Exploring the Foundations: A Journey Into Basic Yoga Philosophy for Mind, Body, Spirit

What Is Yoga? A Multifaceted Question

If you ask 10 different yoga teachers what Yoga is, you will likely get 10 different answers.
Yoga is a vast science, rich in philosophy, and steeped in diverse traditions, lineages, and practices—all ultimately lead to one goal: Yoga.

But it can be so confusing in today's world of modern yoga.

• Is yoga a religion?
• Is it about mastering physical poses?
• Is it about being flexible?
• Is it about doing advanced Yogic breathing, or becoming a strict vegetarian?
• Is it about believing in a particular God or Goddess? And if so, which one?
• Is it about wearing all white, Or all Saffron??
• Is it about chakras? 

The truth is that yoga is the goal and the practice, the means, and the end!

And there isn't just one way to practice, and there isn't just one definition of the end goal.

It can be such a wide playing field to explore. It's hard to know what the essence is and where to begin. It's hard to know what's traditional and authentic to yoga's original teachings, and what is watered down, westernized, and monetized yoga. 

Here's What You’ll Learn in This Article:

1. The essence of yoga philosophy
2. A wide scope and context of what yoga truly is
3. An introduction to the Yoga Sutras
4. What the 8 Limbs of Yoga are
5. An overview of the Yamas and Niyamas

Why Is Yoga So Confusing?

Yoga can seem overwhelming because it offers such a broad scope for exploration. It’s difficult to discern the essence of yoga and to understand where to begin:

• What is traditional and authentic to yoga’s original teachings?
• What is modernized, westernized, or monetized yoga?

Why Is Yoga Really?

In its simplest essence, Yoga is Union with Divinity.

For many, this begins as a more tangible goal: union of body, mind, and spirit. However, the ultimate goal of yoga is spiritual union with Divinity.

Yoga is a transformational science that offers many supporting practices and techniques to achieve this specific union.

The Evolution of Yoga in the West

The yoga we encounter in the West today typically represents only a small portion of the science and philosophy that yoga encompasses. Most commonly, we experience variations of Hatha Yoga Science—a practice aimed at achieving harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

Hatha Yoga balances solar (masculine) and lunar (feminine) energies within the physical body, helping to achieve peace of mind and self-awareness. These practices, over time, aid in the greater spiritual pursuit of union with Divinity.

While the essence of yoga remains the same, modern yoga often misses the deeper aspects of the tradition.

The Meaning Behind the Word "Yoga"

The word "yoga" literally translates to “to yoke” or “to join together.”

We often hear that yoga means Union, and it does. This leads to another set of questions:

• Union of what, to what?
• Why should we pursue this union?
• What is its purpose?

Depending on the text you read and the lineage you study, you will get different answers here.  

A bit confusing, right? Let us simplify it for you.

There are many yogic texts, sacred literature, that you can read from to learn the answers to these questions. These sacred texts, although vast and varied, are called Shastra (scriptures) and the specific Shastra you read from will depend on the lineage you are studying.

Sacred Texts and the Foundation of Yoga

The philosophy of yoga is rooted in Shastra which, as we said, varies based on the lineage you learn from.

At the core of all these teachings are foundational texts, including:

• The Vedas: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda
• The Upanishads
• The Puranas

Later writings include:

• The Mahabharata
• The Ramayana
• The Bhagavad Gita

Despite their differences, these texts ALL aim to teach and help us understand:

1. The true nature of who we are
2. The nature of the world we live in
3. How our mind, ego, and consciousness function
4. How to best interface and function within the material world
5. How to live harmoniously for spiritual growth
6. How to cultivate unity with Divinity

Patanjali and the Yoga Sutras

At some point, about 500 years ago, a text was written by Patanjali, in an effort to codify, or streamline all the teachings from these previous texts in a simple, approachable, non-dogmatic and non-sectarian system that allowed the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant/student) to follow a process and achieve union of true Self and Divinity.

This book is called The Yoga Sutras. 

Sutras are texts that are written in aphorisms. Short, concise, sentences that embody a lot of wisdom within them and when unpacked with a knowledgeable teacher, a student can gain depth of understanding of the philosophies, practices and results. 

