Learn about the origins of yoga and the Yoga Sutras. Written by Patanjali, these ancient verses provide a blueprint for the practice of yoga and achieving enlightenment.

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Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a collection of verses written over a thousand years ago, playing an integral part in the origins of yoga. These teachings provide a manual for the traditional yogic path toward enlightenment. Written by Patanjali, the sutras contain four chapters that establish a foundational understanding of yoga.

Among the four chapters, the Yoga Sutras are made up of 196 verses that explore topics of suffering and self-realization, while overlapping deeper meanings pondered by philosophers and yogis for centuries. This ancient text provides the blueprint for the eightfold path—a process by which yogis can attain inner enlightenment. Here are a few other things you should know about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Who it’s for

Anyone who wants to study yogi or achieve self-realization

Who it’s not for

The Yoga Sutras are for everyone

How it will help you

Provides a guideline for living a meaningful life
Helps you move closer toward enlightenment
Improves your understanding of suffering
Offers meditative practices that can elevate your consciousness

How it will not help you

The Yoga Sutras are for everyone

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What are the Yoga Sutras?

The Yoga Sutras are a collection of 196 verses, written over a thousand years ago by Patanjali. These verses are grouped into four chapters, and they describe the process by which yogis can attain enlightenment. The Yoga Sutras contain information about the eightfold path, which is the foundation of traditional yoga.

What are the first 4 Patanjali Yoga Sutras?

The Yoga Sutras are arranged by chapter, beginning with the Samadhi Pada. The first sutra tells us, “Now is the discipline of yoga,” and the second verse defines yoga as a means to control the functioning of the mind. The third verse tells us that yoga can help establish one’s true state of being. In the fourth, we are told that imbalance can cause us to forget our true essence.

Who created yoga?

Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, is regarded as the father of yoga. His text provided a foundation by which all other yoga’s stem from. It is believed that Patanjali lived between 500 and 200 B.C., though not much else is known about this historical philosopher—other than he was an important sage in ancient India.

What is yoga in Buddhism?

Patanjali’s definition of yoga is consistent with buddhism in the goal of attaining self-realization and enlightenment. It is said that Buddhism adopted yoga early on, due to its shared focus of inner peace.

Who is known as the father of yoga?

Patanjali is regarded as the father of yoga, having written ancient verses describing the practice — called the Yoga Sutras. These 196 verses contain the eightfold path, which is the foundation of what we know as traditional yoga.