Living the Sutras

Book excerpt: Discover wisdom of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—the ancient text on yoga philosophy—with this “perfect guide for dipping your toe into where and how you understand the Sutras and their impact on your own life” (Book Riot) In its highest form, yoga is a practice for your body and your mind. Living the Sutras brings the wisdom of classical yoga philosophy into your life in an accessible and relevant way. The Yoga Sutras, written by the guru Patanjali over two thousand years ago, are made up of 196 aphorisms that offer potent teachings on how to deal with loss and pain, and guidance on how to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. Here, Kelly DiNardo and Amy Pearce-Hayden offer an entrée to this yoga training for the mind and spirit by introducing a sutra or group of sutras on a related theme—providing a brief commentary, and writing prompts to allow you to reflect on and apply the meaning of the sutras to your life. Living the Sutras is at once an introduction to the classical philosophy, a quick guide for students and teachers, and an active self-study that helps you to engage with yoga wisdom in a deeply personal way.