Some of the Best Yoga Quotes Out There

When I was in college, I was an English major. Which meant I was knee-deep in three, four, five novels at any given time. And their Cliff Notes.

I used to wonder: Do we only ever read someone else's words? What about our own? When do we get to share our voices?

No doubt, those thoughts came from being spread thin, switching from book to book and nearly going cross-eyed in the early hours of the morning. But I still like to think there's merit to those questions. Isn't it important to sprinkle our thoughts out into the world? Let them mingle with the work of the greats?

At the same time, though, it would be irresponsible – a true disservice – not to absorb the vast amount of information available to us. After all, taking in and appreciating the insights of others is foundational to progress and brings with it new perspectives. Something as important as fresh air. As critical to life as life itself.

That's why, as much as I love writing about yoga (and unlike my college days), I try to read as much I can get my hands too. There are no Cliff Notes to help out in a pinch. But there are a plenitude of yoga quotes to sink into. A few of my favorites lately:

“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

“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 K. Pattabhi Jois

“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.” -Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 

“Thinking goes on in your head. It is not really deep into the roots of your being; it is not your totality.”  -Osho

Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self realization. Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day to day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions.  -B.K.S. Iyengar

Namaste'.