What Makes the Yoga Sutras Unique?

Patanjali created this text to simplify the scientific, step-by-step practices of yoga, offering a way to achieve yoga without the religious undertones found in other teachings and Shastras. 

This non-dogmatic approach is what makes the Yoga Sutras so unique. While it has become the seminal text for modern-day yoga, its teachings are often presented only in fragments and not explored in depth within the context of our westernized yoga culture.

The text introduces philosophies and practices such as:

• Vairagya: Non-attachment
• Ahimsa: Non-violence
• Tapas: Discipline
• Asana: Posture practice
• Pranayama: Breath control
• Samadhi: Super-conscious states

Patanjali begins the Yoga Sutras defining what yoga is. You may recognize this famous line that many yoga teachers have memorized, “yogas chitta vritti nirodha”—yoga is the stilling of the changing states of mind. 

He then offers practices for how to achieve this yoga, a breakdown of how the mind works, ways in which the ego can impede our process, what happens to us when we pursue and achieve the result of yoga, and what happens when we don't.

Although there is one goal of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, he offers many practices and pathways to achieve Samadhi, a super conscious state. 

Practical Wisdom from the Yoga Sutras

The first two chapters of the Yoga Sutras, Samadhi Pada (the meditative approach) and Sadhana Pada (the practical approach), provide the most relevant and applicable wisdom for navigating modern life. These chapters emphasize practices designed to:

• Still the mind
• Understand the ego
• Develop peace of mind
• Cultivate unity with Divinity

In Samadhi Pada, the first chapter, Patanjali introduces the meditative approach, often referred to as Samadhi Yoga, which focuses on controlling the fluctuations and movements of the mind. For those who may find it challenging to sit and meditate consistently, Patanjali presents a more active and practical alternative in Sadhana Pada, also known as Kriya Yoga. This duality of approaches makes the teachings accessible to people with different needs and temperaments.

These two chapters contain simple yet profound wisdom to transform how we experience life. They guide us toward becoming better people, fostering self-awareness, and deepening our connection to spirit. By practicing these teachings, we learn to show up as our most authentic selves, aligning with what Patanjali describes as “Tadah Drasthu Svarupe Vashtanam”—Standing in our True Form.

In contrast, the last two chapters of the Yoga Sutras are more mystical, cryptic, and ethereal. While fascinating, they delve into topics like mystical powers and advanced states of liberation—levels of consciousness that are incredibly difficult to attain, particularly for those living amidst the demands of modern, busy city life. These chapters, though captivating, offer less practical relevance for the challenges and needs of the present day.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga: A Pathway to Transformation

The most commonly cited part of the Yoga Sutras is Ashtanga Yoga—not to be confused with an Ashtanga Yoga class—the intense power yoga class you may think of founded by Pattabhi Jois.

This Ashtanga Yoga is Patanjali’s philosophical teaching that consists of 8 limbs.

What Are the 8 Limbs of Yoga?

"Ashta" means eight, and "anga" means limbs. These eight limbs provide a step-by-step process for achieving spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

The 8 limbs is a process of practices that lead to a result that you experience with which patanjali refers to as “super conscious state”, the beginnings of what is known as samadhi. Some call this the awakening, leading to achieving being self realized or enlightened, and other states like moksha (liberation) or kaivalya, or nirvana. These are all different levels of awakening and transcending human consciousness—existing in spiritual consciousness. 

Within the 8 limbs are the widely recognized Yamas and Niyamas, which have become the centerpiece of yogic philosophy in most contemporary yoga studios. However, these teachings are often emphasized without acknowledging the larger, foundational bodies of knowledge from which they originate or the broader context provided by Patanjali's work.

The Yamas and Niyamas are a supplemental guide that is meant to support you while you are on your journey of spiritual growth, and as you learn how to interact with yourself, with other people, and the world around you. Think of it as a support system for how to be in the world as a human while you are pursuing your spiritual life.

