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43 Yoga Quotes to Inspire Your Practice

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As both a yoga instructor and a writer, I love to share yoga quotes with my students. I find that inspirational yoga quotes can sometimes be just what you need to find a deeper connection to your practice, or provide a link between what’s happening on your mat to what’s going on in your life.

Quotes about yoga can serve as an introduction to using mantras in your practice, or help you stay inspired and motivated, whether you’re new to yoga or you’ve been doing  downward dogs  for decades. Yoga is a mind-body practice — no matter which  type of yoga  you do — and it’s helpful to give your mind something to focus on as you move on your mat.

The kinds of quotes I share with my students vary from class to class. Sometimes I share funny yoga quotes to lighten the mood during a challenging flow, and sometimes I share more profound quotes on balance and how to make the most out of the practice. I frequently read from the classic Yoga Sutras , and other times I select a more modern source. When my students are in  restorative yoga poses  that are held for 5 minutes or longer, I like to read passages from whatever inspirational book I’m reading at the time ( Brené Brown  and  Jen Sincero  are always well-received).

Here are 43 of our favorite yoga quotes to motivate and inspire you, whatever your mood may be. Pick some favorites and think of them the next time you go to a yoga class, whether that’s at a studio or at home .

1. “Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” —B.K.S. Iyengar

2. “Move your joints every day. You have to find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself.” —Sri Dharma Mittra

3. “yoga is the ultimate practice. it simultaneously stimulates our inner light and quiets our overactive minds. it is both energy and rest. yin and yang. we feel the burn and find our bliss.” —bodi supertrainer elise joan.

4. “The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” —Jason Crandell

5. “True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” — Aadil Palkhivala , Fire of Love

6. “I had discovered something; there was a pleasure in becoming something new. You could will yourself into a fresh shape. Now all I had to do was figure out how to do it out there, in my life.” —Claire Dederer,  Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses

7. “yoga is not a work-out; it is a work-in. and this is the point of spiritual practice, to make us teachable, to open up our hearts, and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” — rolf gates.

8. “Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” —Kino MacGregor

9. “I think it’s interesting that the opposite of being active in yoga is not being passive. It’s being receptive.” —Cyndi Lee

10. “Learning to be present with yourself and to abide in that which is steady and comfortable does not allow space for self-judgment. When you live this way, you are practicing yoga: you are living fully.” —Judith Hanson Lasater,  Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life

11. “yoga begins with listening. when we listen, we are giving space to what is.” — richard freeman.

12. “If we practice yoga long enough, the practice changes to suit our needs. It’s important to acknowledge that the practice isn’t meant to be one practice for everybody. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there are so many different approaches. As we go through our life cycles, hopefully we are able to find a practice that suits us. And if you practice yoga long enough, that will change many times. What exactly that looks like is going to be different for each person.” —Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of  Yoga Medicine

13. “the body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.” — sakyong mipham.

14. “My biggest struggles have been my biggest teachers.” — Kathryn Budig

15. “yoga does not transform the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.” —b.k.s. iyengar.

16. “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” — Jason Crandell

17. “the very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ — steady effort in the direction you want to go.” — sally kempton.

18. “In asana practice we learn to cherish each breath, to cherish every cell in our bodies. The time we spend on the mat is love in action.” —Rolf Gates

19. “the yoga pose you avoid the most you need the most.” —anonymous.

20. “ …just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different.” — Judith Hanson Lasater

21. “i bend so i don’t break.” —anonymous.

22. “The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.” —T.K.V. Desikachar

23. “that’s exactly how it is in yoga. the places where you have the most resistance are actually the places that are going to be the areas of the greatest liberation.” — rodney yee.

24. “Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go — what does matter is who you are when you get there.” —Max Strom

25. “Sometimes in yoga I feel like a graceful swan. Other times I feel like a baby giraffe trying to use its legs.” —Anonymous

26. “When we have the confidence to be truly, unabashedly, and radically ourselves, we breathe life into who we were meant to be. We burn with a desire to ecstatically share our unique and priceless gifts with the world.” —Elise Joan

27. “Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” —Anonymous

28. “Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state. Can we dance with change? Can we fall and try again with playfulness? Do we have the focus, skill, and attunement to find the still point within it all?” —Shiva Rea

29. “yoga. because punching people is frowned upon.” —anonymous.

30. “When we push for immediate results and instant healing, we never inhabit the important in-between phase, which is where much of the learning and growth actually happen.” — Bo Forbes ,  Yoga for Emotional Balance

31. “yoga is a dance between control and surrender — between pushing and letting go — and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being.” —joel kramer.

32. “The yoga pose is not the goal. Becoming flexible is not the goal. Standing on your hands is not the goal. The goal is serenity. Balance. Truly finding peace in your own skin.” —Rachel Brathen,  Yoga Girl

33. “yoga is not about self-improvement. it’s about self-acceptance.” —gurmukh kaur khalsa.

34. “Here and now is where yoga begins.” — The Yoga Sutras

35. “yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” —t. k. v. desikachar.

36. “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” — The Bhagavad Gita

37. “yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.” —sri k. pattabhi jois.

38. “The soul is here for its own joy.” —Rumi

39. “Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind, and soul.” —Amit Ray, Yoga and Vipassana: An Integrated Lifestyle

40. “the attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” —yogi bhajan.

41. “Yoga adds years to your life and life to your years.” —Alan Finger

42. “Yoga is essentially a practice for your soul, working through the medium of your body.” —Tara Fraser

43. “yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists.” —patanjali.

What's your Ayurvedic body type? ⟶

Yoga is so much more than a physical practice.

Yoga awakens the body, stabilizes and strengthens, softens and opens. Yoga creates a connection with ourselves.

Yoga may start out as a physical practice, but if we’re dedicated to the practice, it can become a way of life. The benefits of yoga creates a shift in perspective that can be extremely powerful- it reminds us that we are the captains of our own ships and we possess all the tools we need to build the best version of ourselves.

The basic principle of yoga is that the key to happiness resides within each of us. The practice of yoga is simply the means by which we discover and draw upon the innate wisdom. Yoga opens the door to our full potential as individuals through a system of conscious exercises that not only trains not only the body, but also the breath and ultimately the mind.

Find inspiration and wisdom in the connection of body and mind to enhance your yoga practice or the inspiration to begin:

• Yoga does not transform the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees. -B.K.S. Iyengar
• The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go. -Sally Kempton
• Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being. -Joel Kramer
• Yoga is not about what you do. It is about how you do it. -Adriene Mishler

• In our uniquely human capacity of connect movement with breath and spiritual meaning, yoga is born. -Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

• The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life. -B.K.S. Iyengar
• As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings. -Dalai Lama

• Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be. -Linda Sparrowe
• Concentrating on poses clears the mind, while focusing on the breath helps the body shift out of fight or flight mode. -Melanie Haiken
• Yoga should be practiced with firm determination and perseverance, without any mental reservation or doubts. -Bhagavad Gita
• Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind. -Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras

• Yoga practice can make us more and more sensitive to subtler and subtler sensations in the body. Paying attention to and staying with finer and finer sensations within the body is one of the surest ways to steady the wandering mind. -Debasish Mridha
• Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted — in body, mind, and heart — and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow — or we begin to flow more in our lives. -Cybele Tomlinson
• Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness. -Indra Devi

• Yoga takes us to the present moment, the only place where life exists. -Ellen Brenneman
• Yoga science is not just a scholarly pursuit. It is a moment by moment and thought by thoughts practical guide for living. -Leonard Perlmutter
• Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame. -B.K.S. Iyengar

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• The study of asana is not about mastering posture.  It’s about using posture to understand and transform yourself. -B.K.S Iyengar
• Yoga is not about self improvement, it’s about self acceptance. -Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
• Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel. -Kevin Trudeau
• Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured. -B.K.S. Iyengar

• Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind and soul. -Amit Ray
• Yoga is not about touching your toes. It is what you learn on the way down. -Jigar Gor
• Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. -Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
• Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is. -Richard Freeman

• Yoga reveals to you the beauty of mindfulness and takes you into the essence of an endless present moment. -Debasish Mridha
• Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing. -Anonymous
• If you choose to see everything as a miracle, then where you are right now is perfect. There is nowhere to run to; there is nothing else to do except be in this moment and allow what is to be. From that place of radical acceptance, major change can happen. The first step in any transformational experience is acceptance and surrender to the present moment, the way that it is. From that place we have the awareness, humility and power to change what is. -Mastin Kipp

• Yoga began with the first person wanting to be healthy and happy all the time. -Sri Swami Satchidananda
• The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness . -Sakyong Mipham
• It doesn’t matter what it looks like; it matters what it feels like . -Bryan Kest
• The path of yoga is the path of self-discovery. As our self-image disintegrates, we contact our true self. Life becomes a great joy.  -Amrit Desai
• Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away. -Barbara De Angelis
• Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life . -B.K.S. Iyengar
• When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds. Your mind transcends limitations; your consciousness expands in every direction; and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be. -Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras
• Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself. -Rumi
• Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind. -Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras
• It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence. -B.K.S. Iyengar
• Yoga gives us a space and time to journey to the simplicity of breath and movement and connecting with ourselves. -Jill Conyers
• You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.  -Unknown
• Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. -Rumi

• When you practice yoga once a week, you change your mind. When you practice yoga twice a week you change your body. When you practice yoga everyday it will change your life. -Unknown
• Yoga is when every cell in the body sings the song of the soul . -B.K.S. Iyengar
• I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul. -Rumi
• The true purpose of yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost. -Deepak Chopra
• It’s not life that matters, it’s the courage you bring to it. -Yogi Bhajan
• The quality of our breath expresses our inner feelings. -T.K.V. Desikachar
• When the breath control is correct, mind control is possible . -Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
• Surrender is the highest power to gain all that you want to gain. -Yogi Bhajan
• You have to be you and that can only happen if you love yourself. -Yogi Bhajan

• Mindfulness helps us to go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes. -Thich Nhat Hanh
• Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony. -Debasish Mridha

Quotes are a powerful tool used to help invoke inspiration , hope, and happiness. Yoga quotes remind us that we’re all connected and intrinsically share the same emotions. They echo what we know in our hearts and souls to be true.  Eckhart Tolle  often talks about how he can’t teach you anything you don’t already know — that when something rings true with you it is because it is already within you.

Shared experiences and insights that make you internally nod in understanding, open your eyes to a new perspective or change the way you act, think or speak.

For more yoga inspiration:

• Yoga Playlists
• How To Create a Yoga Journal and Why You Should
• Benefits of Yoga for the Body, Mind & Spirit

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12 Comments

Yoga, heals the body and mind and releases good energy

Beautiful quotes and beautiful illustrations too! Thanks for the wisdom 🙂

These quotes are such wonderful reminders of what is so beautiful and powerful about yoga. Thank you so much for this.

What a gorgeous list of quotes! Such an inspiring read- love it! So glad you put this together.

I have fallen in love with Yoga because it helps balance my mind and my body. I deal with a lot of neck and back pain (and ooohhh the headaches!) I can’t believe how much Yoga can help even when I am hurting so badly! I will definitely be referencing this list! Thanks for Sharing!

These are all such beautiful quotes! I have pinned this to refer to for inspiration!

I love all of these as I love my yoga practice. So many good ones like this: “Yoga is not about touching your toes. It is what you learn on the way down.” Thanks for the inspiration

Love these quotes. Thanks for sharing love

I love quotes so much and these are so great for just life in general. I love the one about inner peace is achieved by not allowing another person or event control your emotions. It’s spot on. The graphics are beautiful, too!

A very interesting compilation of quotes!

I love these! I’m ready to pull out my mat and do some yoga right now!

I have already pinned a bunch of these. Love them and thanks for sharing-Namaste

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104 Yoga Quotes for Inspiration & Motivation (with images)

Regardless of how beneficial and effective you know yoga is in helping you achieve your goals, sometimes it’s just so hard to get yourself on that mat. These 100 yoga quotes will inspire and motivate you to develop your practice and encourage you to stay focused on why you started yoga in the first place!

When you find a yoga quote that you connect with, meditate on that quote during your next yoga session. Write out your thoughts in a journal and really begin to explore what the quote means to you when you find one (or many) that you connect with (I really connect with yoga quote #50!)

