Synopsis The Patanjala Yoga philosophy, which is one of the six systems constituting Vedic philosophy, is also known as Asthanga Yoga (The yoga of eight parts or limbs) and is closely related to Sankhya and Vedantic philosophy. Asthanga Yoga is the practical manifestation of both these philosophies. This practical system attempts to understand the nature of the elusive element we know as 'mind' – its different states of being, impediments to growth, afflictions and the methods of harnessing it for the achievement of absolute self realization.