In order to allow the reader the opportunity to consider the specific text of some of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we have chosen to reproduce the 17 aphorisms that specifically deal with 'The Eight Limbs' as translated from the Sanskrit over 100 years ago by Charles Johnston.

2.29 The Eight means of Yoga are the Commandments, the rules, right Poise, right Control of the life force, Withdrawal, Attention, Meditation, Contemplation

2.30 The Commandments are these: non injury, truthfulness, abstaining from stealing, from impurity, from covetousness

2.31 The Commandments, not limited to any race, place, time or occasion,universal, are the great obligation

2.32 The rules are these: purity, serenity, fervent aspiration, spiritual reading and perfect obedience to the master

2.33 When transgressions hinder, the weight of the imagination should bethrown on the opposite side

2.34 Transgressions are injury, falsehood, theft, incontinence, envy ; whethercommitted, or caused, or assented to, through greed, wrath, or infatuation whether faint, or middling, or excessive; bearing endless fruit of ignorance and pain. Therefore must the weight be cast on the other side

2.35 Where non injury is perfected, all enmity ceases in the presence of those who possess it

2.36 When we are perfected in truth, all acts and their fruits descend upon us

2.37 Where cessation from theft is perfected, all treasures present themselves to those who possess it

2.38 For those who are perfected in continence, the reward is valour and virility

2.39 Where there is firm conquest of covetousness, those who have conquered it awake to the how and why of life

2.40 Through purity comes a withdrawal from one's own bodily life, a ceasingfrom infatuation with the bodily life of others

2.41 To the pure of heart come also a quiet spirit, one pointed thought, thevictory over sensuality and fitness to behold the Soul

2.42 From acceptance, disciples gain happiness supreme
 
2.43 The perfection of the powers of the bodily vesture comes through the wearing away ofimpurities and through fervent aspiration

2.44 Through spiritual reading, disciples gain communion with the divine power on whichtheir hearts are set

2.45 Soul vision is perfected through perfect obedience to the Master

Translation CHARLES JOHNSTON c1912
 
I must admit that these relatively few lines have far reaching and profound implications and it would serve you well to explore as many different translations of Patanjali's Sutras as you can. Mr.Johnston's somewhat concise interpretation actually cuts right to the heart of it all. Yoga is based on a sound philosophy and deep psychology, it is not a form of magic or some paranormal feat of any kind.

My beloved, we embrace you, for we are travelers too,
Once, our hearts seemed to be the dwelling place of loneliness,
But truly, we were not looking in the right place..........

OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI
Aum, peace, peace, peace