1. “Yoga does not transform the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.” – B.K.S. Iyengar 

2. “I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the highest source. I salute that source in you. Let us work together for unity and love”   -Gandhi

3. “Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being.”   -Joel Kramer

4. “Yoga is not about what you do. It is about how you do it.” – Adriene Mishler

5.  “I was looking for someone to inspire me, motivate me, support me, keep me focused… Someone who would love me, cherish me, make me happy, and I realized all along that I was looking for myself.” -Unknown

6. “In karma yoga no effort is ever lost, and there is no harm. Even a little practice of this discipline protects one from great fear of birth and death.” -Bhagavad Gita

7. “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan

8. “Without proper breathing, the yoga postures are nothing more than calisthenics.” – Rachel Schaeffer

9. “In our uniquely human capacity of connect movement with breath and spiritual meaning, yoga is born.” – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

10. “The quality of our breath expresses our inner feeling.” – T.K.V. Desikachar

11.  “Do not feel lonely. The entire universe is inside of you.” -Rumi

12. “Although yoga has its origins in ancient India, its methods and purposes are universal, relying not on cultural background, faith or deity, but simply on the individual. Yoga has become important in the lives of many contemporary Westerners, sometimes as a way of improving health and fitness of the body, but also as a means of personal and spiritual development.” -Tara Fraser

13. “I am standing on my own altar; The poses are my prayers” -B.K.S. Iyengar

14. “True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” -Craig Hamilton

15. “ The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.”   – Jason Crandell

16. “For me, yoga is not just a workout – it’s about working on yourself.” -Mary Glover

17. “Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures: it is our home.” – Rolf Gates

18. “Yoga has sly, clever ways of short circuiting the mental patterns that cause anxiety.” -Baxter Bell

19. “The chakras are very intelligent. They are like the software of the whole computer body.” -Dharma Mittra

20. “The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” -B.K.S. Iyengar

21. “Yoga is essentially a practice for your soul, working through the medium of your body.” -Tara Fraser

22. “Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight” -Ajahn Brahm

23. “Practicing yoga during the day is a matter of keeping your eyes on the road and one ear turned toward the infinite.” – Erich Schiffmann

24. “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.” -Old Zen Saying

25. “Chair pose is a defiance of spirit, showing how high you can reach even when you’re forced down.” -Terri Guillemets

26. “Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” – Bob Harper

27. “The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” -B.K.S. Iyengar

28. “Everyone can do Ashtanga. Except lazy people.” – Sharath Jois

29. “As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.” -Dalai Lama

30. “You either get bitter or get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.”   –Josh Shipp

31. “Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.”   –Linda Sparrowe

32. “First month paining, second month tired, third month flying.” -Sharath Jois

33. “When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

34. “Calming the mind is yoga. Not just standing on the head.” -Swami Satchidananda

35 “Yoga is 99% practice and 1 % theory.” -Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

36. “Concentrating on poses clears the mind, while focusing on the breath helps the body shift out of fight or flight mode.” -Melanie Haiken

37. “A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.” -T. Guillemets

38. “Yoga is not about tightening your ass. It’s about getting your head out of it.” -Eric Paskel

39. “Yoga is almost like music in a way; there’s no end to it.” -Sting

40. “Yoga should be practiced with firm determination and perseverance, without any mental reservation or doubts.” – Bhagavad Gita

41. “Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forwards to become the person they’re meant to be.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

42. “Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.” -Patanjali

43. “To perform every action artfully is yoga.” -Swami Kripalu

44. “Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind. Then there is abiding in the Seer’s own form.” -Patanjali

45. “Be kinder to yourself, and then let your kindness flood the world.” -Pema Chodron

46. “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” -Jason Crandell

47. “The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind.” – Rodney Yee

48. “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” -The Bhagvad Gita

49. “Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” -Desikashar

50. “Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self control. Energy within and energy without.” -Ymber Delecto

51. “The practice of Yoga brings us face to face with the extraordinary complexity of our own being.” -Sri Aurobindo

52. “Yoga is just gymnastics for uncoordinated people.” -Claire Dederer

53. “There is always room for change, but you have to be open to that change.” -Kathryn Budig

54. “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” -Jason Crandell

55. “You are the sky, everything else is just the weather.”  –  Pema Chodron

56. “When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.” -Petri Raisanen

57. “Yoga means addition – addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul.” – Amit Ray

58. “Yoga takes us to the present moment, the only place where life exists.” -Ellen Brenneman

59. “Your soul is your best friend. Treat it with care, nurture it with growth, feed it with love.”   – Ashourina Yalda

60. “Yoga science is not just a scholarly pursuit. It is a moment by moment and thought by thoughts practical guide for living.” -Leonard Perlmutter

61. “Anybody can breathe. Therefore anybody can practice yoga.” -T.K.V. Desikachar

62. “Yoga teaches more than postures; it teaches you how to trust.” -Kathryn E.

63. “Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.” -B.K.S. Iyengar

64. “Breathing is the greatest pleasure in life.” -Giovanni Papini

65. “The yoga pose you avoid the most you need the most.” – Anonymous

66. “For those wounded by civilization, yoga is the most healing salve.” -T. Guillemets

67. “All kidding aside, if everyone did yoga, we would have world peace.” -Rory Freedman

68. “The meaning of our self is not to be found in its separateness from God and others, but in the ceaseless realization of yoga of union.” -Rabindranath Tagore

69. “Yoga is not about self improvement, it’s about self acceptance.” -Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

70. “What I’m looking for is not out there, it is in me.” -Helen Keller

71. “The best thing you could do is master the chaos in you. You are not thrown into the fire, you are the fire.”  – Mama Indigo

72. “Beyond meditation there is the experience of now.” -Ryan Parenti

73. “Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” -Kevin Trudeau

74. “Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success.” -Hatha Yoga Pradipika

75. “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” -B.K.S. Iyengar

76. “Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind and soul.” -Amit Ray

77. “Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit.” -Jeremy Taylor

78. “Yoga accepts. Yoga gives.” -April Vallei

79. “Yoga is not about touching your toes. It is what you learn on the way down.” -Jigar Gor

80. “Wellness is a connection of paths: knowledge and action.” -Joshua Welch

81. “Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” – Buddha

82. “The asanas are useful maps to explore yourself, but they are not the territory.” -Donna Farhi

83. “That’s why it’s called a practice. We have to practice a practice if it is to be of value.” -Peace Pilgrim

84. “Hatha yoga is spirituality of the body; it is the most perfect union of corporeal and incorporeal.” -Terri Guillemets

85. “Yoga is not just repetition of few postures – it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.” -Amit Ray

86. “The beauty is that people often come here for the stretch, and leave with a lot more.” -Liza Ciano

87. “Yoga teaches us that we can have whatever we may want in life if we are willing to provide it for others first.” – Sharon Gannon

88. “Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible.” -Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

89. “Corpse pose restores life. Dead parts of your being fall away, the ghosts are released.” -Terri Guillemets

90. “Live in the present, forget the past. Give up hopes of future.” -Swami Sivananda

91. “The pose begins when you want to get out of it.” -Baron Baptiste

92. “Meditation is a way for nourishing and blossoming the divinity within you.” -Amit Ray

93. “Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is.” – Richard Freeman

94.“You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state.” -Sharon Gannon

95. “Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” – Kino Macgregor

96. “Your life is a precious gift from an imaginative loving source that endlessly breathes life.” -Dashama

97. “Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” -Anonymous

98. “For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth.” -Sanskrit Proverb

99. “Here and now is where yoga begins.” -The Yoga Sutras

100.“You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.” -Mr. Yoga

101. “Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go- what does matter is who you are when you get there.” -Max Strom

102. “If you choose to see everything as a miracle, then where you are right now is perfect. There is nowhere to run to; there is nothing else to do except be in this moment and allow what is to be. From that place of radical acceptance, major change can happen. The first step in any transformational experience is acceptance and surrender to the present moment, the way that it is. From that place we have the awareness, humility and power to change what is.”  – Mastin Kipp

103. “A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.” -Zen Shin

104.“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” -Buddha

I hope these yoga quotes have inspired you to keep pushing and growing. Remember, the hardest part about yoga is getting on your mat. I know you can do it!

Ally is a Registered Nurse, Registered Yoga Teacher, and Co-Founder of Yoga Rove with her husband Victor. She first started yoga over 7 years ago when she started her nursing career to combat the physical and mental strain, and now loves to teach and help others.

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8 thoughts on “104 yoga quotes for inspiration & motivation (with images)”.

This is terrific! Thanks again for this and all the handouts. ??

Our pleasure! 🙂

I love what you do it is amazing. You are the person that helped me find my passion for Yoga with your free downloads.

I want to promote your stuff through our business do you have an affiliate program?

The 104 quote are awesome.

Thank you for your awesome work!

Thank you Jodie that is so kind and wonderful to hear! We don’t have an affiliate program at the moment but will be opening up an online shop soon with different yoga guides in which we could possibly have an affiliate program for in the future!

I’m so glad our content could help inspire your journey! Feel free to email us anytime with questions 🙂

Dear Ally, I have been going through Yoga teacher training. Since the stay at home order, I seem to have lost my thread, my intention. These quotes brought me back, reconnected me to myself and my yoga. Thank you so much for posting them. I love number 5. Mary

Can totally connect with that Mary! I’m so glad these helped you. And number 5 is one of my favorites too <3

I can’t thank you enough for all of this amazing information you share. You and Victor have a Beautiful energy together.

Much Love and Blessings Joanne

Thank you so much Joanne! So glad you’re finding it helpful!

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45 of the Best Yoga Quotes to Motivate, Uplift and Inspire You

From teachings to ancient texts, yoga is bursting with thought-provoking sentiments. If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation, or just want a moment of reflection, we’ve compiled 45 of the best yoga quotes.

Inspirational Yoga Quotes

Yoga quotes about happiness, yoga quotes about change, yoga quotes about gratitude, yoga quotes about breath, yoga quotes about strength, yoga quotes about letting go, yoga quotes about life.

1. "Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees." B. K. S. Iyengar

B. K. S. Iyengar founded Iyengar Yoga and is recognized as one of the most prominent yoga teachers in the world.

2. "Yoga is when every cell in the body sings the song of the soul." B. K. S. Iyengar

3. "Yoga is not to be performed; it is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; it cares about the person you are becoming." Aadil Palkhivala

Aadil Palkhivala learned the power of yoga as a child , after being taught by B. K. S. Iyengar from the age of 7.

4. "Move your joints every day. You have to find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself." Dharma Mittra

Do you have the Master Yoga Chart displayed on your wall? Dharma Mittra is the man who appears in all 908 postures!

5. "Yoga is not about touching your toes. It is what you learn on the way down." Jigar Gor

Looking to improve your own flexibility? There are a few asanas that can help you get started !

6. "A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves." T. Guillemets

7. "Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." The Bhagavad Gita

Yoga has grown massively in popularity in the past decade , yet it is an ancient practice. The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture from 200 CE that tells the story of Krishna and Arjuna, and the inner struggle for happiness through yoga.

8. "Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible." Bob Harper

Bob Harper, best known for his tv role on The Biggest Loser, advocates for the benefits of yoga for weight loss .

1. "The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body" Jason Crandell

This is one of our favorite yoga quotes about life!

Jason Crandell runs a yoga teacher training school , with a focus on helping to prevent and manage yoga injuries.

2. "Yoga is really trying to liberate us from… shame about our bodies. To love your body is a very important thing — I think the health of your mind depends on your being able to love your body." Rodney Yee

If you’re looking for yogis to follow on Instagram , then take a look at Rodney Yee. He shares his experiences of teaching yoga across the world to motivate and inspire you!

3. "Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists." Unknown

4. "Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame." B. K. S. Iyengar

Yoga really does have mood boosting abilities , with research showing it can even improve your self-esteem and inspire creativity!

5. "Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony." Debasish Mridha

1. "A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." Zen Shin

One of the benefits of yoga, highlighted for men in particular , is that it’s not competitive. Rather than focusing on external competition, instead you turn inwards and focus on your own personal growth.

2. "That’s why it’s called a practice. We have to practice a practice if it is to be of value." Allan Lokos

3. "Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go — what does matter is who you are when you get there." Max Strom

Remember it’s not a competition! Yoga can even be advantageous for those who struggle with flexibility, such as people living with back pain .

4. "Yoga will always be transformational, even when it stops being cool." Victoria Moran

Every new piece of research points to the fact that yoga is becoming more and more popular, despite its origins being traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago!

5. "The longest journey of any person is the journey inward." Dag Hammarskjold

1. "Yoga begins right where I am — not where I was yesterday or where I long to be." Linda Sparrowe

Practicing gratitude has deep roots in yoga practice, encouraging compassionate and mindful behaviors.

2. "Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life." Rumi

3. "Gratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude." Deepak Chopra

4. "When you stop and really look, you see that you are supported continuously in literally countless ways. This is the highest lesson of yoga, the truth of interbeing, of no separation." Frank Jude Boccio

As one of the originators of Mindfulness Yoga , Frank Jude Boccio understands the various ways living mindfully can benefit your health and wellbeing .

5. "Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings." Marianne Williamson

1. "Breath is your link to life; the direct connection to your spirit." Konah Gordon

If you’re a beginner looking to try yoga , take on Dashama Konah Gordon’s 30 day yoga challenge !

2. "Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths." Etty Hillesum

3. "When the breath wanders, the mind is also unsteady. But when the breath is calmed, the mind too will be still." Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Yoga can be powerful for calming a busy mind. For those struggling with anxiety in particular, there are a number of asanas you can practice .

4. "If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath." Dr. Amit Ray

Dr. Amit Ray is well known for his teachings on mindfulness , helping to encourage peace, compassion and creativity around the world.

5. "Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor." Thich Nhat Hanh

6. "Meditation is a mysterious method of self-restoration…A meditation can be as simple as taking a series of easy breaths, and slowly, gently counting to ten in your mind." Vera Nazarian

Meditation forms part of most yoga practice, offering its own range of amazing health benefits for both body and mind. It can even improve your romantic relationships!

1. "I bend so I don’t break." Anonymous

Building muscle doesn’t just come from lifting weights , yoga can be a highly effective way to develop strength throughout your whole body .

2. "Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured." B. K. S. Iyengar

3. "Yoga is not about self-improvement, it’s about self-acceptance." Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

For women expecting a baby, yoga can help both before, during and after giving birth . Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa leads online prenatal yoga classes to prepare both your body and mind for labor.

