Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

According to Patanjali <पतञ्जलि, pət̪əɲɟəli> ( the founder of formal Yoga philosophy -Patajanli's Yoga Sutra which is more than 2700 years ago), 8 limbs of yoga is like a flower with 8 petals, all limbs have to be perform at the same time
when we practice yoga, we always have to include this 8 limbs of yoga.it reinforce the dualistic idea that yoga is something to 'get' . it may be helpful to imagine the 8 limbs as the arms and the legs of the body- connected one to another through the central body of yoga .
the 8 limbs :

The 1st 4 limbs- external yoga that can be corrected)
Yamas ( Restraints )
Regain balance in life. included non-harming, truthfulness,non-stealing,moderation and non possessive ,its to maintain the healthy relationship between ourselves and the society.

Niyamas ( Observances )
Practices that lead to wisdom and knowledge of the self, included purity,contentment, self discipline, self study, and self surrender.

Asanas (posture)
Dynamic internal dances in the form of postures. these help to keep body strong, flexible and relaxed. the practices would help to strenghthens the nervous systems and refines our process of inner perception.

Pranayama ( control of breath)
defined as breathing practices that help us to develop constancy in the movement of prana ( life force, 'chi') .improve concerntration and expand energy.

another 4 limbs (inner yoga that cant be seen or corrected)

Pratyahara ( Sense Withdraw )
The drawing of one's attention towards silence rather that towards thing- very important to perform it during Meditation.

Dharana (concentration )
Focusing attention and cultivating inner percepture awareness. (Acheiving alpha stage - the relaxed stage from yoga is the aim of the full concentration,it's much more different from others situation, cause during work, when asked to be concentrate, usually we will be more stressful , but yoga is another way round.)

Dhyana ( Meditation )
Sustaining awareness under all conditions.Meditation only performed when we pro-long our concentration/ flow of concentration is called meditation.

Samadhi ( Self Realization )
The return of the mind into original silence. The eternal self shines in the mind. super conscious stage.

I guess these are the foundation Theory/mind set of my Yoga Journey...

* Patanjali was a man or woman??! my master thinks Patanjali was a She, although
most of the ppl think was a He.. ^_^ i totally agreed with master Mani.. =)