Skip to content
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Online Retreats
    • Topics
    • Recent Additions
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Paths
    • Find Your Way
    • All Yogas
    • Bhakti Yoga
    • Karma Yoga
    • Jnana Yoga
    • Raja Yoga
    • Mantra Yoga
  • Videos
    • First Steps
    • Stories
    • Yoga Perspectives
    • Essential Life Skills
    • Spiritual Development
    • Devotional Yoga
    • Yoga in Daily Life
  • Talks
    • Classes in Higher Yogas
    • Yoga Basics
    • Bhakti Yoga Talks
    • Sri Ramakrishna Talks
    • Go Farther with Meditation
    • Theme of the Month
    • Devotional Chants
  • Writings
    • Yoga as a Spiritual Path
    • Discover the Miracle of Prayer
    • Keys to Higher Consciousness
    • Growing on the Path
    • Relating to Spirit
    • Spiritual Living
    • Interviews
  • Explore
    • Lifelines
    • Online Retreats
    • Topics
    • Recent Additions
  • Courses
    • Introducing Courses
    • Online Seminars
    • Online Retreats
    • Initial Mysteries
  • About
    • Ramakrishna Ananda
    • Why Are We Doing This Now?
    • Our Ideals
    • Our Team
    • Donate
    • Get Updates
    • Contact Us
    • Terms and Privacy
  • Share
RAMAKRISHNA ANANDA

Introduction to the Yoga Sutras

Can yoga help in solving problems?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the greatest books ever written on yoga. Through the use of sutras (thread ideas), Patanjali explains the essential principles of yoga which can enrich your life in countless ways.

All Yogas

Beyond the Thoughts and Emotions

Patanjali wrote that yoga is chitta vritti nirodha, control or direction of the waves of consciousness (our habitual thoughts and feelings.) As we transcend them, we dwell in our true nature, the soul.

Going beyond thoughts and emotions, we find the atman (the inner self, the soul, the true self). Allow yourself to become free of the thoughts and feelings which normally bombard your awareness. The goal of yoga is to become free to abide in the true self.

  • Patanjali was a great yoga master and teacher who lived approximately 2200 years ago
  • He wrote that yoga is the control or direction of the waves of consciousness
  • When we control the waves of thoughts and feelings, we dwell in our true nature
  • One begins by witnessing their thoughts and feelings
  • The next step is to release these thoughts/feelings in order to clear the consciousness
  • Focusing on a dominant flow of awareness — such as harmony — can lead to deep peace

Watch Next

16:50
How does one become a yogi?
27:19
Which qualities naturally express from your soul?
25:20
Can yoga help in transforming character?
What is the secret power of yoga?
1. A stronger body
1. A stronger body
Try Again
2. Tamas guna
2. Tamas guna
Try Again
3. Sattvas guna
3. Sattvas guna
Correct
Hear more about how to live in sattvas guna and let the light of your soul transform you.
4. Rajas guna
4. Rajas guna
Try Again

New This Week

Uncover the secret to finding your nature — 11 videos
Ready to awaken to the Essence within you? — 14 videos
Show More
Home > Paths > All Yogas > Introduction to the Yoga Sutras
Next
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search
  • Home
  • Paths
  • Videos
  • Talks
  • Writings
  • Courses
  • Explore
  • About
  • Search

© Copyright 2025 Yoga World Fellowship

  • Terms and Privacy
  • Sitemap

How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

Share with a Friend

NOTE:  We will not share your information with third parties.