4. "Yoga means addition — addition of energy, strength, and beauty to body, mind, and soul." Dr. Amit Ray

5. "You have to stretch your soul to find your potential strength." Lailah Gifty Akita

1. "Letting go is the hardest asana." Anonymous

2. "For those wounded by civilization, yoga is the most healing salve." T. Guillemets

3. "I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul." Rumi

Releasing worries or fears can be hard, but relaxing your entire body through yoga can be a powerful way to also relax your mind. Practice before bed and you can nod off faster and wake up fresher!

4. "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need." Tao Te Ching

5. "When we let go of our battles and open our hearts to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present moment. This is the beginning and the end of spiritual practice." Jack Kornfield

1. "Yoga adds years to your life and life to your years." Alan Finger

Alan Finger has authored several popular yoga books and runs a range of courses online for yogis at all levels.

2. "True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is, including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life." Craig Hamilton

3. "Your soul is your best friend. Treat it with care, nurture it with growth, feed it with love." Ashourina Yalda

4. "Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy." B. K. S. Iyengar

5. "Yoga is a way of getting totally drunk — not on alcohol but on life." Sadhguru

6. "When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga." Petri Räisänen

Inspired to learn even more about the practice? Read our fascinating statistics about the growth of the industry around the world .

Looking for something a little lighter? Why not explore our list of gift ideas for yoga lovers !

Laura Smith

Associate Editorial Manager

Specialist health & wellbeing writer, passionate about discovering new technologies & sharing the latest research.

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50 Yoga Quotes For Inspiration and Motivation

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Having been a teacher’s assistant at over 50 yoga teacher…

Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration to get up and ready for the day, to encourage your yoga practice, or reconnect you to your core values. We all do. Even our teachers who have made it a big part of their lives to share their experiences and teachings with those that are willing to listen. The fact that they have spent time to learn how to best share what they have learned within their own practices is what can be so inspiring about their words.

Inspirational quotes are helpful for motivation when it is a bit harder to find for ourselves. Hearing the quotes and words of others can help to pull us out of our own chattering mind for a moment and have a fresh set of words and perspective.

Here is a collaboration of words, quotes, and teachings from some of the great yoga teachers, young and old. Each teacher has their own unique experience, and something to offer to the world. As a thank you to our teachers, we can listen and absorb to find what inspires us.

1. If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. — Ronald Dahl

2.  Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame. — B.K.S. Iyengar

3.  The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body. —  Jason Crandell

4.  True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied. —Aadil Palkhivala, Fire of Love

5.  Yoga is not a work-out; it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice, to make us teachable, to open up our hearts, and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are. — Rolf Gates

6.  Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention. — Kino MacGregor

7.  I think it’s interesting that the opposite of being active in yoga is not being passive. It’s being receptive. — Cyndi Lee

8.  If we practice yoga long enough, the practice changes to suit our needs. It’s important to acknowledge that the practice isn’t meant to be one practice for everybody. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there are so many different approaches. As we go through our life cycles, hopefully we are able to find a practice that suits us. And if you practice yoga long enough, that will change many times. What exactly that looks like is going to be different for each person. — Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine

9.  My biggest struggles have been my biggest teachers. — Kathryn Budig

10.  Yoga does not transform the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees. — B.K.S. Iyengar

11.  Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony. — Debasish Mridha

12.  Exercises are like prose, whereas yoga is the poetry of movements. Once you understand the grammar of yoga; you can write your poetry of movements. — Amit Ray

13.  Yoga is the cessation of the movements of the mind. Then there is abiding in the Seer’s own form. — Patañjali

14.  Yoga does not always cure stress. It neutralizes it through increasing awareness and by changing self-perception. — Debasish Mridha

15.  Yoga is the unifying art of transforming dharma into action, be it through inspired thought, properly nurturing our children, a painting, a kindness or an act of peace that forever moves humanity forward. — Micheline Berry

16.  Yoga means addition – addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul. — Amit Ray

17. When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others. — Peace Pilgrim

18. You either get bitter or get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you. — Josh Shipp

19. Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be. — Linda Sparrowe

20. Change is not only inevitable, but always happening. When you truly embrace this concept of change being constant, the only thing left to do is grow, detach, venture inwards, touch the spirit and find your source — the one responsible for keeping you grounded through the ever-changing seasons of life. — Julie Weiland

21. Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move. Move the way joy makes you move. — Osho

22. I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul. — Rumi

23. It is not arrogant or egotistical to feel good inside. You had nothing to do with it. It’s simply the honest response to clearly perceived Reality. — Erich Schiffman

24. Yoga is a light which once lit will never dim, the better your practice the brighter your flame. — B.K.S. Iyengar

25. If you choose to see everything as a miracle, then where you are right now is perfect. There is nowhere to run to; there is nothing else to do except be in this moment and allow what is to be. From that place of radical acceptance, major change can happen. The first step in any transformational experience is acceptance and surrender to the present moment, the way that it is. From that place we have the awareness, humility and power to change what is. — Mastin Kipp

26. Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes. — Thich Nhat Hanh

27. Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions. — Pema Chodron

28. Your soul is your best friend. Treat it with care, nurture it with growth, feed it with love. — Ashourina Yalda

29. Follow your nature. The practice is really about uncovering your own pose; we have great respect for our teachers, but unless we can uncover our own pose in the moment, it’s not practice — it’s mimicry. Rest deeply in Savasana every day. Always enter that pratyahara (withdrawn state) every day. And just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different. — Judith Hanson Lasater

30. There will always be people who can do it better than you, but that’s a good thing! Start to see competition as inspiration — without envy. — Kathryn Budig

31. Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being. — Joel Kramer

32. Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are. — Jason Crandell

33. The very heart of yoga practice is abhyasa – steady effort in the direction you want to go. — Sally Kempton

34. Go from a human being doing yoga to a human being yoga. — Baron Baptiste

35. Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go. What does matter is who you are when you get there. — Max Storm

36. Yoga does not change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees. — B.K.S Iyengar

37. The ultimate goal of yoga is to always observe things accurately, and therefore never act in a way that will make us regret our actions later. — T.K.V. Desikachar

38. Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal…. But don’t approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain. — Sri Pattabhi Jois

39. You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state. – Sharon Gannon

40. Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success.  — Svatmarama

41. Yoga is really trying to liberate us from… shame about our bodies. To love your body is a very important thing — I think the health of your mind depends on your being able to love your body.  — Rodney Yee

42. Yoga is almost like music in a way; there’s no end to it. — Sting

43. I was in yoga the other day. I was in full lotus position. My chakras were all aligned. My mind is cleared of all clatter and I’m looking out of my third eye and everything that I’m supposed to be doing. It’s amazing what comes up, when you sit in that silence. Mama keeps whites bright like the sunlight, Mama’s got the magic of Clorox. — Ellen DeGeneres

44. The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga. — Yogi Bhajan

45. Basketball is an endurance sport, and you have to learn to control your breath; that’s the essence of yoga, too. So, I consciously began using yoga techniques in my practice and playing. I think yoga helped reduce the number and severity of injuries I suffered. As preventative medicine, it’s unequaled. — Kareem Abdul Jabbar

46. Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without. — Ymber Delecto

47.  True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is–including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life. — Craig Hamilton

48.  Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success. — Hatha Yoga Pradipika

49.  Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. — The Bhagavad Gita

50.  When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world. — B.K.S. Iyengar

Whether it is one or many of these quotes that inspire you, take the words for what they have to offer to you and your own unique experience. Whether it is one quote each day or only in needed moments, a bit of fresh inspiration feeds our minds for our daily life and practice.

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Having been a teacher’s assistant at over 50 yoga teacher trainings worldwide, Rebecca Rebecca has a firm grasp on the fine art of yoga and meditation. In her work, she carefully reflects on a vast expanse of knowledge to help others find peace in both body and mind.

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50 POWERFUL YOGA QUOTES FOR INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION

by Kristina MINDSET

Sharing is caring!

50 powerful yoga quotes for inspiration and motivation

You know that feeling when no matter how much you want to do the yoga class, you simply just don’t feel like it. When your brain comes up with dozens of other things to do instead.

To keep you inspired and motivated, and to get you going, I have put together 50 of powerful yoga quotes.

Your brain loves to repeat what is familiar with, and it prefers to stay comfortable. Developing a habit takes time, the whole of science is to keep going. That’s why I trust the powerful yoga quotes in this post will inspire and motivate you to get your butt on the mat.

“Your body can do it. It is your mind you need to convince.” ~ Unknown

“Yoga is not just repetition of few postures – it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.” ~ Amit Ray

“If you choose to see everything as a miracle, then where you are right now is perfect. There is nowhere to run to; there is nothing else to do except be in this moment and allow what is to be. From that place of radical acceptance, major change can happen. The first step in any transformational experience is acceptance and surrender to the present moment, the way that it is. From that place we have the awareness, humility and power to change what is.”  ~ Mastin Kipp

“Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being.”  ~ Joel Kramer

“Yoga is not about what you do. It is about how you do it.” ~ Adriene Mishler

“When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.” ~ Petri Räisänen

“At the center of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want.” ~ Lao Tzu

“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” ~ Kevin Trudeau

“Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind and soul.” ~ Amit Ray

“I had discovered something; there was a pleasure in becoming something new. You could will yourself into a fresh shape. Now all I had to do was figure out how to do it out there, in my life.” ~ Claire Dederer

“The journey of Yoga and Meditation teaches the purpose of human life. The life is enriched with the transformation of body, mind and soul.” ~ Purvi Raniga

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees. ~ B.K.S. Iyengar 

“Yoga is the process of eliminating pain – pain form the body, mind and the society.” ~ Amit Ray

Related Post: MIND CARDS

“Yoga is not a theory, but a journey to find inner bliss, inner joy, and reveal its magnificence.” ~ Debasish Mridha, MD

“That’s why it’s called a practice. We have to practice if it is to be of value.” ~ Peace Pilgrim

“Yoga is a method to come to a nondreaming mind. Yoga is the science to be in the here and now.” ~ Osho

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” ~   Etty Hittlesum

“Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.” ~ Amit Ray

“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” ~ Aadil Palkhivala

“You either get bitter or get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.” ~ Josh Shipp

“Yoga is like a geologist for the soul; it can show you where to dig, and what to dig for, but the digging you must do yourself.” ~ Unknown

“In meditation and in our daily lives there are three qualities that we can nurture, cultivate, and bring out. We already possess these, but they can be ripened: precision, gentleness, and the ability to let go.” ~ Pema Chodron

“Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” ~ Rolf Gates

“Yoga must not be practised to control the body: it is the opposite, it must bring freedom to the body, all the freedom it needs.” ~ Vanda Scaravelli

“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” ~ Jason Crandell 

“The best thing you could do is master the chaos in you. You are not thrown into the fire, you are the fire.” ~ Mama Indigo

“The very heart of yoga practice is abhyasa – steady effort in the direction you want to go.” ~ Sally Kempton

“There is no age for yoga. You can start at 70, 80, because if it’s done with gravity, with the breath, you receive and you don’t go against, and you will damage the body. The first thing is not to fight yourself. Be ready to receive energy. Energy helps, breathing helps. There is no age.” ~ Vanda Scaravelli

“Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go. What does matter is who you are when you get there.” ~ Max Strom 

“The ultimate goal of yoga is to always observe things accurately, and therefore never act in a way that will make us regret our actions later.” ~ T.K.V. Desikachar

“Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal…. But don’t approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain.” ~ Sri Pattabhi Jois

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built.” ~ Rumi

“Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” ~ Ymber Delecto

“Keep flowing even it’s good or bad. Stillness is the ultimate result of flow, the path of yoga is to keep flowing.” ~ Yogi Vini

“You cannot control anything except your thoughts. With yoga, you do not control yourself but you harmonize with nature.” ~ Debasish Mridha

“Yoga is an effortless dance with Breath & Gravity.” ~ Vanda Scaravelli

“Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.” ~ Uknown

“All kidding aside, if everyone did yoga, we would have world peace.” ~ Rory Freedman

“Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” ~ Bib Harper

“Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but no one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret to success.” ~ Svatmarama

“Yoga is not just a workout, it is a natural way of enhancing flexibility, calmness, clarity, and youthfulness.” ~ Debasish Mridha

“Feel the fear, and do it anyway.” ~ Amy Ippoliti

“Yoga is the science of reality.” ~ Sushil Singh

“…it’s most important to accept that your yoga poses may not look like everyone else’s. That’s okay. Just adapt the poses to your current state of being.” ~ Jessamyn Stanley

“If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter – if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood towards the Self.” ~ Sri.K.Pattabhi Jois 

“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar 

“In truth, Yoga doesn’t take time – it gives time.” ~ Ganga White

“Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar 

“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.” ~ T.K.V.Desikachar

“Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience. We don’t transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.” ~ Donna Farhi

“Inhale the future. Exhale the past.” ~ Unknown

Practising yoga is about loving yourself. It’s being kind to yourself. It’s accepting yourself where you are right at the moment. It’s about feeling your heart beating inside of your chest, it’s about cultivating the breath.

It takes commitment and constant practice, but that’s what the self-growth is. The most important part is to take action.

Keep Shining!

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Yoga quotes: finding inner peace and balance through inspiring words

Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.

Find your balance on the mat and you’ll find it in life.

Inhale confidence, exhale doubt.

Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.

Yoga is the art of listening to your body.

Yoga is not just a workout, it’s a work-in.

Let go of what no longer serves you and make space for what inspires you.

Yoga is the ultimate gift you can give to yourself.

Inhale the future, exhale the past.

Yoga is the key to unlock your true potential.

Yoga is not about being flexible, it’s about being resilient.

When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.

Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish, and loneliness.

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.

Yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life.

Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.

Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy.

Yoga is the journey of the soul back to itself.

Yoga is an invitation to dive deep into the ocean of self-discovery.

Yoga is the dance between control and surrender.

Yoga is the art of being present in the moment.

Yoga is the path to inner peace and outer strength.

Yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation.

Yoga is the practice of embracing life with open arms.

Yoga is the practice of self-love and self-acceptance.

Yoga is the art of letting go and trusting the process.

Yoga is the fire that burns away the impurities.

Yoga is the bridge that connects the mind, body, and soul.

Yoga is the light that guides us home.

Yoga is the gentle whisper that reminds us to breathe.

Yoga is the medicine that heals the body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga is the secret to living a vibrant and purposeful life.

Yoga is the practice of self-discovery and self-care.

Yoga is the anchor that keeps us grounded in a chaotic world.

Yoga is the language of the soul.

Yoga is the practice of finding freedom within limitations.

Yoga is the fuel for our inner fire.

Yoga is the roadmap to self-realization.

Yoga is the key to unlocking your true potential.

Yoga is the art of finding stillness in a busy world.

Yoga is the practice of becoming the best version of yourself.

Yoga is the gateway to a deeper connection with yourself and others.

Yoga is the practice of embracing imperfections with grace and gratitude.

Yoga is the path to inner peace and outer radiance.

Yoga is the practice of cultivating awareness and presence.

Yoga is the reminder that you are enough, just as you are.

Yoga is the catalyst for transformation and growth.

Yoga is the practice of tuning into your body’s wisdom.

Yoga is the dance of breath and movement.

Yoga is the gift of self-care and self-discovery.

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90 Powerful Yoga Quotes To Master Your Mind and Body

In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting some powerful yoga quotes to help you master your mind and body so they can work harmoniously as one.

It’s been said that the mind is like a parachute, it only works when open. Yoga has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to find peace in your life. It’s about knowing who you are as a human being – not just physically but also mentally.

Empowering your mind and body through yoga is more than just a trend, it’s a way of life. Now, it does take time and effort to find the right balance with all that you may have going on in your life, but let today’s quotes serve as some inspiration to help you along your journey.

Mindfulness Yoga Quotes

1. “Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.”

2. “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” – Jason Crandell

3. “You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” – Pema Chödrön

4. “Your body exists in the past and your mind exists in the future. In yoga, they come together in the present.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

5. “Take charge of your thoughts. You can do what you will with them.” – Plato

6. “Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.” – Francis Bacon Sr.

7. “Breathe and release anything that does not serve you.”

8. “Listen to the wind – it talks. Listen to the silence – it speaks. Listen to your heart – it knows.” – Native American Proverb

9. “Meditation is a way for nourishing and blossoming the divinity within you.”

10. “Yoga is not about self improvement , it’s about self acceptance.” – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

11. “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not to be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

12. “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” – Aldous Huxley

13. “Happiness lives inside of the smallest moments.”- Christy Ann Martine

14. “True mediation is about being fully present with everything that is including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” – Craig Hamilton

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15. “Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.” – Linda Sparrowe

Yoga Quotes About Being Present

16. “In today’s rush, we all think too much – seek too much – want too much – and forget about the joy of just being.” – Eckhart Tolle

17. “Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” – Kino Macgregor

18. “Surrender. Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of an open-ended exploration of your being.”

19. “Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.”

20. “Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment. Fully alive. Fully aware.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

21. “5 things yoga has taught me: Honor your body. Let go of things that no longer serve you. Breath. Be present and okay with it. You can achieve more than you think.”

22. “Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” – Rolf Gates

23. “Yoga is a technology for arriving in this present moment. It is a means of waking up from our spiritual amnesia, so that we can remember all that we already know.” – Donna Farhi

24. “Mindfulness: Being present without judgement in every moment.”

25. “Deep in the meadow, under the willow, a bed of grass, a soft green pillow.” – Suzanne Colns

26. “Its not about controlling. It’s about being present, being open, being aware, and allowing it to come.”

27. “Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

28. “Here and now is where yoga begins.” – The Yoga Sutras

29. “Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”

30. “The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go.”

Happy Yoga Quotes

31. “You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.”

32. “Add years to your life and life your years just by embracing yoga in your life.”

33. “We all want happiness, and yoga is the way for that much needed happiness factor in life.” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

34. “Yoga calms me down. Its a therapy session, a workout, and meditation all at the same time!” – Jennifer Aniston

35. “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is what you learn on the way down.”

36. “Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

37. “It’s not about being good at something. It’s about being good to yourself.”

38. “Health is wealth. Peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way.” – Vishnudevananda Saraswati 

39. “Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” – Bob Harper

40. “Yoga means addition. Addition of energy, strength and beauty to body , mind and soul.”

41. “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

42. “Learn to be calm and you will always be happy.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

43. “Yoga began with the first person wanting to be healthy and happy all the time.”

44. “The best thing you could do is master the chaos in you. You are not thrown into the fire, you are the fire.” – Mama Indigo

45. “Who taught us that we need to see a certain number on a scale to be happy.”

Gratitude Yoga Quotes

46. “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan

47. “Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

48. “The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.” – Robert Holden

49. “Today I choose to be grateful for everything I have, kind to myself and others, happy to be alive, present here and now.”

50. “The sun is a daily reminder that we too can rise again from the darkness, that we too can shine our own light.” – S. Ajna

51. “Make an attitude to be in gratitude. You will find the whole Universe will come to you.” – Yogi Bhajan

52. “Inhale love. Exhale Gratitude.”

53. “Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings.” – Marianne Williamson

54. “Begin each day with a grateful heart.”

55. “Fall in love with taking care of yourself. Mind. Body. Spirit.”

56. “In truth, yoga doesn’t take time, it gives time.” – Ganga White

51. “When you are grateful, an invisible blanket of peace covers you. It makes you glow, it makes you happy, strong, warm. Gratitude puts mind at ease about everything around.” – Om Swami

52. “There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” – Ralph H. Blum

53. “Each of us is a lake of love, yet strangely enough, we are all thirsty.” – Swami Kripalu

54. “Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos – the trees, the clouds, everything.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

55. “Gratitude is the golden frame through which we can view the meaning of life.” – Brendon Burchard

56. “Learning to be present with yourself and to abide in that which is steady and comfortable does not allow space for self judgement. When you live in this way, you are practicing yoga: you are living fully.” – Judith Hanson Lasater

57. “When gratitude becomes your default setting, life changes.” – Nancy Leigh Demoss

58. “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – its right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” – Brene Brown

59. “Yoga is the space where flower blossoms.” – Amit Ray

60. “Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.” – Gregory Maguire

Inner Strength Yoga Quotes

61. “My inner strength is a mighty fortress. I respect myself, I choose who I let in my heart center. I trust my choices. I am at peace with my life.”

62. “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

63. “Inner stillness is the key to outer strength.” – Jared Brock

64. “To keep the body in good health is a duty…Otherwise, we shall not be able to keep out mind strong and clear.” – Buddha

65. “Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” – Kathryn Budig

66. “Yoga is a powerful vehicle for change. As you build strength you start to believe in your own potential.” – Tiffany Cruikshank

67. “I dont sweat for pounds, or inches, or dress size. I sweat to make my outside match my inside.” – Amber Dawn Hunter

68. “When the breath control is correct, mind control is possible.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

69. “Yoga is a method to come to a non dreaming mind. Yoga is the science to be in the here and now.” – Osho

70. “Everything is within. Seek nothing outside of yourself.” – Miyamoto Musashi

71. “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes form an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Ganhi

72. “Yoga is not for the flexible. Its for the willing.”

73. “Yoga believes in transforming the individual before transforming the world.” – Swami Satchidananda

74. “It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.” – Dalai Lama

75. “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.” – Robert Tew

Yoga Quotes About Balance

76. “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go…”

77. “In movement there is balance. In balance there is movement. Yoga is all about balance. Within and without. Above, Below. Front, Behind. Male, Female. In, Out.” – Mark Whitwell

78. “Balance is the key to everything. What we do, think, say, eat, feel, they all require awareness and through this awareness we can grow.” – Koi Fresco

79. “Balance in the body is the foundation for balance in life.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

80. “When the light comes from within, balance is inevitable.” – Amy Jirsa

81. “Yoga is about rising to a new level of balance and competence in all aspects of life.” – Sadhguru

82. “Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures: it is our home.” – Rolf Gates

83. “Falling out of posture means that you are human; getting back into the posture means you are a yogi.” – Bikram Choudhury

84. “Yoga does not ask you to be more than you are. But it does ask you to be all that you are.” – Bryan Kest

85. “Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state.” – Shiva Rea

86. “There is no such thing as work – life balance – it is all life. The balance has to be within you.” – Sadhguru

87. “Life is a balance between rest and movement.“

88. “Yoga is like life. It is a balance of holding on and letting go.”

89. “Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” – T.K. V. Desikachar

90. “If I’m losing balance in a pose, I stretch higher and God reaches down to steady me. It works every time, and not just in yoga.” – Terry Guillemets

Which quotes were your favorites?

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading today’s collection of yoga quotes. They may not be able to do the work for you, but they can certainly inspire and motivate you on your journey towards a more mindful life.

Yoga is a practice that can be enjoyed by all regardless of age, fitness level or body type. It’s about connecting with your true self and breathing into the moment in order to find peace within yourself.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, take some time for yoga! You deserve it.

And…you don’t have to be a yogi to benefit from the philosophy of yoga. Practicing mindfulness is an excellent way for anyone, regardless of religion or any other affiliation, to center themselves and find peace in their lives.

Whether you’re looking for some spiritual enlightenment or just trying to ease your mind after a hectic day at work, these quotes are sure to speak volumes for how important it is as human beings that we take time out for ourselves every now and then.

Helping people and eating tacos are my jam! This blog exists to help provide tips and resources that can help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Whether you’re looking for tips on personal growth, fitness, advice on starting a side hustle, or resources for working remotely, I’ve got you covered.

Beginner Yoga and Healthy Living

112 Inspirational Yoga Quotes To Revitalize Your Practice

Do you need some yoga inspiration?

We have put together a selection of 112 inspirational yoga quotes to help you get back on the mat, no matter what your struggles are.

If you are wondering how to use these Yoga quotes, scroll through them to see what resonates most. Then, choose one or two that have a special meaning for you. You may find it useful to write it down in a journal, put it on sticky note on your bathroom mirror, or build it into your Yoga meditation. Does it make a difference to your inspiration and motivation? If not, try another quote.

Lets get straight into it.

112 Inspirational Yoga Quotes

• “Yoga. Quiet your mind. Free your body”

2. “Just Breathe.” – Every Yogi

3. “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – Bhagavad Gita

4. “Yoga began with the first person wanting to be healthy and happy all the time.” – Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras

5. “Yoga is the space where flower blossoms.” – Amit Ray

6. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

7. “Yoga is not a religion. It is a science, science of well-being, science of youthfulness, science of integrating body, mind and soul.” ― Amit Ray

8. “Yoga adds years to your life and life to your years.” – Alan Finger

9. “It is important not to abandon the practice of yoga because we believe it is driven by the wrong motivation. The practice of yoga itself transforms. Yoga has a magical quality.” – Ravi Ravindra

10 “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

11. “Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” – T. K. V. Desikachar

12. “True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life.” – Aadil Palkhivala

13.“When in doubt, do Yoga” – Anonymous

14. “The pose begins when you want to leave it.” – B.K.S Iyengar

15. “Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” – Anonymous

16. “Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

17. “The asanas are useful maps to explore yourself, but they are not the territory.” – Donna Farhi

18. “If we have the attitude that it’s going to be a great day it usually is.” – Catherine Pulsifier

19. Yoga does not transform the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees. – B.K.S. Iyengar

20. “Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way.” -Cybele Tomlinson

21. “Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are.” – Erich Schiffman

22. “Impossible is just an opinion.” – Paulo Coelho

23. “When life is foggy, the path is unclear and the mind is dull, remember your breath. It has the power to give you the peace. It has the power to resolve the unsolved equations of life.” – Amit Ray

24. “Yoga is a vision that excludes nothing from its practice” – Bhagavad Gita

25. “Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.” – Patanjali

26. “The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing Yoga are your body and your mind.” – Rodney Yee

27. “Never too late, never too bad and never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again.”- Bikram Choudhury

28. “Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” – Ymber Delecto

29. “Yoga is an inner experience¬ – a workIN within a workOUT.” – A. G. Mohan

30. “Let us accept all the different paths as different rivers running toward the same ocean.” – Swami Satchidananda

31. “There’s no pose that you can’t begin to break down and try to do.” – Jason Crandell

32. “Yoga is the only exercise in the world you can do at any age. There is always some posture that will improve your health, mind and soul.”- Bikram Choudhury

33. “Yoga is the process of eliminating pain – pain form the body, mind and the society.” – Amit Ray

34. “In truth, Yoga doesn’t take time it gives time” – Ganga White

35. “The life of a Yogi is to manifest a beautiful and wonderfully blissful tomorrow.” – Yogi Bhajan

36. “It’s not about being good at something. It’s about being good to yourself.” – Yogi Malik

37. “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, you can make anything happen.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

38. “Yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself.” – Bhagavad Gita

39. “Life is not a battle to win but a melody to sing.” – Amit Ray

40. “The meaning of yoga is connection of mind, body and spirit. If you have a bad telecommunication system, your body gets sick. Yoga helps fix that.”- Bikram Choudhury

