Ketaki Joshi · Follow 3 min read · -- Explaining the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga philosophy. Ashtanga Yoga has 8 limbs- Yama, Niyama, Pranayma, Asana, Pratayhar, Dhyan, Dharana and Samadhi. That is why Yoga doesn’t translate to only being able to do asanas. What are Yamas? Yama is the first limb/anga of Ashtanga yoga. Yama can be interpreted in multiple ways but loosely related to how you behave with the outside world. Maharshi Patanjali explained five disciplinary rules in the form of Yoga Sutras.