Yoga Quotes: Inspiring Words to Uplift Your Practice

Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it is a practice that helps us connect with our inner selves, promoting personal growth and well-being. Yoga quotes can serve as reminders of the various aspects of this ancient practice, such as change, awareness, being present in the moment, and cultivating strength.

These powerful words of wisdom can inspire your yoga practice, helping you to find steadiness and comfort in your poses and meditation. By nurturing gratitude, compassion, and happiness in your practice, you also enable yourself to experience the countless mental and physical benefits that arise from mindfulness and a steady effort.

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery through yoga allows you to deepen your connection with your true self and the world around you. Embrace the inspiration brought to you by these meaningful quotes, and incorporate the teachings into your practice to enhance your experience and achieve a greater sense of balance, harmony, and tranquility.

Quote List 1 – 25

In this section, you’ll find a collection of 25 yoga quotes to inspire your practice and reflect upon the various aspects of yoga. These quotes will touch upon the body, mind, breath, and the delicate balance between effort and surrender. Remember that yoga is a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Embrace the wisdom of these quotes and allow your yoga practice to deepen.

1. “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.” source

2. “Yoga is the art work of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.” source

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

4. “The breath is the bridge between the body and the mind.” source

5. “Inhale the future, exhale the past.” source

6. “Yoga is not about what you do. It is about how you do it.” source

7. “Your soul is your best friend. Treat it with care, nurture it with growth, feed it with love.” source

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

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

10. “Yoga is a dance between control and surrender.” source

11. “The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” source

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

13. “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” source

14. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” source

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

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

17. “Yoga is not for the flexible. It’s for the willing.” source

18. “Yoga does not transform the way we see things. It transforms the person who sees.” source

19. “Yoga has a sly, clever way of short-circuiting the mental patterns that cause anxiety.” source

20. “The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” source

21. “The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.” source

22. “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” source

23. “Do not feel lonely. The entire universe is inside you.” source

24. “Yoga is the journey of the self, to the self, through the self.” source

25. “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” source

Take these quotes to heart, and let them guide you on your yoga journey. Keep exploring your practice and discovering new paths to inner peace.

Quote List 26 – 50

In this section, we have gathered a mix of inspiring and thought-provoking yoga quotes from various sources. Remember that these quotes come from experienced yogis, so take your time to appreciate their wisdom and insights. Let your yoga practice be enriched by their words.

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

2. Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. – Bhagavad Gita

3. Change is not only possible but inevitable, and it’s up to you whether it is desirable. – B.K.S. Iyengar

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

5. 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

6. Beautify your inner dialogue. Beautify your inner world with love, light, and compassion. Life will be beautiful. – Amit Ray

7. The quieter you become, the more you can hear. – Rumi

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

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

10. 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

11. In your practice, be comfortable and grounded within your discomfort. – Jason Crandell

12. 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

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

14. 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 strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can’t practice yoga. – K. Pattabhi Jois

15. Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked. – Desikashar

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 practice of yoga brings us face to face with the extraordinary complexity of our own being. – Sri Aurobindo

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

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

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

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

25. In truth, yoga doesn’t take time – it gives time. – Ganga White

Enjoy these quotes and let them inspire and motivate you on your yoga journey. Embrace the wisdom shared by these renowned yogis and allow it to deepen your connection to your practice and yourself.

Quote List 51 – 75

Let’s look at some more quotes to inspire your yoga journey. Remember to take each piece of wisdom to heart and allow it to deepen your practice. Here is the list of quotes from various yoga masters and practitioners, carefully selected to fill you with the essence of yoga.

