Ashtanga is a Sanskrit term that means "having eight limbs or components." The term comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and refers to his eight-fold path of yoga. In his writings, the yogic sage outlined eight limbs of yoga -- eight steps on the path of internal purification that lead to discovery of the Universal of Supreme Self.
These eight stages are:
• Yama (universal morality)
• Niyama (self-study and discipline)
• Asana (posture)
• Pranayama (breath control)
• Pratyahara (control of the senses)
• Dharana (concentration)
• Dhyana (meditation)
• Samadhi (union with the Divine)
The term is also used to describe Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga was not specifically mentioned by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, but it later came to describe the eight limbs, or components, of yoga contained within his text. Ashtanga yoga itself was developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and T. Krishnamacharya in the 20th century. It originated from a system of Hatha yoga as described in an ancient text called the "Yoga Korunta."