As per sage Patanjali’s classification the Ashtanga or the Eight Limbs of Yoga are : 

• YAMA
• NIYAMA
• ASANA
• PRANAYAMA
• PRATYAHARA
• DHARANA
• DHYAN
• SAMADHI

This Eight Limbs are very much essential for the complete transformation from the inner to the outer.The practise of Ashtanga yoga, when done with complete dedication and determination, leads to the depletion of all impurities, illuminates our ignorance, and develops knowledge.The practise of Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dedicated individual practise under the guidance of a teacher. The essence of the practise is experience and self-exploration. Ashtanga Vinyasa is the combination of asanas, breathing, and drishti. These three key points cover all levels of purification during the practise. Asanas purify, strengthen, and give flexibility to the body. Breathing steadily and deeply purifies the nervous system. Dristhi, where you look while in the asana, purifies and stabilises the functioning of the mind. 

The aim of abhyasa, or dedicated practice, is kaivalya, a state of freedom from miseries and suffering caused by your own thoughts. The main objective is to quiet our minds. The steadfastness of practise mainly deals with the management of our monkey mind to achieve self-awareness and live our lives consciously. The asanas, or postures, are maintained with stability so the practitioner is able to witness and gain more control over the thought process to attain inner calm.