41. “To perform every action artfully is Yoga” – Swami Kripalu

42. “Yoga is the only exercise on this planet from which you gain energy instead of burning energy.”- Bikram Choudhury

43. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi

44. “Yoga makes you harmonious with nature and teaches you to be joyfully curious about your inner world.” – Debasish Mridha

45. “Yoga is not about self-improvement, it’s about self-acceptance.” – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

46. “Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

47. “When the light comes from within, balance is inevitable.” – Amy Jirsa

48. “Yoga is a way of getting totally drunk – not on alcohol but on life. You know, they call it divine.” – Sadhguru

49. “The real pleasure, the real peace, the real enlightenment is to give. The more you give the more you get. If you give 10, you get 100.” – Bikram Choudhury

50. “Yoga teaches is to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be changed.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

51. “One day or day one. You decide.” – Unknown

52. “I have often said that yoga is meditation and meditation is yoga.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

53. “The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go.” – Sally Kempton

54. “Yoga means addition – the addition of energy, strength, and beauty to body, mind and soul.” – Amit Ray

55. “Negative attitude is nine times more powerful than positive attitude.” – Bikram Choudhury

56. “The yoga pose is not the goal. Becoming flexible is not the goal. Standing on your hands is not the goal. The goal is serenity. Balance. Truly finding peace in your own skin.” – Rachel Brathen, Yoga Girl

57. Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.” – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

58. “Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.” -Yogi Bhajan

59. “Yoga philosophy believes that we each must face certain obstacles along our path.” – Kino McGregor

60. “Yoga teaches you how to listen to your body.”- Mariel Hemingway

61. “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – T.S. Eliot

62. “Goodbye blue Monday.” – Kurt Vonnegut

63. “Calming the mind is yoga. Not just standing on the head.” – Swami Satchidananda

64. “I bend so that I don’t break.” ~ unknown

65. “Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn’t have any strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can’t practice.” – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

66. “Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

67. “In our uniquely human capacity of connecting movement with breath and spiritual meaning, Yoga is born.” – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

68. “Yoga is a balanced equation between stiffness and mobility, flexibility and strength.” – Jason Crandell

69. “Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” – Bob Harper

70. “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.” – Rumi

71. “I have often said that yoga is meditation and meditation is yoga.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

72. “The true purpose of yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost.” – Deepak Chopra

73. “The inspiration you seek is already inside you, be silent and listen.” – Rumi

74. “Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” – B.K.S Iyengar

75. “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan

76. “It doesn’t matter what it looks like; it matters what it feels like.” – Bryan Kest

77. “Yoga is clear, discerning, totally voluntary, dynamic participation in one’s life.” – Bhagavad Gita

78. “It’s not your history but your presence on the mat that matters.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

79. “We all want happiness, and Yoga is the way for that needed happiness factor in life.” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

80. “Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” – Kevin Trudeau

81. “Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom that you may not have known even existed.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

82. “Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within.”

83. “What you think, you become.” – Buddha

84. “Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists.”- Patanjali

85. “Yoga is a powerful tool for liberating ourselves from unwanted, ingrained patterns.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

86. “Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” –Jason Crandell

87. “My Yoga practice made me sure – made me know in my bones, that my body was a powerful, good and safe place to be.” – Amber Karnes

88. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

89. “Do not feel lonely. The entire universe is inside of you.” –Rumi

90. “A mind free from all disturbances is yoga.” – Patanjali

91. “I was looking for someone to inspire me, motivate me, support me, keep me focused… Someone who would love me, cherish me, make me happy, and I realized all along that I was looking for myself.” –Unknown

92. “Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony.” – Debasish Mridha

93. “Practice and all is coming.” – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

94. “The quality of our breath expresses our inner feeling.” – T.K.V Desikachar

95. “You have to understand the purpose of life. The purpose of life is to do something which will live forever.” – Yogi Bhajan

96. “The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” – Jason Crandell

97. “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is what you learn on the way down.” – Jigar Gor

98. “Whatever you do in life, Yoga show you how to do it better.” – Chuck Miller

99. “The best time to practice Yoga is when you don’t have the time for it” – Unknown

100. “The body benefits from movement and the mind benefits from stillness” – Sakyong Mipham

101. “Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move. Move the way joy makes you move.” – Osho

102. “Remember it does not matter how deep into a posture you go. What does matter is who you are when you get there.” – Max Storm

103. “Yoga is essentially a practice for your soul, working through the medium of your body.” – Tara Fraser

104. “Here and now is where yoga begins” – The Yoga Sutras

105. “Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” – Ymber Delecto

106. “Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be.” – Linda Sparrowe

107. “Yoga is a light that will never dim, the better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S Iyengar

108. “Yoga is your mind control capacity.” Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

109. “It’s not your history but you presence on your mat that matters.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

110. “Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” – Kino MacGregor

111. “Yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself.” – Bhagavad Gita

112. “The yoga pose you avoid the most is the one you need the most.” – Anonymous

We hope you have found a few gems under these inspirational yoga quotes – enough to give your practice a boost.

If you are interested to do more reading on yoga motivation and inspiration, you might find the following posts of interest:

• How To Motivate Yourself To Do Yoga Regularly In Six Steps
• 12 Tips To Help You Make Time For Yoga
• The 10 Yoga Habits That Will Turn You Into A Better Yogi
• 15 Essential Yoga Tips For Beginners
• How Yoga Helps Depression – The Scientific Evidence

58 of the Most Inspiring Yoga Quotes

Part of yoga is about linking your body and mind, sometimes it may be difficult for a person to become fully aware of themselves. Every person is different and we all move at our own pace.

Some people may become really good at practicing yoga and make a good start on creating this link in just a few classes, but some others may find it difficult and struggle to create that link.

Here is a list of truly inspiring yoga quotes that will hopefully help you or a friend get inspired to keep trying and motivated to not give up.

Inspirational Yoga Quotes

• “You either get bitter or get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.” – Josh Shipp
• “Anybody can breathe. Therefore anybody can practice yoga.” – T.K.V. Desikachar
• “Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
• “When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.” – Petri Raisanen
• ”True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” – Aadil Palkhivala
• “I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the highest source. I salute that source in you. Let us work together for unity and love” – Gandhi
• “It’s not life that matters, it’s the courage you bring to it.” – Yogi Bhajan
• “Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forwards to become the person they’re meant to be.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
• “Yoga is the ultimate practice. It simultaneously stimulates our inner light and quiets our overactive minds. It is both energy and rest. Yin and Yang. We feel the burn and find our bliss.” – Beachbody Yoga Expert Elise Joan
• “Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.“ – Unknown
• ”The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ steady effort in the direction you want to go.” – Sally Kempton
• “Yoga is not about what you do. It is about how you do it.” – Adriene Mishler
• “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise so I am changing myself.” – Rumi
• “The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” – Jason Crandell
• “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” – Buddha
• ”Yoga means addition. Addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul.” – Amit Ray
• “I was looking for someone to inspire me, motivate me, support me, keep me focused… Someone who would love me, cherish me, make me happy, and I realized all along that I was looking for myself.” – Unknown
• “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.”- Zig Ziglar
• “I had discovered something; there was a pleasure in becoming something new. You could will yourself into a fresh shape. Now all I had to do was figure out how to do it out there, in my life.” – Claire Dederer, Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses
• “True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” – Craig Hamilton
• ”Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” – Kevin Trudeau
• “In karma yoga no effort is ever lost, and there is no harm. Even a little practice of this discipline protects one from great fear of birth and death.” – Bhagavad Gita
• “What you think, you become.” – Buddha
• “Yoga is not a work-out; it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice, to make us teachable, to open up our hearts, and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” – Rolf Gates
• “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – The Bhagavad Gita
• ”Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked.” – Desikashar
• “Without proper breathing, the yoga postures are nothing more than calisthenics.” – Rachel Schaeffer
• “It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.” – Bhagavad Gita
• “Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” – Kino MacGregor
• ”Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony.” – Unknown
• ”The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
• “I am standing on my own altar; The poses are my prayers” – B.K.S. Iyengar
• “Do your practice and all is coming.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
• “I think it’s interesting that the opposite of being active in yoga is not being passive. It’s being receptive.” – Cyndi Lee
• ”In truth yoga doesn’t take time – it gives time.” – Ganga White
• ”Once you’re in touch with the life force around us, it’s natural to want to help keep it around.” – Adi Carter
• “Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures: it is our home.” – Rolf Gates
• “Remember the emphasis on the heart. The mind lives in doubt and the heart lives in trust. When you trust, suddenly you become centred.” – Osho
• “Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is.” – Richard Freeman
• ”Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” – Unknown
• ”Let your practice be a celebration of life” – Seido lee deBarros
• “Yoga has sly, clever ways of short circuiting the mental patterns that cause anxiety.” – Baxter Bell
• “If you seek peace, be still. If you seek wisdom, be silent. If you seek love, be yourself.” – Becca Lee
• “Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go, what does matter is who you are when you get there.” – Max Strom
• ”The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” – B.K.S Iyengar
• ”The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind.” – Rodney Yee
• “The chakras are very intelligent. They are like the software of the whole computer body.” – Dharma Mittra
• “Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success.” – Svatmarama
• “Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state. Can we dance with change? Can we fall and try again with playfulness? Do we have the focus, skill, and attunement to find the still point within it all?” – Shiva Rea
• ”The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness” – Unknown
• ”To perform every action artfully is yoga.” – Swami Kripalu
• “The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
• “One of the fundamental principles of yoga: a small action done repeatedly can make an enormous difference.” – Dr Timothy McCall
• “When we push for immediate results and instant healing, we never inhabit the important in-between phase, which is where much of the learning and growth actually happen.” – Bo Forbes, Yoga for Emotional Balance
• ”Yoga happens beyond the mat, anything you do with attention to how you feel is doing yoga.” – Unknown
• “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan
• “Practicing yoga during the day is a matter of keeping your eyes on the road and one ear turned toward the infinite.” – Erich Schiffmann
• “Yoga is really trying to liberate us from… shame about our bodies. To love your body is a very important thing, I think the health of your mind depends on your being able to love your body.” – Rodney Yee

Related Yoga Quotes:

• 57 of the Best Yoga Quotes about Happiness
• Yoga Quotes for Spring
• The Most Inspirational Yoga Quotes You’ve Ever Heard!
• Yoga Quotes to Help You With Letting Go
• 49 of the Best Yoga Quotes about Love
• Need More Gratitude During Yoga – Check out these quotes!

Use some of these quotes in your yoga classroom to inspire your students, send a couple of these quotes to those couple of students that you think are struggling with their path, or use them for yourself if you are struggling with your own path.

These quotes can help bring inspiration to those that read them and aid them on their path to enlightening their soul.

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52 Inspiring Yoga Quotes on Happiness and Joy

A joyful heart and a happy state of mind is not something that just happens; it requires effort, intention, and practice. Yoga teaches us how to cultivate happiness in our lives by focusing on the present moment, living in harmony with nature, cultivating inner peace, practicing detachment, and showing compassion and kindness towards others. Inspirational quotes are a great tool to motivate you to practice yoga and approach life with a positive mindset and an open heart. To help you find more joy inside and out, we’ve compiled these 52 inspiring yoga quotes on happiness.

Our Favorite Inspirational Quotes on Yoga and Happiness

Inspirational quotes are perfect reminders to bring your body, mind, and spirit into harmony. Use the following quotes to remind yourself to be kinder to yourself and to inspire you to keep going when times get tough. We hope the following yoga quotes will inspire, uplift, and empower you to take action towards cultivating and creating more joy in your life.

• Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. — Mahatma Gandhi
• Healthy plants and trees yield abundant flowers and fruits. Similarly, from a healthy person, smiles and happiness shine forth like the rays of the sun. — B. K. S. Iyengar
• The path to wholeness starts by loving yourself. It always starts there. If you love yourself, you will do whatever it takes to restore your health and happiness. — Dashama Konah Gordon
• Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. In order to be happy one should have good health, a well-balanced mind, a prosperous life, the right work, a thankful heart, and above all, wisdom or knowledge of God. — Paramahansa Yogananda
• Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. —  Buddha
• Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility, and joy. — B. K. S. Iyengar
• A much more interesting, kind, adventurous, and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop curiosity, not caring whether the object of our inquisitiveness is bitter or sweet. ― Pema Chodron
• Authentic joy is not a euphoric state or a feeling of being high. Rather, it is a state of appreciation that allows us to participate fully in our lives. We train in rejoicing in the good fortune of self and others. ― Pema Chodron
• Be happy for those who are happy, have compassion towards the unhappy, and maintain equanimity towards the wicked. — Patanjali
• Be sincere in your thoughts,  Be pure in your feelings. You will not have to run after happiness. Happiness will run after you. ― Sri Chinmoy
• To preserve openness of heart and calmness of mind, nurture these attitudes:  Kindness to those who are happy. Compassion for those who are less fortunate. Honor for those who embody noble qualities. Equanimity to those whose actions oppose your values. ― Nischala Joy Devi
• Happiness lies in making others happy , in forsaking self-interest to bring joy to others. —  Paramahansa Yogananda
• Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom. ― B.K.S. Iyengar
• I learned a few years ago that balance is the key to a happy and successful life, and a huge part of achieving that balance is to instill rituals into your everyday life – a nutritious balanced diet, daily exercise, time for yourself through meditation, reading, journaling, yoga, daily reflection, and setting goals. —  Gretchen Bleiler
• If failure has the strength to turn your life into bitterness itself, then patience has the strength to turn your life into the sweetest joy. Do not surrender to fate after a single failure. Failure, at most, precedes success. ― Sri Chinmoy
• If there are always forces around which are concerned to depress and discourage, there are always forces above and around us which we can draw upon, – draw into ourselves to restore, to fill up again with strength and faith and joy and the power that perseveres and conquers. It is really a habit that one has to get of opening to these helpful forces and either passively receiving them or actively drawing upon them – for one can do either. ― Sri Aurobindo
• If you have done something meritorious, you experience pleasure and happiness; if wrong things, suffering. A happy or unhappy life is your own creation. Nobody else is responsible. If you remember this, you won’t find fault with anybody. You are your own best friend as well as your worst enemy. — Sri Swami Satchidananda
• If you want to be sad, no one in the world can make you happy. But if you make up your mind to be happy, no one and nothing on earth can take that happiness from you. —  Paramahansa Yogananda
• In deep, conscious involvement with everything around you, there is no entanglement—there is just joy. —  Sadhguru
• Judge nothing, you will be happy. Forgive everything, you will be happier. Love everything, you will be happiest. ― Sri Chinmoy
• Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free. ― Thich Nhat Hanh
• Make others truly happy as you strive to make yourself happy. Speak a helpful word. Give a cheering smile. Do a kind act. Serve a little. Wipe the tears of one who is in distress. Render smooth a rough place in another’s path. You will feel great joy. —  Sivananda
• Many people think excitement is happiness …. But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace. —  Thich Nhat Hanh
• Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes. — Thich Nhat Hanh
• Pain or pleasure, joy or misery, agony or ecstasy, happens only inside you. Human folly is that people are always trying to extract joy from the outside. You may use the outside as a stimulus or trigger, but the real thing always comes from within. ― Sadhguru
• Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. ― Thich Nhat Hanh
• Real joy means immediate expansion. If we experience pure joy, immediately our heart expands. ― Sri Chinmoy
• Remain fixed in the sunlight of the true consciousness — for only there is happiness and peace. They do not depend upon outside happenings, but on this alone. ― Sri Aurobindo
• Submit to a daily practice. Your loyalty to that is a ring at the door. Keep knocking, and the joy inside will eventually open a window and look out to see who’s there. —  Rumi
• Surrendering to the demands of the senses does not satisfy them, but rather creates insatiable desires for further sense experiences. Sense pleasure is like a drink of hemlock, which, instead of quenching thirst, only increases it! Soul pleasure, though hard to attain, when once gained is never diminished; it knows no satiety, and yields ever new joys. —  Paramahansa Yogananda
• The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy. —  H.H. the Dalai Lama
• The forceful, activating impulse of wrong desire is the greatest enemy to the happiness of man. Roam in the world as a lion of self-control; don’t let the frogs of sense weakness kick you around! ― Paramahansa Yogananda
• The greatest obstacle to connecting with our joy is resentment. ― Pema Chodron
• The more we make friends with ourselves, the more we can see that our ways of shutting down and closing off are rooted in the mistaken thinking that the way to get happy is to blame somebody else. ― Pema Chodron
• The more your heart is open and filled with joy and gratitude, the more you will enjoy life and be able to shine your light out into the world. The more light you shine into the world, the more you can help others with your very presence. ― Max Strom
• The nature of all material things is impermanent, and that it is thus foolishness to expect permanent happiness by clinging to material forms and objects. —  Paramahansa Yogananda
• The purpose of life is to watch and experience living. To enjoy living every moment of it. And to live in environments, which are calm, quiet, slow, sophisticated, elegant. Just to be. Whether you are naked or you have a golden robe on you, that doesn’t make any difference. The ideal purpose of your life is that you are grateful—great and full—that you are alive, and you enjoy it. — Yogi Bhajan
• The saints have found that happiness lies in a constant mental state of unruffled peace during all the experiences of earthly dualities. A changeable mind perceives a changeable creation, and is easily disturbed; the unchangeable soul and the unruffled mind, on the other hand, behold, behind the masks of change, the Eternal Spirit. — Paramahansa Yogananda
• Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place. —  Rumi
• The yogi learns to find God in the cave of his heart. Wherever he goes, he carries with him the blissful consciousness of God’s presence. — Paramahansa Yogananda
• This is the path we take in cultivating joy: learning not to armor our basic goodness, learning to appreciate what we have. Most of the time we don’t do this. Rather than appreciate where we are, we continually struggle and nurture our dissatisfaction. It’s like trying to get the flowers to grow by pouring cement on the garden. ― Pema Chodron
• To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, be a beautiful lotus flower, don’t try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition and try to change yourself to fit what other people want you to be, you will suffer all your life. True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself. ― Thich Nhat Hanh
• True inner joy is self-created.  It does not depend on outer circumstances. A river is flowing in and through you carrying the message of joy. This divine joy is the sole purpose of life. ― Sri Chinmoy
• We can learn to rejoice in even the smallest blessings our life holds. It is easy to miss our own good fortune; often happiness comes in ways we don’t even notice. ― Pema Chodron
• We must create a marriage between the awareness of the body and that of the mind. When two parties do not cooperate, there is unhappiness on both sides. ― B.K.S. Iyengar
• When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love. ― Thich Nhat Hanh
• When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. —  H.H. the Dalai Lama
• When you make someone happy, you see his or her happy face and feel happy yourself. If you have really experienced the joy of just giving something for the sake of giving, you will wait greedily for opportunities to get that joy again and again. Many people think that by renouncing everything, by becoming selfless and desireless, there is no enjoyment. No. That is not so. Instead, you become the happiest man or woman. The more you serve, the more happiness you enjoy. Such a person knows the secret of life. There is a joy in losing everything, in giving everything. You cannot be eternally happy by possessing things. The more you possess, the more sad you become. ― Sri Swami Satchidananda
• Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness. — Indra Devi
• Yoga makes you harmonious with nature and teaches you to be joyfully curious about your inner world. —  Debashish Mridha
• Yoga sequences are designed to uncover our birthright: love, joy, and freedom. The body can experience these essences as space, ease, and liberation. ― Colleen Saidman Yee
• You do not have to leave earth’s shores to put on wings; you must learn rather to be happy here and now, under all conditions; and consider others’ happiness as part of your own joy. — Paramahansa Yogananda

How to Use Inspirational Quotes in Your Yoga Practice

Quotes are powerful tools you can use to motivate yourself to action or infuse your practice with intention. Each quote is a bite-sized nugget of potent wisdom, often presented in a poetic or otherwise memorable way. Here are a few practical ways to incorporate these inspirational quotes on yoga for happiness into your practice:

• Print out the list of quotes and post them wherever you might need a reminder to practice mindfulness, yoga, and meditation with joy and lightheartedness.
• Create an intention card or small piece of artwork featuring a quote and place it on your personal altar  or in your practice space.
• Share your favorite quotes on social media to build communal support for your expression and use of joy and happiness in your yoga practices.
• Read a few quotes before you practice yoga or meditation to set an intention or mood for your practice.
• Use a quote as the seed thought for deep contemplation or journaling .

Share your quotes with us

Are there any other quotes on yoga and joy that have encouraged and supported you to create and maintain happiness in your life? We’d love to hear them, so please post them in the comments below!

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61 Yoga Quotes to Inspire Your Daily Practice

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

Today we’re sharing with you a collection of inspiring yoga quotes that will motivate and enrich your practice and your personal life.

Yoga is not a religion—it is a life philosophy that can have a profound influence on your personal worldview.

With regular practice, yoga helps you overcome the stresses encountered in daily life and offers peace and relaxation that point the way to mindfulness .

We hope the following quotes create for you a deeper connection with yourself as you embody the yogic philosophy .

May you find balance, discipline, wisdom, love, freedom, and positivity in performing your daily practice.

Here is our collection of yoga quotes.

• “ Yoga begins right where I am – not where I was yesterday or where I long to be. ” – Linda Sparrowe
• “ We all want happiness , and yoga is the way for that much needed happiness factor in life. ” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
• “ Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar
• “ Yoga practice can make us more and more sensitive to subtler and subtler sensations in the body. Paying attention to and staying with finer and finer sensations within the body is one of the surest ways to steady the wandering mind. ” – Ravi Ravindra
• “ The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness. ” – Sakyong Mipham

The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness. ” – Sakyong Mipham

• “ There is always room for change , but you have to be open to that change. ” – Kathryn Budig
• “ There will always be people who can do it better than you, but that’s a good thing! Start to see competition as inspiration — without envy. ” – Kathryn Budig
• “ Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are. ” – Jason Crandell
• “ Yoga is not about self-improvement , it’s about self-acceptance. ” – Gurmuk Kaur Khalsa
• “ Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down. ” – Jigar Gor
• “ Yoga is the ultimate practice. It simultaneously stimulates our inner light and quiets our overactive minds . It is both energy and rest. Yin and Yang. We feel the burn and find our bliss. ” – Elise Joan
• “ Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success. ” – Svatmarama
• “ Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal…. But don’t approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain. ” – Sri Pattabhi Jois
• “ Yoga is a method to come to a nondreaming mind. Yoga is the science to be in the here and now. ” – Osho

• “ Yoga means addition – addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul. ” – Amit Ray
• “ Yoga is the space where flower blossoms. ” – Amit Ray
• “ Move your joints every day. You have to find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself. ” – Sri Dharma Mittra
• “ Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked. ” – Desikashar
• “ When breath control is correct, mind control is possible. ” – Pattabhi Jois
• “ Go from a human being doing yoga to a human being yoga. ” – Baron Baptiste
• “ The ultimate goal of yoga is to always observe things accurately, and therefore never act in a way that will make us regret our actions later. ” – T. K. V. Desikachar
• “ Calming the mind is yoga. Not just standing on the head. ” – Swami Satchidananda
• “ Yoga is not a work-out , it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are. ” – Rolf Gates
• “ The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga. ” – Yogi Bhajan
• “ True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; it is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; it cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied. ” – Aadil Palkhivala
• “ A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves. ” – T. Guillemets
• “ I think it’s interesting that the opposite of being active in yoga is not being passive. It’s being receptive. ” – Cyndi Lee
• “ Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar
• “ The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar

The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar

• “ Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way. With yoga, we become aware of how and where we are restricted — in body, mind, and heart — and how gradually to open and release these blockages. As these blockages are cleared, our energy is freed. We start to feel more harmonious, more at one with ourselves. Our lives begin to flow — or we begin to flow more in our lives. ” – Cybele Tomlinson
• “ Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. ” – Yogi Bhajan
• “ That’s exactly how it is in yoga. The places where you have the most resistance are actually the places that are going to be the areas of the greatest liberation. ” – Rodney Yee
• “ Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is. ” – Richard Freeman
• “ Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being. ” – Joel Kramer
• “ Yoga is when every cell of the body sings the song of the soul. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar
• “ Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory. ” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
• “ Learning to be present with yourself and to abide in that which is steady and comfortable does not allow space for self-judgment. When you live this way, you are practicing yoga: you are living fully. ” – Judith Hanson Lasater
• “ The harmonizing of opposing forces is a key aspect of yoga — hot energy is united with cool energy, strong with soft, and masculine with feminine. ” – Tara Fraser
• “ Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible. ” – Bob Harper

• “ You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state. ” – Sharon Gannon
• “ Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar
• “ My biggest struggles have been my biggest teachers. ” – Kathryn Budig
• “ Exercises are like prose, whereas yoga is the poetry of movements. Once you understand the grammar of yoga; you can write your poetry of movements. ” – Amit Ray
• “ If we practice yoga long enough, the practice changes to suit our needs. It’s important to acknowledge that the practice isn’t meant to be one practice for everybody. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there are so many different approaches. As we go through our life cycles, hopefully we are able to find a practice that suits us. And if you practice yoga long enough, that will change many times. What exactly that looks like is going to be different for each person. ” – Tiffany Cruikshank
• “ The peace of God is with them whose mind and soul are in harmony, who are free from desire and wrath, who know their own soul. ” – Hagavad Gita
• “ Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state. ” – Shiva Rea
• “ Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go — what does matter is who you are when you go there. ” – Max Strom

Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go — what does matter is who you are when you go there. ” – Max Strom

• “ If I’m losing balance in a pose, I stretch higher and God reaches down to steady me. It works every time, and not just in yoga. ” – Terri Guillemets
• “ The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go. ” – Sally Kempton
• “ Yoga must not be practiced to control the body: it is the opposite, it must bring freedom to the body, all the freedom it needs. ” – Vanda Scaravelli
• “ Crying is one of the highest devotional songs. One who knows crying, knows spiritual practice. If you can cry with a pure heart, nothing else compares to such a prayer. Crying includes all the principles of Yoga. ” – Kripalvanandji
• “ Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without. ” – Ymber Delecto
• “ Yoga, as a way of life and a philosophy, can be practiced by anyone with inclination to undertake it, for yoga belongs to humanity as a whole. It is not the property of any one group or any one individual, but can be followed by any and all, in any corner of the globe, regardless of class, creed or religion. ” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
• “ Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing. ” – Anonymous
• “ Yoga is almost like music in a way; there’s no end to it. ” – Sting

• “ …just enjoy yourself. For many years I mistook discipline as ambition. Now I believe it to be more about consistency. Do get on the mat. Practice and life are not that different. ” – Judith Hanson Lasater
• “ One of the fundamental principles of yoga: a small action done repeatedly can make an enormous difference. ” – Dr. Timothy McCall
• “ The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime. ” – Sogyal Rinpoche
• “ I had discovered something; there was a pleasure in becoming something new. You could will yourself into a fresh shape. Now all I had to do was figure out how to do it out there, in my life. ” – Claire Dederer
• “ Yoga is the journey of the self through the self to the self. ” – The Bhagavad Gita
• “ My body is my temple and asanas are my prayers. ” – Sri B. K. S. Iyengar

Final Thoughts on Yoga Quotes

There you have it—a collection of yoga quotes to motivate and inspire your own practice.

