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Yoga Sutra


Submitted by Kevin Pederson on May 18, 2010
Yoga Sutra
The yoga sutras are a collection of the principles of practice of yoga. These sutras were collected by sage Patanjali and put together in one place for posterity’s sake. The book, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, outlines the art of yoga and the science behind it. It also helps a person reach the stage of the highest self realization.

The yoga sutras are a series of codes that are basically derived from the ancient practices. Many believe that they are a new system in themselves. However, that is not true. In fact, the yoga sutras are a very terse way of bringing together the mannerisms of the ancient India. The sutras suggest that the yogic way of life was practiced as early as 3000 BC. Though written records point to such an ancient date, folk lore suggests that yoga as a way of life dates even before 3000 BC.

The word “yoga” essentially means a union, and the word “sutra” means thread. The state of joining in yoga can be interpreted in many different ways. This state is the same as that of samadhi. These states of insight and direct experiences are woven together by a thread, in the form of the yoga sutras. Yoga sutras of Patanjali talk about dhyana yoga primarily, which is of a spiritual nature and encourages the practitioner to join the self with a higher power in order to gain a higher consciousness and be more aware of the connections of the self with the surroundings and the almighty. Over a period of time, these yoga sutras have been translated into many languages and contexts in order to spread their benefits. The different commentaries on the yoga sutra book are different people’s views of how sage Patanjali would have viewed the practices of yoga in his times.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali -  Integral Yoga Book
Swami Aurobindo and his mother have talked about integral yoga, or complete yoga, which is already written in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Yoga works in many ways, but when one practitioner decides to practice it in the everyday life, the practitioner integrates yoga with their life in more ways than one. This not only means that the practitioner changes the way they think but also makes advantageous changes in their everyday life and lifestyle.

Yoga effects are known almost to all, even those who do not practice yoga regularly. The yogic technique, however, is known most for the relaxation and stress busting effects that it has.

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