What Is Yoga Philosophy?

For many, yoga is a physical practice steeped in mystery. People may understand how yoga benefits the physical body and even the mind. It can help combat sitting all day at work, for instance. Yet, they are unclear about how this practice impacts them on a higher level, including spiritually. This is where yoga philosophy comes into play.

Why Yoga Philosophy is Important

Learning about yoga philosophy is like being given a key that unlocks the door to greater levels of happiness and inner peace in everyday life. You become acutely aware of what yoga can do beyond building strength, improving flexibility, or inducing relaxation. 

By adhering to the philosophy behind this practice, you’re able to unlock your unconscious and deepen your spirituality. You become clearer about who you are. You also gain clarity on how to live life in a way that brightens the world around you.

When faced with everyday stressors, such as someone cutting you off in traffic, you’re able to remain calm. You have greater compassion for others and aren’t as quick to anger. Life feels more serene and less like a roller coaster ride of extreme emotions based on other people’s actions.

Defining Philosophy

Yoga philosophy can be somewhat complex. Therefore, it can be helpful to first understand what philosophy is, in general. 

Merriam-Webster defines philosophy, in part, as a “pursuit of wisdom” (1). It is a search for understanding based on philosophical concepts. It incorporates ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and more.

Put simply, philosophy involves learning who we are, including our values, knowledge, and purpose. It is also a way to better understand the world around us, and how we interact with this world.

What Is Yoga Philosophy?

Applying the above definition, yoga philosophy involves a better understanding of the connection between our body, mind, and spirit. It does not see these three aspects as being separate. Instead, they are all linked, creating who we are as a whole being. 

The word yoga means to “connect” or “unite.” It comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means “to yoke” or to join with.

Yoga philosophy seeks to increase one’s spiritual knowledge. It also strives to boost self-awareness. Through yoga, you begin to gain insight into yourself and others. You’re able to “see” things that a less-aware mind cannot. 

This helps you make better decisions, leading toward a more peaceful and satisfying life. Yoga enriches you mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

The Foundation of Yoga Philosophy 

Yoga is a practice that is rooted in Indian philosophy. It is one of the six systems known as darshans. Darshan (also sometimes spelled darshana) means “sight” or “vision.” It is a ceremonial practice in Hinduism that enables participants to grow spiritually. It also contributes to greater levels of fulfillment in life. 

One of the foundational resources for yoga philosophy is the Yoga Sutra. This is a collection of 196 sutras or observations of general truths. It was written around 500 B.C. by a sage named Patanjali. Patanjali is a founder of Ashtanga yoga, one of many yoga styles that exist today.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters: 

• The first chapter is Samadhi Pada and has 51 sutras. This chapter talks about what yoga is. It also shares what one can achieve by developing an asana practice. 

• The second chapter is Sadhana Pada and has 55 sutras. These sutras outline the first five steps to developing a practice in line with yoga philosophy. 

• The third chapter is Vibhuti Pada and has 56 sutras. These sutras cover the last three steps of a practice aligned with yoga philosophy.

• The fourth chapter is Kaivalya Pada and contains the remaining 34 sutras. These sutras are about how to achieve the highest level of achievement when practicing yoga.

For example, in the first chapter, the second Patanjali Yoga Sutra is Yogaha chitta vritti nirodhah. Translate the words from Sanskrit and this sutra means that yoga is about control of the mind. It involves controlling how the mind functions, as well as controlling any changes to the mind.

8 Limbs of Yogic Philosophy

Reaching the highest level of achievement in yoga involves taking certain steps. These steps are referred to as the eight limbs of yoga and are covered in the second and third chapters of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. 

They are:

1. Yama. This first limb is about social discipline. The principles in this limb include being truthful, not stealing or hoarding, not harming others, and mindfully using our sexual energy.

2. Niyama. The second limb is about practicing self-discipline. It involves having a clean space so we can have a clean mind. It includes practicing contentment and going on a journey of self-knowledge. It also acknowledges that there will be pain along the way but, with continued practice, we can achieve mastery.

3. Asana. The third limb is about yoga postures. It involves being mindful when doing yoga poses. It’s also important to be relaxed so the body and mind can fully connect.

4. Pranayama. The fourth limb is about breath control. Breathing mindfully can change the way we interact with the world around us. 

5. Pratyahara. The fifth limb is about sense withdrawal. By withdrawing our sense of the outer world, we can look internally with greater ease. We’re able to tune out things in life that can be harmful to us. 

6. Dharana. The sixth limb is about concentration. The better we can concentrate, the deeper our meditation. Stronger concentration also contributes to better performance and care.

7. Dhyana. The seventh limb is about meditation. It is about being present in the moment. This helps improve our clarity. It also brings us greater levels of peace.

8. Samadhi. The eighth limb is about self-realization or enlightenment. This represents mastery of all the sutras. It is when we achieve the pinnacle of what yoga has to offer. 

Ways to Incorporate These Philosophies into Your Yoga Practice and Life

The main thing to remember when it comes to yoga is that it is a journey. The more you practice, the further you can go. Yoga transitions from being a way to exercise your body to being a meditation practice. You’re able to unlock your inner self and better connect all aspects of yourself—body, mind, and spirit.

If you’re new to yoga, start slowly. Do it for just a few minutes each day. Get used to the postures and the transitions between them. Work on your breathing and pay attention to your posture. (Using proper physical posture is important to avoiding injury.)

Start with the first limb of yoga, working on your social discipline. Next, move to self-discipline and so on. Choose to live life in a way that aligns with the yoga philosophy. Seek to learn more about yourself and how you interact with the world.

Over time, you’ll start to feel your body and mind relax. You’ll notice that you’re able to get into a meditation state with greater ease. Each yoga asana furthers your ability to turn your focus inward. Each physical posture transitions seamlessly into the next.  

Can You Do Yoga Without It Being a Spiritual Practice?

Do you have to adhere to the yoga philosophy to do this physical activity? Not at all. If you want to do yoga solely for its mental or physical health benefits, that’s okay too.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health shares that these benefits include (2):

• easing back and neck pain

• relieving stress

• helping you to lose weight

• making it easier to quit smoking

• better management of anxiety and depression

• reduced menopause symptoms

• greater quality of life

Helping Others on Their Yoga Journey

You can take an active role in other people’s journeys as a yoga instructor. Teach them how to achieve a state of meditation with yoga. Talk about yoga philosophy and how it can help them live a happier, more fulfilling life. 

If you’re ready to get started, International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) offers yoga teacher training. The ISSA Yoga and Wellness Academy’s Yoga 200 course is approved by the Yoga Alliance. It goes into yoga philosophy more in-depth. You also learn strategies to be an effective yoga teacher, such as how to break down and modify yoga postures and tips for leading a yoga class.

References

1. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Philosophy. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 7, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philosophy

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April). Yoga: What you need to know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-what-you-need-to-know