We hope you enjoyed this collection and that you’ve found a favorite or two among the quotes featured today.

May you find wisdom, peace, freedom, and love on this path.

If you’ve chosen yoga as part of your fitness routine, you might want to visit this post for our review of the best yoga mats for hot yoga currently available on the market .

Or, if you’re still undecided if yoga is right for you, you might want to check out this review of the best yoga books for beginners to help you decide .

And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 67 Mindfulness Quotes About Love, Work, Meditation and Mindful Eating
• 57 Wellness Quotes to Build a Healthy Mindset (and Body)
• 122 Inspiring Quotes About Time and Living Life to the Fullest

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's truly important to you. .

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B.K.S. Iyengar Quotes

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The study of asana is not about mastering posture. It's about using posture to understand and transform yourself.

We can rise above our limitations, only once we recognize them.

Sometimes our body is willing, but our mind is weak. Sometimes our mind is willing, but our body is weak. Do not be afraid. Strive to extend your capacity but do not be disappointed with yourself. What does not challenge us, cannot change us.

By drawing our senses of perception inward, we are able to experience the control, silence, and quietness of the mind.

Look after the root of the tree, and the fragrant flower and luscious fruits will grow by themselves. Look after the health of the body, and the fragrance of the mind and richness of the spirit will follow.

Do not think of yourself as a small, compressed, suffering thing. Think of yourself as graceful and expanding, no matter how unlikely it may seem at the time.

The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity, peace, and poise, to free it from confusion and distress.

Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be.

The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.

Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.

A stable mind is like the hub of a wheel. The world may spin around you, but the mind is steady.

Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.

Words cannot convey the value of yoga - it has to be experienced.

Focus on keeping your spine straight. It is the job of the spine to keep the brain alert.

Balance in the body is the foundation for balance in life.

An intellectual mind that is unconnected to the heart is an uncultivated mind.

When your body, mind and soul are healthy and harmonious, you will bring health and harmony to the world- not by withdrawing from the world, but by being a healthy, living organ of the body of humanity.

Why think of liberation at some future time? Liberation is in the little things, here and now.

You must purge yourself before finding faults in others.

There is only one reality, but there are many ways that reality can be interpreted.

When an asana is done correctly the body movements are smooth, there is lightness in the body and freedom in the mind.

When you are practicing, do not just do that for the sake of doing. Learn to reflect while you are practising. Make your mind and brain observe and relearn what you are doing. Doing is mechanical; learning is dynamic.

Yoga is the golden key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquility and joy.

Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.

The decision to relax rather than to grip, even in the face of impatience or fear, is a conscious and brave choice.

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B.K.S. Iyengar

• Born: December 14, 1918
• Died: August 20, 2014
• Occupation: Teacher
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10 Yoga Quotes To Inspire You On And Off The Mat

Yoga isn’t just about getting a good workout (although it’s certainly a great way to improve strength and balance while getting your sweat on!). Yoga can be a unique avenue to find and build your power during difficult phases of life. It can also help us dig up and confront buried emotions that tend to get in the way of our spiritual progress and mental tranquility. As these yoga quotes help illustrate, these qualities of yoga are just a few of the reasons yoga practitioners refer to yoga as a “lifestyle.”

Indeed, for most yogis, the mat is a sanctuary–but the treadmill of everyday living can understandably make us lose sight of this fact. Practice can feel like another thing to check off the list or squeeze into a long day. We forget that yoga, even if it is one more activity, actually helps us through the rest of what awaits us. It can even boost creativity !  This post includes 10 inspirational yoga quotes to help remind us busy folk to get on our mats and get grounded. 

This post includes 10 inspirational yoga quotes to help remind us busy folk to get on our mats, get grounded, and  feel better in every way possible. 

10 Inspirational Yoga Quotes

1. The yoga pose you avoid the most you need the most. ~Author Unknown

2. Yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself. ~Bhagavad Gita

3. Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured. ~B.K.S. Iyengar

4. The pose begins when you want to get out of it. ~Baron Baptiste

5. The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body. ~Jason Crandall

6. A mind free from all disturbances is yoga. ~Panatela

7. What I’m looking for is not out there; it is in me. ~Helen Keller

8. The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships. ~T. K. V. Desikachar

9. When the light comes from within, balance is inevitable. ~Amy Jirsa

10. You cannot breathe deeply and worry at the same time. Breathe. Let the worry go. Breathe. Allow the love and intuition in. ~Sonia Choquette 

What are your favorite yoga quotes? 

Related: 16 Most Moving Quotes about Love

7 Beauty Positive Message that Reject Narrow Definitions of Beauty

How Yoga and Ahimsa Define My Veganism

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Check out Rina Jakubowicz's author page.

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>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-6-reflect-on-the-path-of-devotion-and-love/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 6: reflect on the path of devotion and love"}}'> day 6: reflect on the path of devotion and love, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-5-give-back-with-selfless-service/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 5: give back with selfless service"}}'> day 5: give back with selfless service, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-4-follow-the-path-of-knowledge-to-your-highest-self/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 4: follow the path of knowledge to your highest self"}}'> day 4: follow the path of knowledge to your highest self, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-3-find-the-pose-you-need-right-now/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 3: find the pose you need right now"}}'> day 3: find the pose you need right now, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-2-learn-the-interplay-of-the-body-mind-and-intellect/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 2: learn the interplay of the body, mind, and intellect"}}'> day 2: learn the interplay of the body, mind, and intellect, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/day-1-develop-a-positive-perspective/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "day 1: develop a positive perspective"}}'> day 1: develop a positive perspective, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/welcome-to-the-embodied-yoga-philosophy-challenge/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "welcome to the embodied yoga philosophy challenge"}}'> welcome to the embodied yoga philosophy challenge, >", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/live-yoga-quit-one-thing/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "i began to truly live yoga when i quit doing this one thing"}}'> i began to truly live yoga when i quit doing this one thing.

By surrendering the coveted title of “yoga teacher,” I became the student I had always wanted to be.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/why-namaslay-is-problematic/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Those Cute ‘Namaslay’ Puns? They’re Problematic"}}'> Those Cute ‘Namaslay’ Puns? They’re Problematic

Namaste puns = cultural appropriation.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/3-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-bhagavad-gita/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "3 Things You May Not Know About the Bhagavad Gita"}}'> 3 Things You May Not Know About the Bhagavad Gita

For starters, that battle wasn’t a metaphor.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/let-go-of-perfection-with-wisdom-from-the-bhagavad-gita/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Let Go of Perfection with Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita"}}'> Let Go of Perfection with Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita

Anusha Wijeyakumar shares how to embrace your humanity by leaning into your dharma (purpose).

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/8-limbs-of-yoga/eight-limbs-of-yoga/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Get to Know the 8 Limbs of Yoga"}}'> Get to Know the 8 Limbs of Yoga

Patanjali's eight-fold path offers guidelines for a meaningful and purposeful life. Get to know this prescription for moral and ethical conduct, and self-discipline.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/caste-in-bhagavad-gita-video/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What You’ll Learn About Caste in Our New Workshop on the Bhagavad Gita"}}'> What You’ll Learn About Caste in Our New Workshop on the Bhagavad Gita

Check out Anusha Wijeyakumar's author page.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/bhagavad-gita-yoga-philosophy/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Watch: What the Bhagavad Gita Teaches Us About the True Meaning of Yoga"}}'> Watch: What the Bhagavad Gita Teaches Us About the True Meaning of Yoga

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/why-we-need-bhagavad-gita-now-more-than-ever/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "5 reasons we need the bhagavad gita now more than ever"}}'> 5 reasons we need the bhagavad gita now more than ever.

Plus, the timeless spiritual text’s one theme that’s most often avoided in Western yoga classes.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/yoga-bhagavad-gita-community-anusha-wijeyakumar-video/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "“We think that yoga is something that we do. Yoga is something that we are.”"}}'> “We think that yoga is something that we do. Yoga is something that we are.”

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/spirituality/the-number-108/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "what’s so sacred about the number 108"}}'> what’s so sacred about the number 108.

You may have read of people doing 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) at the time of the spring equinox, or own mala with 108 beads. Here's why the number is considered so auspicious.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/everything-to-know-about-yoga-and-the-five-elements-of-nature/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Everything to Know About Yoga and the Five Elements of Nature"}}'> Everything to Know About Yoga and the Five Elements of Nature

Here’s what you need to know to honor the elements, and connect to the healing power of earth, water, fire, air, and ether in your yoga practice.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/live-be-yoga-featured/finding-bliss-in-the-mundane/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Finding Bliss in the Mundane"}}'> Finding Bliss in the Mundane

Live Be Yoga Ambassador Cameron Allen talks about experiencing joy, or Samadhi, during some of the most basic everyday tasks of life.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/how-to-be-happy-at-every-age/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "How to Be Happy at Every Age"}}'> How to Be Happy at Every Age

Yogis and scholars explain how to cultivate happiness at every age embrace what each decade brings your way.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/video/culture-practice-yama-asteya-cultural-appropriation/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What the Yama Can Teach You About Cultural Appropriation"}}'> What the Yama Can Teach You About Cultural Appropriation

Here, teacher Rina Deshpande reveals the multi-faceted meanings of asteya (non-stealing).

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/balance-your-emotions-with-adaptogens/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Your Go-To Guide to Balance & Regulate Your Emotions"}}'> Your Go-To Guide to Balance & Regulate Your Emotions

Your emotions don't have to control you. Instead of powering through intense feelings or repressing them, try to acknowledge and deal with them head-on. This chart offers some simple guidelines to negotiate a kinder relationship with your emotions, so you can feel strong, balanced, and peaceful.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/honor-the-roots-of-yoga-2/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "How to Honor the Roots of Yoga as a Western Student"}}'> How to Honor the Roots of Yoga as a Western Student

Teachers, researchers, scholars, and activists weigh in on modern yoga and how we might practice with more integrity and respect.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/what-is-yoga-2/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What is Yoga? Understand The History Behind the Practice"}}'> What is Yoga? Understand The History Behind the Practice

A myriad of historical information exists, so let’s start with building a foundation.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/oprah-winfrey-finding-life-purpose/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What Oprah Winfrey Knows For Sure About Finding Your Life Purpose"}}'> What Oprah Winfrey Knows For Sure About Finding Your Life Purpose

Oprah Winfrey believes that living for yourself is honorable not selfish. In her new book, The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose, she shares what she’s learned about setting meaningful intentions, finding your flow, and embodying your most authentic self.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/yoga-cultural-appropriation-appreciation/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What’s the Difference Between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation?"}}'> What’s the Difference Between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation?

A first-generation Indian-American yoga and mindfulness researcher and teacher reflects on what feels misrepresented and appropriative to her in modern yoga.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/meditation-books-for-contemplation/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "3 Books to Inspire You on Your Contemplative Path"}}'> 3 Books to Inspire You on Your Contemplative Path

The written word can be a powerful tool for cultivating better mindfulness habits. Here, Kate Green Tripp of 1440 Multiversity shares three books that helped her get quiet, get centered, and accept love in her life when she needed it most.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/enlightenment-elusive/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Think Enlightenment Is Elusive? This Is Why It Isn’t as Far Off as You May Believe"}}'> Think Enlightenment Is Elusive? This Is Why It Isn’t as Far Off as You May Believe

Yoga is a process of spiritual evolution and growth.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/what-is-qi-gong/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "What is Qi Gong? (And How You Can Start Practicing Today)"}}'> What is Qi Gong? (And How You Can Start Practicing Today)

The guiding principle of Qi Gong is the coordination of the eyes with the body movements.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/how-to-channel-durga-during-challenging-times/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "How to Channel Durga During Challenging Times"}}'> How to Channel Durga During Challenging Times

This legendary goddess can help empower your aspirations and call forth the leader within.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/jessamyn-stanley-moving-beyond-body-positivity/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Jessamyn Stanley on Moving Beyond Body Positivity"}}'> Jessamyn Stanley on Moving Beyond Body Positivity

Jessamyn Stanley is so over white-centric, consumer-driven yoga. Armed with a powerful social platform, and a whole lot of attitude, this yoga teacher and New Age thought leader has declared to the world that anybody can practice yoga. And she’s not afraid to show us how it’s done.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/what-you-can-learn-from-taking-a-break-from-yoga/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "3 Things I Learned After Taking a Break from My Yoga Practice"}}'> 3 Things I Learned After Taking a Break from My Yoga Practice

Rather than feeling guilty for not rolling out her mat every day, one writer embraced her hiatus from yoga—and it transformed her practice forever.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/ways-to-put-the-niyamas-into-practice-right-now/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "5 Ways to Put the Niyama Into Practice Right Now"}}'> 5 Ways to Put the Niyama Into Practice Right Now

