If I asked you, what is yoga?, would your answer include words like āsana, mindfulness, stress relief, or flexibility? If so, you are not alone. The modern understanding of yoga often revolves around movement, relaxation, and wellness.
Yoga is now a mainstream word. It appears on social media, in fitness studios, and in self-care routines. But have we ever stopped to ask, is this what Sage Patañjali truly intended when he compiled the Yoga Sūtra?
Patañjali, often credited as the codifier of yoga, left us with a profound system, a science of the mind, not a set of physical exercises. And yet, in today’s world, his teachings are reduced to Instagram-friendly poses and pop-spirituality affirmations.
So, have we truly understood the Yoga of Patañjali? Or have we conveniently repackaged it to fit our desires and modern lifestyles?
So, what is the real essence of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra?
At the heart of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra is Chitta Vritti Nirodha - "Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind."
Let that sink in for a moment. Yoga is not about touching your toes or standing on your hands but about silencing the noise within.
The entire framework of the Yoga Sūtra is dedicated to this one goal - stilling the mind so we can perceive reality as it is, free from our distortions, desires, and fears.
Yet, what do we often see today? Yoga marketed as a means to a “better body” or a “calmer life.” While yoga certainly improves physical and mental well-being, its true aim is liberation (kaivalya), not six-pack abs or a stress-free evening.
Let’s ask ourselves:
Are we practising yoga, or are we just borrowing its name for our personal gains?
Do we want to be yogis, or do we want yoga to serve our modern-day preferences?
Ashtānga Yoga - Not just a style, But a path to freedom
If there is one thing from the Yoga Sūtra that gets frequently misrepresented, it is Ashtānga Yoga. Not the sweaty, physically demanding practice branded as Ashtanga Vinyasa from Mysore, but the eight-limbed path that Patañjali outlined for true yogic living:
Yama (Ethical Restraints) - How we treat others
Niyama (Personal Discipline) - How we cultivate ourselves
Āsana (Seat) - For meditation
Prāṇāyāma (Breath Control) - Mastering the life force
Pratyāhāra (Withdrawal of Senses) - Turning inward
Dhāraṇā (Concentration) - Focusing the mind
Dhyāna (Meditation) - Absorbing into stillness
Samādhi (Ultimate Absorption) - Freedom from suffering
Yet, in yoga studios worldwide, most people stop at āsana from Hatha Yoga (misunderstanding it with Patañjali’s āsana) and perhaps sprinkle in a bit of meditation if time allows.
Can we claim to follow Patañjali when we neglect more than half of what he prescribed?
When was the last time we truly reflected on Yama and Niyama - the foundation of yoga?
Are we living yoga, or just performing it?
Why do we struggle with Patañjali’s Yoga Sutra?
Patañjali’s yoga asks something of us that modern society actively resists: introspection, discipline, and self-mastery.
We live in a world of instant gratification, yet Patañjali demands patience.We chase distractions, but he calls for withdrawal.We are encouraged to assert our opinions, but he urges silence and deep inquiry.
No wonder we struggle with his teachings.
Think about this
How often do we consume yoga teachings without actually applying them?
Do we prioritise ethical living (Yama) or just physical ability?
Are we willing to confront our attachments, fears, and biases, or do we use yoga as an escape?
Yoga, as Patañjali describes, is not about comfort. It is about dismantling the illusions of the mind, and that is never an easy task.
Bringing Patañjali’s Yoga into daily life
It is easy to point fingers at the modern yoga industry, but yoga begins with us.
How can we reclaim the essence of the Yoga Sūtra in our own lives? Here are a few simple yet profound ways:
1. Start with Yama and Niyama
Before obsessing over advanced poses, focus on ethical living. Can we practise non-violence (ahimsā) not just in action, but in speech and thought? Can we cultivate contentment (santoṣa) instead of constantly seeking more?
2. Rethink āsana as a means, not an end
Patañjali mentions āsana only briefly. "Sthira sukham āsanam" - a posture should be steady and comfortable.
That is it.
No mention of extreme flexibility, complex sequences, or perfect form. The purpose of āsana is to prepare the body for meditation, not to perform acrobatics.
3. Practise Pratyāhāra daily
With endless notifications, entertainment, and distractions, sensory withdrawal is harder than ever.
Simple acts like sitting in silence, avoiding unnecessary media, or spending time in nature can cultivate this inner stillness.
4. Make meditation a non-negotiable
Dhyāna, true meditation, is not a five-minute stress-relief hack.
It is the heart of yoga. If we are not able to find calm in our monkey mind, we are not truly practising yoga.
5. Question everything
Patañjali’s path is about breaking through ignorance.
This requires questioning our beliefs, biases, and even the yoga industry itself.
What have we accepted without reflection?
What fears prevent us from truly embracing yoga beyond the physical?
The choice is ours
The Yoga of Patañjali is not lost, but it does require effort to reclaim.
We can continue treating yoga as a fitness routine, a lifestyle brand, or a performance, or we can take responsibility and step into its deeper wisdom.
Yoga is not about adding anything. It is about removing the illusions that keep us trapped.
It is about clarity, discipline, and freedom.
But the question remains: Are we ready to embrace yoga as Patañjali intended?
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Until next time, keep questioning, keep practising, and most importantly, keep seeking.
Namaste!
Madhura x
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