What Are Yoga Sutras? – What You Need To Know

I’m always interested to learn more about yoga. What are yoga sutras and how they originated seems like something we want to find out more about.

The yoga philosophy brings us so much wisdom from the past and has been handed down through each generation.

One of the ways this is done is with a variety of texts and scriptures, including the Yoga Sutras.

They give us in depth guidance about the philosophy and practice of yoga.

What Are Yoga Sutras?

The Yoga Sutras were believed to be written by the Indian sage Patanjali, who lived around 200 BCE (this is over 2000 years ago).

Patanjali’s writing aimed to create a comprehensive framework that could guide individuals toward spiritual awakening and self-realization.

His intention when he wrote the Yoga Sutras was to leave us a very detailed guide on the theory and practice of yoga.

He compiled and organized all the previous information ever written about yoga from much older traditions.

These days they are considered to be one of the foundational texts teaching us about yoga philosophy throughout the world.

Understanding the Yoga Sutras

The ‘eight limbs’ of yoga

At the heart of the Yoga Sutras was his idea of Ashtanga Yoga – also known as the eight limbs of yoga.

He describes the eight limbs as:

1. Yama – self control
2. Niyama – self regulation
3. Asana – physical poses
4. Pranayama – breathwork
5. Pratyahara – controlled senses
6. Dharana – concentration
7. Dhyana – meditation
8. Samadhi – enlightenment

These eight limbs together are a pathway to guide us from behaving ethically to achieving profound self-realization.

The four paths of yoga

The Yoga Sutras offer us four main paths also called ‘sadhana’ from which we can approach our spiritual life.

I like that Patanjali catered each path to allow for different temperaments and preferences.

He recognized that we are all different and would appreciate a variety of approcahes.

The four paths are:

1. Karma Yoga – Path of action
2. Bhakti Yoga – Path of devotion
3. Jnana Yoga – Path of knowledge
4. Raja Yoga – Path of meditation

Patanjali said that based on our personality and preferences we should chose the most appropriate path.

This allows everyone to feel included in the practice of yoga.

How Yoga Sutras work with modern yoga practice

Even though the Yoga Sutras were written more than two thousand years ago they are still so relevant for us today.

The universal principles allow people from all backgrounds and cultures to find guidance in their spiritual journey.

The timeless concepts he developed like ethical behaviour and working on our inner awareness guide our personal development and spiritual growth today.

In 2024, many of us are balancing the challenges of modern life and his advice gives us a stable pathway to follow.

How they apply in yoga studios

Yoga teachers regularly include the teachings of the Yoga Sutras in their classes, focusing on the physical postures but also the general philosophy.

By integrating the practices of Yama and Niyama into their classes, we are encouraged to be mindful, compassionate and show self-descipline on and off the yoga mat.

With a focus on Asanas, Pranayamas and Meditation from the Yoga Sutras, we are given a structured approach to our physical health and mental wellbeing too.

Many yoga teachers have researched these concepts, and it helps them support students to find their own transformation through yoga.

Our emotional health

Yoga Sutras go into a lot of detail about how the mind works and about human psychology.

They offer amazing insight into the mind and how we can learn to still the mind and and build more mental clarity.

By addressing our mental challenges, it has given is help in managing stress, anxiety and other mental health issues which seem to be increasing with modern life.

Criticisms and controversy

There have been criticisms of the Yoga Sutras, saying that they are based on a heirarchical and patriarchal world view, possibly alienating some people from diverse backgrounds.

There is also a focus on renunciation and ascetic practices (meaning ideas like fasting, self imposed poverty, sleep deprivation etc). This could be taken as unrealistic in todays society.

It’s important for yoga teachers to have discussions with students about the roots of this advice and have acceptance of how it may work today. Just like with the Bible, we need to have open, honest discussions with each other to help decipher ancient text for modern lives.

Conclusion

Wow, that was a lot of heavy information I know.

What I enjoy is the learning about what is truly behind the yoga practice that we do in our homes and at the yoga studio.

It amazes me that Patanjali all those years ago was able to pull together such valuable information that is still helping us now.

If you want to know more about this have a look at this video, get yourself a cuppa because it’s 3 hours long but worth it.