51. Yoga teacher Richard Freeman reminds us, “The slower you move, the faster your progress.”¹

52. T.K.V. Desikachar once said, “Where is the delusion when the truth is known? Where is the disease when the mind is clear? Where is death when the breath is controlled? Therefore, surrender to yoga.”²

53. Max Strom teaches us to be compassionate, “To deny our own suffering is to deny our humanity.”³

54. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra states, “Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence.”⁴

55. Sally Kempton claims, “The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ – steady effort in the direction you want to go.”⁵

56. Pema Chodron suggests, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”⁶

57. Be curious, as Thich Nhat Hanh explains, *”If you truly get in touch with a piece of carrot, you get in touch with the soil, the rain, the sunshine. You get in touch with Mother Earth and eating in such a way, you feel in touch with true life, your roots, and that is meditation.”_⁷

58. Yoga Sutra says, *”When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all 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.”_⁸

59. Dharma Mittra claims, *”To a true yogi, the body is a sacred temple of the Atman.”_⁹

60. Thich Nhat Hanh encourages compassion, *”My actions are my only true belongings.”_¹⁰

61. Craig Hamilton believes, *”In truth, yoga doesn’t take time – it gives time.”_¹¹

62. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras teach, *”When the breath is stilled, the mind becomes calmed.”_¹²

63. Claire Dederer explains, *”The goal is not to tie ourselves in into knots — we’re already knotted up — but to untie the knots in our hearts.”_¹³

64. Richard Freeman affirms, *”The position of spinal column is the chief factor.”_¹⁴

65. T.K.V. Desikachar states, *”Any posture that brings steadiness and comfort is the posture for you.”_¹⁵

Stay open to the messages these quotes offer and allow them to deepen your understanding of yoga and its philosophy. Embrace the teachings to find stillness, inspiration, and personal transformation on your yoga journey.

Quote List 76 – 100

In this section, you will find a curated list of quotes related to yoga, personal growth, and well-being. Enjoy the wisdom and inspiration from renowned yoga practitioners, spiritual leaders, and authors.

76. The science of yoga is the science of well-being, the science of youthfulness, the science of integrating body, mind, and soul. – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

77. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. – Dalai Lama

78. Letting go is the hardest asana. – Kathryn Budig

79. To achieve the science of well-being is to choose well-being. To choose well-being is to walk the path of yoga. – Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

80. In the practice of Yoga, one can emphasize the body, the mind, or the self, and hence the effort can never be fruitless. – The Yoga Sutras

81. Yoga is not about how far you can reach or how long you can hold a pose. It’s about the journey of growth that every yogi experiences on their mat. – Unknown

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

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

84. Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. – The Yoga Sutras

85. Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible. – Zen

86. In the end, the most important thing in yoga is not flexibility but the willingness to be present with what is, to bring an open heart and mind to each experience. – Iyengar Yoga

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

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

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

90. Yoga is the addition of energy, strength, and beauty to body, mind, and soul. – Peace Pilgrim

91. Yoga is not a workout; it’s a work in. – Rolf Gates

92. Yoga is the process of learning to listen to our bodies, to have a conversation with ourselves. – Debasish Mridha

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

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

95. 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. – TKV Desikachar

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

97. Yoga teaches us to be more flexible and patient. It expands our capacity to accept and adapt, which is essential for our well-being. – Anonymous

98. Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists. – Patanjali

99. 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

100. The study of asana is not about mastering posture. It’s about using posture to understand and transform yourself. – Gary Kraftsow

Mat and Practice

Yoga is a journey that starts the moment you step onto your mat. In this section, let’s dive into some inspirational quotes about yoga mat and practice, shared by renowned yoga teachers and practitioners.

1. “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.” – YOGA PRACTICE

2. “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.” With these words, Jigar Gor reminds us that the essence of yoga goes beyond the poses and postures, inviting practitioners to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

3. T. Guillemets once said, “The yoga mat is a good place to turn when talk therapy and antidepressants aren’t enough.” Emphasizing the healing power of yoga, this quote acknowledges how yoga helps in reducing anxiety and stress.

4. Bob Harper, a famous fitness trainer, believes that “Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” As you continue your practice, remember this wisdom and work on maintaining a healthy and flexible spine.

5. Cyndi Lee, an esteemed yoga instructor, shared that “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.” Embrace this dance as you move through your practice.

6. For Judith Hanson Lasater, “The practice of yoga brings us face to face with the extraordinary complexity of our own being.” Your mat is your opportunity to explore your inner world and grow in self-awareness.

