"Ashtanga Yoga" are the eight phases of Yoga that can help a
soul to realize the Supreme Soul, a being to realize the oneness with the
Supreme Being, a consciousness to realize being the part of the Supreme
Consciousness. According to the ancient texts, these eight phases of Yoga were
first explained by Lord Shiva during his discourses to Mata Parvati. After
Vedic period, around 400 BC, a great sage Maharishi Patanjali explained
Ashtanga Yoga in detail in Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
When a seeker begins his seeking under the guidance of a
Self realized Guru, the seeker is expected to follow the logical path, that are
the eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga.
Yamas
The first phase of Yoga involves moral code of conduct
that helps the seeker in controlling inner and outer senses. This helps in
becoming free of any kind of lust and desire. The five Yamas are:
Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Nonviolence, non-harming other living beings
Satya (सत्य): truthfulness
Asteya (अस्तेय): non-stealing
Brahmacārya (ब्रह्मचर्य): celibacy
Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): non-avarice, non-possessiveness
Satya (सत्य): truthfulness
Asteya (अस्तेय): non-stealing
Brahmacārya (ब्रह्मचर्य): celibacy
Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): non-avarice, non-possessiveness