The Yamas: Moral Guidelines for How We Interact with Others and the World in Day to Day Life

1. Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

Non-violence goes beyond physical harm and includes practicing compassion and kindness toward yourself, others, and all sentient beings, including animals, plants, and the planet. It applies not only to our actions but also to our words and thoughts.

2. Satya (Honesty)

Honesty means being truthful in your words, actions, and intentions. It involves authenticity in how you present yourself to the world and how you communicate with others.

3. Asteya (Non-Stealing)

Asteya encourages us not to take what doesn’t belong to us—this includes material possessions, ideas, or even someone else’s time and energy. It is about respecting boundaries and being content with what we have.

4. Aparigraha (Greedlessness)

Aparigraha means letting go of envy, greed, and attachment to material possessions. It teaches us not to hoard or take more than what we need and encourages generosity and sharing with others.

5. Brahmacharya (Celibacy or Right Use of Energy)

Brahmacharya is about practicing awareness and responsibility with our sexual energy and desires. It emphasizes self-control and mindful engagement in relationships, which can vary depending on the stage of life one is in.

The Niyamas: Moral Guidelines for How We Interact with and Treat Ourselves

The 5 Niyamas are disciplines and practices that we implement in our day-to-day lives to cultivate inner harmony and spiritual growth. 

1. Shaucha (Cleanliness)

This Niyama pertains to the cleanliness of the body, mind, speech, and the environment around us. It extends to the food we eat, the quality of our relationships, and the purity of our thoughts. By maintaining cleanliness in all areas of our lives, we invite clarity and peace into our being.

2. Santosha (Contentment)

Contentment is more than just being happy with what we have—it's a deep sense of gratitude. Practicing Santosha helps us appreciate and find peace with our current circumstances, without constantly striving for more. This Niyama encourages us to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, no matter where we are in life.

3. Tapas (Austerity/Discipline)

Tapas refers to the discipline required to do the difficult things that ultimately lead to our well-being and growth. It’s the inner fire that drives us to persevere through challenges, to do the hard work necessary for our spiritual and personal development. Tapas teaches us to embrace discomfort for the sake of long-term benefits.

4. Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

Self-study involves the reflection on our own mind, behavior, and emotions, as well as studying sacred texts (shastras) that guide us toward deeper self-awareness and knowledge of the divine. Svadhyaya is a practice of inquiry, of learning who we truly are through introspection and spiritual study.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender)

Surrender is the acceptance that we are not in control of every aspect of life and that a higher power governs the order of things. In its traditional sense, this Niyama involves trusting that your life is divinely guided and submitting to the will of the higher power, as expressed in the biblical phrase, "Not my will, but Thy will be done." Surrender is an act of faith and trust, letting go of the need for control and allowing life to unfold as it is meant to.

These Yamas and Niyamas act as a framework for living a harmonious life and cultivating a deeper connection with yourself, others, and Divinity. They are not rigid rules but guiding principles for personal and spiritual growth.

In Conclusion: Yoga as a Way of Life

Yogic philosophy teaches us the true nature of who we are, the essence of the material world around us, the workings of our mind and ego, and how to integrate all of these aspects. It also reveals the consequences of failing to do so. 

The sage Patanjali offered a simplified approach to these profound teachings through the Yoga Sutras—a guide that allows us to achieve this union, or yoga, without requiring us to renounce our daily lives, join an organized religion, or become ascetics in the Himalayan mountains. While initiation by a Guru isn’t necessary, having a teacher or knowledgeable guide is highly recommended. The 8 Limbs of Yoga, including the Yamas and Niyamas, serve as a support system to help us not only reach this goal but also to reduce suffering and cultivate greater peace of mind along the journey.

Yoga isn’t about perfecting the poses—it’s about perfecting the way we live our lives. It’s about becoming your most authentic self while deepening your connection to Divinity. If your yoga practice isn’t changing the way you live, then you’re simply practicing elaborate exercises.

True yoga empowers you to take charge of your own life, enabling growth, transformation, and a sense of unity with yourself, others, and the Divine. These are the real treasures of yoga—not your backbends, your chaturangas, or your jump-throughs. The true gem is you: the essence of your being, shining through as an instrument of Divinity.