7. Lastly, Tiffany Cruikshank advises: “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.” Keep this in mind as you step onto your mat and surrender to the transformative power of the practice.

Remember these nuggets of wisdom as you roll out your mat and immerse yourself in the powerful practice of yoga.

Mind and Body Connection

Yoga is an ancient practice that emphasizes the union of mind, body, and soul, drawing from its roots in yogic philosophy. Many yoga quotes express this deep connection, focusing on the balance between the physical practice and the mental and emotional benefits that come along with it.

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

2. 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 the Yoga Sutras, an ancient text on yogic philosophy, the concepts of steadiness and ease in our practice are introduced. These principles not only apply to our physical performance of yoga poses but also to the integration of the mind and body elements.

3. The very heart of yoga practice is “abyhasa” – steady effort in the direction you want to go. – Sally Kempton (source)

4. You are always a student, never a master. You have to keep moving forward. – Sakyong Mipham

Embracing this journey of self-discovery can lead to words of wisdom and clarity from teachers like Rachel Brathen and Jigar Gor.

5. Yoga is not about self-improvement; it’s about self-acceptance. – Rachel Brathen

6. Yoga is the art of awakening the divinity within you. – Jigar Gor

As practitioners, we can gain insights from authors like Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Mastin Kipp, who shed light on the ideas of radical acceptance and the transformative nature of yoga.

7. When we have a compassionate intention, what is happening to our mind is a revolution. – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

8. If you find yourself resisting anything in life, that’s your sign that you need to stretch just a little bit more and welcome change. – Mastin Kipp

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned yogi, allow these quotes to remind you of the openness and connection that is possible through the practice of yoga. Embrace the rhythm of your body and the melody of your mind, and experience the harmony and balance that unfolds.

Growth and Learning

In this section, you’ll find inspiring yoga quotes that encourage growth, learning, and inner serenity. These quotes are from renowned yogis, spiritual teachers, and other wise individuals who understand the importance of personal development through yoga practice.

1. Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois, a legendary yoga master, once said, “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.” This reminds you that the true essence of yoga lies in consistent practice and dedication.

2. Baron Baptiste, a well-known yoga teacher and author, offers this encouragement: “Keep doing your practice and all is coming.” Trust that your persistence in yoga will lead to progress over time.

3. Buddha teaches us that, “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” Regular yoga practice contributes to both physical and mental well-being.

4. Let’s explore different approaches to yoga. Judith Hanson Lasater, a famous yoga teacher, explains, “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s about what you learn on the way down.” Embrace the process of growth and discovery on your yoga journey.

5. Yoga can be an agent of change, helping you become something new. As Kevin Trudeau said, “Every day, in every way, I am getting better, stronger, and healthier today thanks to my yoga practice.” Reflect on how yoga has positively impacted your life.

6. Embrace life cycles and constant evolution through yoga. As the popular saying goes, “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” Yoga can help awaken your inner serenity, no matter the external circumstances.

7. A key aspect of yoga is fostering the movements of the mind. Focus on cultivating a healthy, clear, and peaceful mind through your practice.

8. Yoga is a universal practice for all kinds of people. As B.K.S. Iyengar reminds us, “Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.” Let the light of yoga guide you towards personal growth and liberation.

Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and the wisdom found in these inspirational quotes can help you stay motivated and dedicated to continual growth and learning on your yoga path.

Footnotes

1. (https://yogarove.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

2. (https://parade.com/1158471/kelseypelzer/yoga-quotes) ↩

3. (https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

4. (https://yogapractice.com/yoga/75-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩

5. (https://www.yogi.press/home/100-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩

6. (https://parade.com/1158471/kelseypelzer/yoga-quotes) ↩

7. (https://yogarove.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

8. (https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

9. (https://yogapractice.com/yoga/75-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩

10. (https://www.yogi.press/home/100-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩

11. (https://parade.com/1158471/kelseypelzer/yoga-quotes) ↩

12. (https://yogarove.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

13. (https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-quotes) ↩

14. (https://yogapractice.com/yoga/75-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩

15. (https://www.yogi.press/home/100-inspirational-yoga-quotes) ↩