In today’s world, yoga is often seen as a workout—a way to tone the body, build flexibility, or de-stress after a long day. While these benefits are beautiful and real, they barely scratch the surface of what yoga truly is.
As a lifelong student and teacher of this ancient path, I’ve come to understand that the real meaning of yoga is not about how far you can stretch, but how deeply you can connect. Yoga is a way of being—a practice that moves beyond poses and into your breath, your thoughts, and your way of living.
The Roots of Yoga: More Than 5,000 Years Old
Yoga’s roots trace back over centuries, with references scattered across the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, and most famously, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. This profound text—compiled by the sage Patanjali—lays down the philosophical foundation of yoga in just 196 sutras (aphorisms).
And right at the beginning, Patanjali gives us the core definition of yoga:
“Yogaś chitta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ”
(Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind) — Yoga Sutra 1.2
These seven Sanskrit words changed my life. Because they reminded me that yoga is not about the external—it’s about the inner stillness.
Chitta Vritti Nirodhah: Quieting the Mind
Let’s break it down:
- Chitta means the mind-stuff—our thoughts, memories, emotions, desires.
- Vritti are the waves or patterns—mental fluctuations that pull us in every direction.
- Nirodhah is the cessation, or quieting.
So yoga, in essence, is the practice of calming those inner ripples to return to our natural state of clarity, presence, and peace.
I often tell my students: “It’s not about controlling your mind, it’s about understanding it.” That awareness is the beginning of real transformation.
The Goal of Yoga: Union, Alignment, Freedom
The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning to unite. But what are we uniting?
It’s the union of:
- Body and breath
- Thought and awareness
- Self and spirit
- The individual and the universal
The goal of yoga is not a handstand or a perfect practice—it’s inner liberation. What the texts call Kaivalya or Moksha—freedom from suffering, and alignment with our highest self.
And this journey isn’t abstract. It’s lived through everyday actions, breath by breath, choice by choice.
The Scriptures and Their Relevance Today
Texts like the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika weren’t just spiritual commentaries—they were manuals for life. They gave tools to help us manage the human mind, navigate our emotions, and cultivate balance amidst chaos.
In a world of overstimulation, yoga’s call to go within is more relevant than ever. The ancient wisdom of Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), and Dhyana (meditation) are tools we can use every day to restore calm and clarity.
A Personal Reflection: Living Yoga, Not Performing It
For me, yoga began with movement, but deepened through silence. It’s what helped me leave behind the noise of the outside world and begin listening to the wisdom inside.
I still love a strong asana practice—but the real yoga happens when I respond with compassion instead of reaction, when I pause to breathe before speaking, when I choose presence over distraction.
That’s why I always say:
“Yoga doesn’t end when you roll up your mat. It begins there.”
Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are
You don’t have to know Sanskrit or sit in lotus to begin. The real yoga begins when you slow down, breathe consciously, and pay attention to how you live.
Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time practitioner, let this be a reminder: Yoga is not a destination—it’s a practice of coming home to yourself.