3 Questions to Help You Study Yoga Philosophy
You probably know that yoga is more than the poses; the physical practice. You probably know that it’s an elegant holistic system with rich philosophy that provides a roadmap for transformation. Or… maybe you don’t exactly know that… but that’s what you’ve heard. Unless you’ve spent time with the yogic texts it can be hard to make the leap from the poses you practice on Tuesday mornings at the gym to total transformation.
Slow Down, Ask Questions
In this busy culture many of us don’t slow down to question what we’re doing, where it comes from, or why we’re doing it. That applies to yoga too. We’ve heard yoga is helpful. We know we feel better after we practice. So we keep coming back. For many folks, that’s enough.
But if you want to understand why doing yoga feels so good, or if you want to explore its transformative power further, it’s time to get to know yoga philosophy. And of course, the other really important part about learning philosophy if you’re not of Indian descent is that it helps all of us to do less appropriating and more appreciating.
For those of us coming to yogic wisdom from the outside, it can be difficult. For example, when I first saw the name Patanjali, the author of one of the most well known yogic texts: The Yoga Sutras, I was daunted, to say the least. Then when I tried to read his work, I was completely lost. Thing is, that’s by design. The yogic sages wanted only serious students, those who really wanted to learn yoga.
Imagine if you were a student of yoga working directly with a teacher 1000 years ago…. part of your task would be to ask great questions so that you could learn. Though we may not be living close to a master teacher we do we too, can ask great questions. Here are three simple questions that can support you as you study yogic texts.
Question 1 - WHAT?
The first question is: What does the text actually say?
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is written in sutra form. Sutras are like short verses of condensed wisdom. The gift of reading a sutra text is you can explore a single sutra at a time.
The very first step is simply to try to figure out what it says. Unless you can read Sanskrit you’ll be reading it in translation. And every translation will be just a little bit different. Remember, the sages want serious students, so sometimes the sutra doesn’t seem to make sense the first time you read it.
Here’s an example from Patanjali:
Sutra 1.2 yogaś citta-vrtti-nirodahah
“Yoga is the cessation of movements in the consciousness” (Iyengar)
“The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga”. (Satchidananda)
“Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind.” (Bryant)
When you read those translations you might first say: WHAT does that even mean? As you look closer you may see commonalities: This is an explanation of YOGA. There’s something about moving/changing/modification. And there’s something else about the mind or consciousness. Finally they all say something about cessation/stilling/restrain. So we can surmise that Patanjali is teaching that Yoga has something to do with stilling/restraining/cessation of the movement of the mind.
The main point when you first meet a sutra is simply to read the words and figure out WHAT they say. Luckily most translators give definitions in the translation.
Question 2 - SO WHAT?
The second question is: So, what does that mean? Why is it important?
In this question we dive a little deeper. If you’re reading a text that’s been translated, after the sutra you’ll find a commentary on the sutra. This is where the translator makes the case for what the sutra means and why the author of the text may have written it in such a way. The commentary starts to answer the SO WHAT question for you.
But sometimes the commentary is pretty dense or confusing. Simply asking SO WHAT? on your own can be a way to make a general inquiry into the sutra.
Using the example above with sutra 1.2, one could ask: So what are changing states of mind? So what does it mean to still those? Why would it be important to restrain mind-stuff?
In question 2 you can also put yourself in the mind of a person living 2000-ish years ago when this text was created. Did people in those times feel troubled by a busy mind? If yoga is a still mind, why would that be important to early monks or sages?
Question 3 - HOW?
The third question is: HOW do I experience this? HOW does this make sense in my life or practice?
The final question brings you out of trying to understand with your intellect and invites you to make connection with the text. Yogic wisdom has lasted for literally 1000s of years because it still has relevance in a rapidly changing world.
To really be in relationship with the yogic teachings, it’s important to understand how they show up in your life. Again, with sutra 1.2 one could ask questions like: How have I experienced a busy/moving/changing mind? What is the effect that that mind-stuff has on the rest of my life? How has my yoga practice helped to still or slow my thoughts? How does a quieter mind relate to my experience of physical yoga? How might I invite less chaos in my mind the next time I come to my mat? How is stillness of mind relevant to my life off my mat?
In each of these questions, one takes the single sutra teaching and reflects on its relevance to life and practice. By contemplating even just one of the HOW questions you bring the philosophical teachings into your actual practice. Then your practice becomes infused with richness and wisdom.
Not Looking for Answers
None of these questions have absolute answers. Even the translations vary from each other. The commentators disagree. So when using questions to support your inquiry remember that it’s less about coming to a fixed complete answer that you can tie up with a bow. Instead it’s about being in an evolving relationship with the living teachings of yoga.
Over time, your understandings will change too. That means you can study the texts over and over again, growing each time. Your intention and your study greatly impact the depth of your practice and therefore, your transformation. This is how we remember that yoga is not an exercise class (even if it feels like it sometimes). And this is one way to honor the great teachers and students of yoga who’ve come before us through millennia.
Follow Inner Guidance
The best way to learn yoga is with a true master teacher; one who lives the philosophy inside and out. But, if such a master isn’t nearby, don’t let that stop you. Know that within you there is an inner teacher who will guide your exploration.
If you’re feeling called to learn more after reading this article, trust that your inner guidance is nudging you. Follow the nudges. Use these simple questions to get your inquiry started. And dive in. This great tradition has so much to offer you. And you offer back by honoring it, honoring its roots and by bringing it to life in your life.
A note to Yoga Teachers:
These three questions offer a great starting point for bringing yoga philosophy to your students. Spending time in inquiry will give you a way to share the teachings in an integrated way. What I see in my teaching is that folks are hungry for wisdom, especially wisdom that has relevance. Sharing how it seems relevant to you without having to be an expert on it is a beautiful way to invite students into their own relationship with yoga philosophy.
You’ll probably never be a total expert on yoga philosophy… it’s such vast ocean of knowledge. That’s ok. Keep learning with those who know more than you. More importantly, keep allowing the teachings to reveal themselves in your life and practice. Yoga wants to live through you. The students want to learn from your experiences. Let study be your sadhana and don’t hesitate to share from your Heart.
I learned these questions from Christina Sell - a lovely yoga asana teacher based in Washington. Please learn with her.
Want more reasons to learn yoga philosophy?
Read this earlier post : Top 7 Reasons you should study Yoga Philosophy
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Translations quoted above
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by BKS Iyengar
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Sri Swamim Satchidananada
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary - by Edwin F. Bryant