Exploring the deeper meaning of yoga and the practice of finding stillness amongst the movement of everyday life.
When we think of yoga, it’s easy to picture the physical practice. The postures, the movement, the familiar shape of a yoga mat beneath our feet.
But yoga is so much more than that.
At its heart, yoga is an invitation to turn inward. To become a little more present, to quiet the constant movement of the mind and to reconnect with ourselves beneath the layers of everyday life.
One of the teachings that has always resonated deeply with me comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:
Yogaś Citta Vṛtti Nirodhaḥ
Often translated as the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.
A little about the Yoga Sutras
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of ancient teachings traditionally attributed to the sage Patanjali. Written in short, meaningful statements known as sutras, they offer guidance on the philosophy and practice of yoga, exploring the mind, awareness, self-understanding and the path towards inner stillness.
Rather than focusing on the physical postures alone, the Yoga Sutras explore yoga as a way of living and being.
There are 196 sutras grouped into four chapters, each exploring different aspects of the practice.
The second sutra, Yogaś Citta Vṛtti Nirodhaḥ, is particularly significant. It is often considered a defining statement of what yoga truly is.
What does Yogaś Citta Vṛtti Nirodhaḥ mean?
Yoga refers to union or integration.
Citta refers to the mind or consciousness.
Vṛtti describes the movements, fluctuations or patterns of the mind.
Nirodhaḥ refers to stilling, quietening or bringing these movements to rest.
This sutra points towards a state in which we are less caught up in our constant thoughts, reactions, worries and distractions.
I think most of us can relate to how busy the mind can become.
Our thoughts move between the past and the future. We replay conversations, make plans, worry about what might happen next and often find ourselves moving through the day without really being present in it.
This teaching reminds us that beneath all of that movement, there is an opportunity to find stillness.
Not necessarily by stopping our thoughts altogether, but by learning to notice them without becoming completely absorbed in them.
Finding stillness through practice
This is where the different practices of yoga become so meaningful.
Through asana, the physical postures, we bring awareness to the body. We begin to notice how we move, where we hold tension and what we are experiencing in the present moment.
Through pranayama, the practice of conscious breathing, we begin to work with the breath. A slower, more intentional breath can help settle the nervous system, soften the body’s response to stress and bring our attention back to the here and now.
Through meditation, we create an opportunity to become the observer of our thoughts rather than being carried away by each one.
Each offers a different pathway towards the same intention: becoming more present and creating space between ourselves and the constant movement of the mind.
It isn’t about achieving a perfect pose or trying to empty the mind. It’s about developing awareness and gradually finding a little more space within ourselves.
Yoga beyond the mat
For me, this is where the true beauty of yoga lies.
The practice doesn’t end when we roll up our mat.
Perhaps it’s in the moment we pause before reacting to something. Or when we take a few conscious breaths during a busy day. When we notice ourselves becoming overwhelmed and choose to slow down, even just for a moment.
Perhaps it’s in the way we move through change, respond to challenges or become a little more accepting of ourselves and others.
We may not always feel calm or find stillness, and that’s okay. Life will continue to move, thoughts will come and go and there will always be times when things feel uncertain or overwhelming.
Yoga doesn’t ask us to step away from life. Instead, it offers us tools to meet life with a little more awareness, steadiness and intention.
A way home to ourselves
Sometimes the most meaningful practice is simply taking a moment to pause.
To feel your feet on the earth. To notice your breath. To allow yourself to be exactly where you are, without needing to change anything.
Like the rhythm of the ocean, there will always be movement. Thoughts will rise and fall, just as the waves do.
But beneath that movement, we can begin to discover a little more stillness.
And return to steadiness.. to come home to ourselves.
If you’d like to learn more about my approach to yoga and the philosophy behind Katie Dow Yoga, you can read more on my About page.
With love,
Katie x
