The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Understanding the Fundamentals of the Yoga Practice

The yoga sutras are some of the first written record we have of the yoga practice. They are ancient philosophies passed down from guru to student, and describe the purpose, intention, and major aspects of yoga. Initially these texts were strictly verbally taught until Sage Patanjali wrote physical copies in the sanskrit language. The sutras were then translated and expanded upon by Sri Swami Satchidananda, which is the most common translation seen today in studios and teacher trainings across the nation.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is my favorite book to recommend to students looking to deepen their awareness and yoga practice. The physical book is broken down into four main parts; the portion on contemplation, the portion on practice, the portion on accomplishments, and the portion on absoluteness.

Consequently, when you are studying the yoga sutras, your practice will evolve as you move through each portion. There are 196 verses of the yoga sutras, each offering their own little nuggets of wisdom regarding the practice and philosophy of yoga.

The Four Portions of the Yoga Sutras

The first book, the book on contemplation, prepares the mind to practice. This book offers insight into the mental benefits of yoga. Additionally, it discusses the mental shifts you will experience as your practice evolves. Traditionally, students are taught the mental restrictions first before moving onto the physical practice, or asana.

It isn’t until the second book, the portion on practice, that the physical postures of yoga are mentioned. In this portion, Patanjali discusses the intention of the asana, as well as how to approach the asana in order to receive the most benefits. Naturally, the second book touches on how the physical practice correlates with the mind.

Next, the portion on accomplishments. This portion can be deceiving as yoga is not a competition. Accomplishment is not something to aim for or hold in high regard. Accomplishment is a natural progression of the practice and can only be achieved when you let go of attachment to achievement itself.

The portion on accomplishments describes the shifts you will experience as your practice deepens. Not only does it touch on the mind, but it discusses the physical and energetic qualities as well. Through this portion you are able to track your progress as a student, and prepare yourself for whats to come. This portion is extremely powerful as you really dive into the heart of the yoga practice and it’s benefits.

Finally, the portion on absoluteness. The last book of the sutras sums up the journey of the yoga student and practitioner. It is the description of enlightenment and reveals the end result of the teachings from the first three books. Here, you as the student, can come full circle and truly understand the inner workings of the yogic lifestyle.

The yoga sutras are the philosophical foundation of the yoga practice, similar to the eight limbed path. Without awareness and understanding of these sutras, it can be extremely challenging to fully submerse yourself into the yogic lifestyle. One of my favorite aspects of these sutras is that they offer many ways to practice yoga off the mat. Often times we focus on the asana of the practice, and while the asana poses many benefits, it is not the entirety of yoga. If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge, and personal being, I highly recommend diving into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

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