The constituent parts and progressive steps of Yoga, are composed of a series of bodily, mental and spiritual practices, the proper exercise of which conduces to the making of a perfect man, as a moral, intellectual and spiritual being, to be united to his Maker in the present and future worlds. These are called the eight stages of _Yoga_ (अष्टाङ्ग योग), of which some are external (बहिरङ्ग) and others internal (अन्तरङ्गानि). The external ones are: _1st._ _Yama_ (यम); Forbearance or restraint of passions, feelings &c., including the best moral rules in all religions. _2nd._ _Niyama_ (नियम ); Particular rules and vows for the observance of the _Yogi_. _3rd._ _Asana_ (आसन); sedate position of the body to help deep meditation. _4th._ Pránáyáma (प्राणायाम); Suppression and suspension of breath. _5th._ Pratyáhára (प्रत्याहार), Restraint or control of senses and organs. Among the internal practices are reckoned the following; _viz._; _6th._ _Dhyána_ (ध्यान); Inward contemplation and meditation. _7th._ _Dháraná_ (धारणा); Steadiness of the mind in study. _8th._ _Samádhi_ (समाधि), Trance, the last stage of _Yoga_. These again comprise some other acts under each of them, such as; I. _Yama_ (समयम) Restraint includes five acts under it; _1st._ _Ahimsá_ (अहिंसा); Universal innocence or hurting no animal creature. _2nd._ _Asteyam_ (अस्तेयं); Avoidance of theft or stealth. _3rd._ _Satyam_ (सत्यं); Observance of truth. _4th._ _Brahmacharyam_ (ब्रह्मचर्यं); consisting in purity and chastity. _5th._ _Aparigraha_ (अपरिग्रह); Disinterestedness. II. _Niyama_ (नियम पञ्चधा); Moral rules consisting of five-fold acts. _Viz._; _1st._ _Saucham_ (शौचं); Personal cleanliness. _2nd._ _Santosha_ (सन्तोषः); contentment. _3rd._ _Tapas_ (तपस्); Devotion including self denial and self mortification. _4th._ _Sádhyáya_ (साध्याय); knowledge of all nature. _5th._ _Pranidhána_ (ईश्वर प्रनिधानं); Adoration of God. III. _Asana_ (आसन); Different modes of postures, tranquil posture (पद्मासन) &c. IV. _Pránáyáma_ (प्राणायामः); Rules of Respiration, three sorts, viz.; _1st._ _Rechaka_ (रेचकं); Expiration or Exhalation. _2nd._ _Púraka_ (पूरकं); Inspiration or Inhalation. _3rd._ _Kumbhaka_ (कुम्भकं अष्टधा); Suppression of breathing, eight ways. V. _Pratyáhára_ (प्रत्याहारः इन्द्रिय निग्रहः) Restraining the senses from their gratifications in many ways. VI. _Dhyána_ (ध्यान चित्तनिरोधः); Abstract contemplation, apart from the testimonies of:— 1. Pratyaxa (प्रत्यक्ष); Perceptions. 2. Pramána (प्रमाणं); Apprehensions. 3. Anumána (अनुमान); Inference. 4. Sabda (शब्दः); Verbal testimony. VII. _Dháraná_ (धारणा); Retentiveness. VIII. _Samádhi_ (समाधि); Absorption in meditation, in two ways; 1. _Savikalpa_ (सबिकल्पः); With retention of self volition. 2. _Nirvikalpa_ (निर्बिकल्पः); _With loss of volition._ The Upáyas (उपायाः); Or the means spoken of before are;