In the United States and much of the Western world, yoga is often viewed as a physical fitness routine, group class at the gym, stretching sequences for flexibility, or a calming way to unwind. But is that the full picture? To explore this, Katie Williams turned to ancient texts, modern scholarship, and the teachings of a traditional Swami (a Hindu spiritual teacher) during her research journey through India.Katie Williams is a travel enthusiast who studies cultures through online resources, books, travel, and documentaries.
What Is Yoga, Really?
The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” meaning to join or to unite. It refers to the union of the individual self (atma/atman) with the universal consciousness (Brahman). In India, yoga has always been more than exercise; it is a spiritual discipline aimed at self-realization.
Katie asked the Swami to define yoga in its truest sense. He replied:
“Yoga is a way of returning to your original self. The physical poses are just a small part of the process.”
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
One of the key teachings in traditional yoga comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a foundational text written over 2,000 years ago. It outlines eight limbs of yoga, known as Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with the modern yoga brand of the same name). These are:
- Yama – Ethical disciplines (e.g., non-violence, truthfulness)
- Niyama – Personal observances (e.g., self-discipline, contentment)
- Asana – Physical postures
- Pranayama – Breath control
- Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
- Dharana – Concentration
- Dhyana – Meditation
- Samadhi – Union or complete absorption
In Western practice, yoga often begins and ends at asana, the physical postures. But as the Swami emphasized to Katie Williams, asana was originally meant to prepare the body for long hours of seated meditation. It was never the final goal.
Yoga as a SpiritualPath
Katie discovered that yoga in India is a broad spiritual path. There are various types of yoga suited to different personalities and yugas (cycles of time):
- Bhakti Yoga – Devotion to the divine
- Karma Yoga – Selfless service
- Jnana Yoga – The pursuit of knowledge, or Gyan
- Raja Yoga – Mastery of the mind through meditation
Each form is deeply rooted in India’s spiritual traditions and texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.
The Western Misunderstanding
The Swami explained that while it is heartening to see people around the world adopting yoga, there is also a danger in removing it from its roots. Many Western studios treat yoga as a purely physical activity, disconnecting it from its philosophical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions. Terms like namaste or chakra are often used without understanding their origin or meaning.
Katie reflected on how this happens: in a fast-paced, market-driven society, the rich depth of yoga gets reduced to branding, trends, and social media aesthetics. While this may introduce people to yoga, the Swami stressed that true benefit comes only when one also embraces its inner work, not just the outer form.
A Matter of Respect
Understanding the true essence of yoga offers more than just better posture or stress relief. It invites a deeper connection to timeless principles like compassion, discipline, mindfulness, and self-awareness.
When practiced in its full form, yoga becomes a tool for navigating modern life with greater clarity and purpose. It offers a way to live more ethically, breathe more consciously, and act more compassionately – something the Swami emphasized repeatedly in his conversations with Katie Williams.
“Yoga isn’t about touching your toes,” she wrote, “it’s about touching your soul.”