What are the Yoga Sutras?
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of principles explaining the practice of Yoga that were compiled by Sage Patanjali. The Sutras are classified into 4 chapters of which there are a different number of Sutras in each chapter. Who Patanjali was exactly, or when the Sutras were created is widely debated. It is thought that perhaps they were created around the 5th century. The Yoga Sutras are considered to be the foundation of knowledge explaining the practice of Yoga that is handed down from Teacher to student.
The Yoga Sutras are written in the ancient language of Sanskrit. It is a beautiful and powerful language. The Yoga Sutras are often communicated in both its written format in Sanskrit, and through chanting the Yoga Sutras.
An excellent text for studying the Yoga Sutras is Four Chapters on Freedom: Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali written by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
The text gives a very good explanation of each of the Sutras and is highly regarded. I have based my translation on this text. Reading the book can be quite challenging if you do not have a fairly good understanding of some key words that are in Sanskrit. The explanations of the Sutras are then consequently somewhat distracting, as you need to continually look up the meaning of key words.
By chanting the Sutras, it is thought that the sound vibration felt in the body is very healing. Studying the Yoga Sutras is regarded as a type of Yoga Practice in the form of Jnana Yoga. This is the yoga of attaining knowledge or self realisation.
The best recording for study of the Yoga Sutras I have come across is available on Spotify. This recording is the closest I have heard which resembles the Sutras my Yoga Teacher taught me when I was learning to be a Yoga Teacher. Sounds and pronunciation are very important in this oral tradition.
I have translated Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in to English without any Sanskrit. There are four videos uploaded to my YouTube @thinkingfeelingmoving reflecting each of the 4 chapters.
I hope that it will enhance and deepen the understanding of Yoga for those who practice it.
I feel that Patanjali’s teachings are being lost, as many people who practice are simply not aware of the Sutras, or do not regularly have a chance to reflect upon them.
The application of the Sutras are useful to reflect upon both personally and professionally.
Lisa McGarva -Clinical Sexologist, Relationship Therapist, Counsellor, Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Educator. Lisa is the founder of Thinking Feeling Moving, an online global Private Practice where clients can access better health in their mind, body, and in their relationships. Online sessions available globally, you may make a booking through the website https://www.thinkingfeelingmoving.com
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