms, we would say it is moving from living reactively to living consciously and centered.

And finally, why does it say “stable and lasting”? Because, according to classical yoga, it is not a fleeting state like momentary relaxation or the well-being of a single practice. It is a profound change in the way of being in the world. Over time, the person will develop a greater base serenity, be less disturbed, suffer less from the ups and downs of life, and live with more clarity and purpose.

The Path of the Eight Branches

Thus, the eight branches described by Patanjali are still considered, to this day, one of the most complete and timeless frameworks to understand yoga in its original sense, as a path of self-knowledge, integration, and realization of the SELF.

These eight branches form an integral path encompassing all dimensions of the human being: ethics, personal discipline, the body, energy, and the mind. Through them, the practitioner undergoes a progressive process of inner refinement: first, they order their life and conduct (yama and niyama), prepare the body and energy (asana and pranayama), internalize the senses (pratyahara), and from there, develop concentration (dharana), and deep meditation (dhyana), culminating in the experience of inner fullness (samadhi).

According to the Yoga Sutras, this system constitutes a coherent and systematic method whose purpose is not physical or aesthetic, but profoundly spiritual: quieting the fluctuations of the mind so that the person can recognize their true nature and live from a stable inner freedom.

Next, I present to you the eight branches that comprise this path. Think of them as a map that guides you step by step; from the way you live and relate in your day-to-day life, to the deepest states of calm, clarity, and inner connection.

This is just a first look, an entry point for you to understand the meaning of each one before we explore them in more depth in upcoming articles that I will share with you.

The Eight Branches of Ashtanga Yoga

• Yama: Universal ethical principles that regulate relationships with others and guide behavior towards harmony and respect.
• Niyama>: Personal observances that guide inner life, fostering discipline, self-reflection, and the cultivation of a conscious attitude.
• Asana: The stable and comfortable posture that allows the body to be still and prepared for inner practice.
• Pranayama: Bridge between the body and the mind. The conscious regulation of vital energy through breathing, which helps balance the mind and nervous system.
• Pratyahara: The internalization of the senses, withdrawing attention from the exterior to direct it towards the inner world.
• Dharana: The ability to sustain concentration on a single point with intention and stability.
• Dhyana: Meditative state. You become one with what you are observing, effortlessly and without interruptions.
• Samadhi: State of total absorption or union; complete fusion of subject and object, where the ego dissolves and unity is experienced.