Ashtanga means eight limbs, which comprises of Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Each limb is very essential and complete. According to Lord Patanjali if these limbs are practiced dedicatedly under the guidance of traditional and authentic teacher, yoga can cure or lessen our physical, mental, moral and spiritual sufferings, his wisdom radiates in glory.Yama: self restraint, they are, Ahimsa (Non- Violence), Satya (Truthfulness), Asteya (Non-Stealing),Brahmacharya(Celibacy),Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness).
If one follows Yama systematically, one develops a relationship of affection and compassion for all living beings. This attitude of perceiving all living beings with total equality is essential for the welfare of the society.Niyama:Fixed observance, they are, Shaucha (purity), santosha (content), tapas (austerity) , swadhyaya (self study), Ishwara pranidhana(surrendering to lord). If one follows them systematically, then riots, anger, hatred and aversion will slowly disappear from the society.
Mere practice of rituals and debates on yoga topics wont give any result, only Abhyasa(dedicated practice) is the method through which one gets yoga sadhana. The obstacles in the practice of yoga are sleep, laziness and disease. One has to remove these by the root and throw them away in order to keep the yoga practice regular and continuous.