The moral and ethical principles that are the foundation of yoga practice—the yama (social restraints) and niyama (self-disciplines)—are especially important to think about this time of year. Here’s what you need to know about the niyama, and how to put them into practice.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/embrace-the-yoga-sutras-in-a-totally-new-way-with-these-visual-meditation-practices/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Embrace the Yoga Sutras in a Totally New Way With These Visual Meditation Practices"}}'> Embrace the Yoga Sutras in a Totally New Way With These Visual Meditation Practices

Ignite your imagination and use all of your senses as a path to the divine with one yogi-artist’s visual interpretations of three Yoga Sutras

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/ahimsa-in-action-post-election/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Ahimsa in Action During the Election Season"}}'> Ahimsa in Action During the Election Season

Our current political climate may feel more polarizing and un-yogic than ever, but there is a way to hold love in your heart for those you disagree with the most. Here’s how.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/live-be-yoga-archive/stewart-gilchrist-london-yoga-teacher-advanced-classes/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Live Be Yoga: Finally, a Yoga Teacher Explains How Double-Dip Chaturangas Lead to Liberation"}}'> Live Be Yoga: Finally, a Yoga Teacher Explains How Double-Dip Chaturangas Lead to Liberation

It seems paradoxical to preach philosophy over fitness before prescribing a boot camp-style class, but Stewart Gilchrist reveals why yoga needs both in its approach.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/sanskrit/sanskrit-101-4-reasons-studying-it-is-worth-your-time/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Sanskrit 101: 4 Reasons Why Studying This Ancient Language Is Worth Your Time"}}'> Sanskrit 101: 4 Reasons Why Studying This Ancient Language Is Worth Your Time

When it comes to Sanskrit, there are at least two camps of yogis—those who use it and those who don’t. Here’s why we’re with the traditionalists on this one.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/sutra-3-1-dharana/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "The Yogic Prescription for Embracing Sadness"}}'> The Yogic Prescription for Embracing Sadness

Sadness and turmoil are universal. Learn how practicing deep concentration during tough times can lift the emotional burden.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/im-a-federal-inmate-this-is-how-yoga-philosophy-is-helping-me-navigate-my-future/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "I’m a Federal Inmate: This Is How Yoga Philosophy Is Helping Me Navigate My Future"}}'> I’m a Federal Inmate: This Is How Yoga Philosophy Is Helping Me Navigate My Future

Neal Goyal was riding on a wave of success after starting his own hedge fund at 24—until his lies caused investors to lose $10 million. Now in prison, he explains how the Purusharthas, or the four aims of life, are helping him make sense of his crime.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/decoding-sutra-1-15-dispassion-is-the-conscious-mastery-of-desire/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Decoding Sutra 1.15: Dispassion is the ‘Conscious Mastery of Desire’"}}'> Decoding Sutra 1.15: Dispassion is the ‘Conscious Mastery of Desire’

Learn how to master your desires and tap into creative forces through Tantric philosophy.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/decoding-sutra-3-30-how-concentrating-on-the-navel-encourages-body-awareness/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Decoding Sutra 3.30: How Concentrating on the Navel Encourages Body Awareness"}}'> Decoding Sutra 3.30: How Concentrating on the Navel Encourages Body Awareness

In this sutra, the power or practice Patanjali describes is “samyama on the navel.” This concentrated meditation on your midsection opens the door to a vital understanding of your body’s constituent parts and subtle-energy channels (nadis).

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/decodes-sutra-2-11-obstacles-can-be-overcome-through-meditation/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Decoding Sutra 2.11: Obstacles Can Be Overcome Through Meditation"}}'> Decoding Sutra 2.11: Obstacles Can Be Overcome Through Meditation

While experiencing the near-death of his wife, Aadil Palkhivala channeled meditation to release ignorance, ego, and attachment.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/kriya-yoga-internal-activism-ishvara-pranidhana/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "The Yoga Practices You Need to Get in Touch with Your Feelings"}}'> The Yoga Practices You Need to Get in Touch with Your Feelings

In part 6 of this kriya yoga series, yoga teacher Laura Riley offers simple practices for surrendering to love—in order to feel everything else.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/kriya-yoga-internal-activism-tapas-change/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "This Is How Tapas Can Help You Face Change Fearlessly—Like a Yogi"}}'> This Is How Tapas Can Help You Face Change Fearlessly—Like a Yogi

There’s no denying it: change is scary. In part 5 of this kriya yoga series, yoga teacher Laura Riley shares a 5-step process for using tapas to embrace the inevitable for internal growth.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/balance/parenting-motherhood/the-gift-of-i-dont-know-how-mary-beth-larue-is-embracing-uncertainty/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "The Gift of “I Don’t Know”: How Mary Beth LaRue Is Embracing Life’s Uncertainties"}}'> The Gift of “I Don’t Know”: How Mary Beth LaRue Is Embracing Life’s Uncertainties

Becoming a parent involves all kinds of big decisions and questions. Sometimes "I don't know" is the guiding answer.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/yoga-sutras/decoding-sutra-2-16-prevent-future-pain-from-manifesting/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Decoding Sutra 2.16: Prevent Future Pain from Manifesting"}}'> Decoding Sutra 2.16: Prevent Future Pain from Manifesting

With this sutra, Patanjali teaches that yoga practice is preventive medicine for our minds—a way to keep future pain and suffering from manifesting.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/travel/4-travel-destinations-deep-yoga-lessons/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "4 Travel Destinations Unexpectedly Packing Deep Yogic Lessons"}}'> 4 Travel Destinations Unexpectedly Packing Deep Yogic Lessons

When it comes to planning a yoga vacation, most of us think retreats in the tropics or taking the ultimate pilgrimage to India. Yet there are so many other destinations that can inspire a deeper understanding this ancient practice. Here, YJ contributors share their experiences in some far-off places that have transformed their practices and their lives.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/3-ways-to-harness-your-power-show-up-on-the-mat/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "3 Ways to Harness Your Power & Show Up on the Mat"}}'> 3 Ways to Harness Your Power & Show Up on the Mat

Baron Baptiste calls every moment a fresh chance to tackle resistance in mind, body and spirit. Here, three simple tips to revolutionize your attitude in your practice.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/6-wise-new-years-intentions/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Still Need a New Year’s Intention? Here Are 6 Wise Ones Worth Setting Today"}}'> Still Need a New Year’s Intention? Here Are 6 Wise Ones Worth Setting Today

Meditation Studio co-founder Patricia Karpas shares some of the best wisdom offered on her Untangle podcast.

>", "path": "https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/the-power-of-play-baron-baptiste-3-tips-for-practicing-santosha/", "listing_type": "category", "location": "list", "title": "Try These 3 Tips for Accepting the Here & Now for a Week, See What Happens"}}'> Try These 3 Tips for Accepting the Here & Now for a Week, See What Happens

Want to disrupt complacency or overdrive in your practice or your life? Baron Baptiste offers advice for embracing santosha that can be revolutionary.

Essay on Yoga for Students and Children

Yoga is an ancient art that connects the mind and body. It is an exercise that we perform by balancing the elements of our bodies. In addition, it helps us meditate and relax.

Moreover, yoga helps us keep control of our bodies as well as mind. It is a great channel for releasing our stress and anxiety . Yoga gained popularity gradually and is now spread in all regions of the world. It unites people in harmony and peace.

Origin of Yoga

Yoga essentially originated in the subcontinent of India. It has been around since ancient times and was performed by yogis. The term yoga has been derived from a Sanskrit word which translates to basically union and discipline.

In the earlier days, the followers of Hinduism , Buddhism, and Jainism practiced it. Slowly, it found its way in Western countries. Ever since people from all over the world perform yoga to relax their minds and keep their bodies fit.

Furthermore, after this popularity of yoga, India became known for yoga worldwide. People all over the world have started to realize the benefits of yoga. Several workshops are held and now there are even professional yogis who teach this ancient practice to people so they can learn about it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has numerous benefits if we look at it closely. You will get relief when you practice it regularly. As it keeps away the ailments from our mind and body. In addition, when we practice several asanas and postures, it strengthens our body and gives us a feeling of well-being and healthiness.

Furthermore, yoga helps in sharpening our mind and improving our intelligence . We can achieve a higher level of concentration through yoga and also learn how to steady our emotions. It connects us to nature like never before and enhances our social well-being.

In addition, you can develop self-discipline and self-awareness from yoga if practiced regularly. You will gain a sense of power once you do it consistently and help you lead a healthy life free from any problems. Anyone can practice yoga no matter what your age is or whichever religion you follow.

21st of June is celebrated as International Day of Yoga where people are made aware of the benefits of yoga. Yoga is a great gift to mankind which helps us keep better and maintain our health. You also develop a higher patience level when you practice yoga which also helps in keeping the negative thoughts away. You get great mental clarity and better understanding.

In short, yoga has several benefits. Everyone must practice it to keep their health maintained and also benefit from it. It is the secret to living a healthy and long life without the use of any artificial means like medicines or any other shortcuts of any kind.

FAQs on Yoga

Q.1 Write about the origin of Yoga.

A.1 If we look at the history, we see that Yoga originated in India. This ancient practice began when various yogis started performing yoga. Yoga translates to union and discipline and is derived from the Sanskrit language. The religious followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism used to practice it in the earlier days.

Q.2 What are the benefits of Yoga?

A.2 Yoga has not one but many benefits. It helps in keeping our mental and physical health intact. It helps us to connect to nature. Furthermore, your body becomes more flexible after consistent yoga practice and you also develop a great sense of self-discipline and self-awareness. In short, it improves our well-being and gives us better mental clarity.

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• Essay On Yoga

Essay on Yoga

500+ words essay on yoga.

Yoga is an Art and Science of healthy living. It is a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. The holistic approach of Yoga brings harmony to all walks of life. Yoga is also known for disease prevention, promotion of health and management of many lifestyle-related disorders. Through this Essay on Yoga, students will get to know the importance and benefits of performing yoga. By going through this essay , students will get different ideas on how to write an effective Essay on Yoga in English to score full marks in the writing section.

Meaning of Yoga

The word yoga literally means “to yoke” or “union”. More than just a practice of physical exercises, Yoga is the coming together of the individual self or consciousness, with the infinite universal consciousness or spirit. Yoga is a method of inquiry into the nature of the mind, which emphasises practice and direct experience. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonising system for development of the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga signifies the ‘integration of personality at the highest level. It includes various practices and techniques mentioned in the yogic literature and is collectively referred to as ‘Yoga’.

Importance of Yoga

Yoga encourages a positive and healthy lifestyle for the physical, mental and emotional health of children. Yoga helps in the development of strength, stamina, endurance and high energy at the physical level. It also empowers oneself with increased concentration, calm, peace and contentment at a mental level leading to inner and outer harmony. With the help of yoga, you can manage daily stress and its consequences.

Yoga brings stability to the body and the wavering mind. It increases the lubrication of joints, ligaments, and tendons of the body. Studies in the field of medicine suggest that Yoga is the only form of physical activity that provides complete conditioning to the body because it massages all the internal organs and glands. It reduces the risk of many diseases. Yoga can create a permanently positive difference in the lifestyle of anybody practising it on a regular basis.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is a perfect way to ensure overall health and physical fitness. The physical building blocks of yoga are posture (asana) and breath. Through meditation, and breathing exercises (called pranayama), you can banish all your stress and lead a healthy life. In fact, it is one of the best remedies known to humankind, for curing chronic ailments that are otherwise difficult to be cured by other medications. People suffering from backaches and arthritis are often suggested to do asanas that concentrate on the exercise of the muscles at strategic locations. Pranayamas are the best breathing exercises to increase the capacity of the lungs.

A series of poses held in time with breathing, helps every part of the body. Yoga increases strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. It increases the ability to perform activities, provides more energy and gives a restful sleep. Performing yoga daily helps in building muscular strength. The different asanas make the body more flexible. Moreover, yoga prevents cartilage and joint breakdown, increases blood flow, and lowers blood sugar. The most important benefit of yoga are its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality. Yoga works as an immunity booster and gives peace of mind.

The amazing thing about Yoga is that its positive effects on the health and mind are visible over time. Another speciality about Yoga is its wide choice of asanas. Depending upon your stamina and overall health, you can choose from mild pranayamas and asanas to high-intensity asanas. It is a medication without the actual use of medicines. Moreover, no visible side effects are associated with the practice of Yoga on a regular basis. All you need to know is the most appropriate asanas according to the ability and structure of your body. Also, you need to learn the right way of performing the asanas because any wrong attempt can cause sprains and injuries.

Yoga practice is safe and can bring many health benefits to practitioners. The beauty of Yoga is that it can be practised by anyone. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what shape you are in. Yoga increases an individual’s physical coordination and promotes better posture. It helps stimulate the circulatory system, the digestive process as well as the nervous and endocrine systems. Yoga is dynamite to make you feel younger, refreshed and energetic.

Yoga is the perfect example of holistic health because of its combination of mind and body. It has become more popular than ever, with celebrities, politicians, business people, and people from every walk of life currently practising. Yoga is a multidisciplinary tool extremely useful to purify the mind and body and gain control over our minds and emotions. It is the most popular means for self-transformation and physical well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essay on Yoga

Why is yoga important.

Regular Yoga practice can help in body relaxation and flexibility. Relieves chronic stress and releases mental distress.

What are the benefits of Yoga?

Yoga makes the body flexible and improves breathing patterns. It can help build muscle strength and regulate blood flow. Practising yoga regularly thus helps keep diseases away and improves immunity

Mention a few easy Yoga poses.

Padmasana (sitting pose), tadasana (mountain pose), and balasana (Child’s pose) are three examples of yoga poses.

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