classical period
The Classical Period is marked by another creation known as the Yoga Sutra. The Yoga Sutra was written by Patanjali around the second century. It was written in order to define and standardize Classical Yoga. The Yoga Sutra is known to be the first set of systematic presentations of yoga. In fact, Patanjali is commonly known today as the father of yoga. At this point in time yoga begins to construct itself in its practice. It does not begin to spread at an accelerated rate but it does maintain to attract the attention of several neighboring countries in the west. The Yoga Sutra is composed of 195 aphorisms or sutras, a Sanskrit word that means thread, that expound upon the Raja Yoga. The Raja Yoga is referred to the eight limbed yoga because it's founded upon Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga. These eight folds are:
- Yama: social control or ethical values;
- Niyama: personal acknowledgement of purity, tolerance, and study;
- Asanas: physical exercises;
- Pranayama: breathing regulations;
- Pratyahara: sense of withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;
- Dharana: concentration;
- Dhyana: Meditation; and
- Samadhi: ecstasy.