Before I took my first yoga teacher training, I had no idea that something like the Yoga Sutras existed. I just thought yoga was about the poses, breathing and resting. I didn’t realize that there were philosophical teachings associated with the yoga practice. Sometimes teachers would weave in little teachings, but I didn’t really understand that there was a source for some of those teachings. Now of course there are many places that I draw inspiration from for my practice and classes, but the sutras have offered me great inspiration to guide not only my yoga practice but the way I’m doing my life as well.

Super simply, the Yoga Sutras are a collection of teachings that were verbally passed down from teacher to student until they were written down and collected in one place. They share with us how to develop our wisdom, ways to be in our practice, ways to be in our life, even ways to be in the world.

Now honestly, I have not read all of the sutras…but there are a few that really resonate with me that I keep coming back to again and again.

One of my favorites is from Book II, Sutra 46 – Sthira Sukham Asanam - Asana is a steady comfortable posture (as translated from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda).

This is a teaching the guides me both on and off the mat. As someone who tends to push-push-push, this is a great reminder to notice when I want to push and try to back off, even a little. And slowly I’m learning to balance the pushing – the effort – the sthira with backing off - with ease – with sukha. Often in my practice and in my classes I ask myself and my students what is the right amount of effort to create a pose or an action. Discerning just the right amount of effort takes focus and attention so that we are not too forceful and not too lax. It’s the sweet spot in the middle. A little like Goldilocks.

And our mats are not the only places where these teachings and practices are applicable. In fact, just this morning I got to put this teaching into action. After a long night’s discussion with my kiddo about some of the things weighing on her mind, I got to bed two hours later than I should have. When my alarm went off this morning, I could have pushed my way to get up and get on with my day (too much sthira) or I could have stayed in bed for 2 or 3 more hours (too much sukha). Finding the balance between the two, I stayed an extra half hour to get a little more rest without jeopardizing my commitments for the morning.

So whether it’s a challenging yoga pose or something challenging in your personal life, these teachings can be great guides and can apply both on and off your mat so that you can not only do yoga, but live your yoga.

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