During my yoga teacher training, our lead Philosophy Teacher shared that Patanjali, who is often considered the father of yoga, barely talked about the physical postures in his Yoga Sutras. Out of the entire book, he only briefly touched on asana—the posture part of yoga—but when he did, he emphasized this one key sutra: “Sthira sukham asanam.”
Our teacher explained that Patanjali’s intention was clear: this is how asana must be practiced. It’s not about fancy poses or pushing yourself to the limit. Patanjali teaches that every posture should be both steady (sthira) and comfortable (sukha). That’s it—two words that hold profound wisdom about how we should approach yoga.
The balance between strength and ease is what makes yoga more than just a physical practice. It’s about finding that sweet spot where you’re grounded but relaxed, where effort meets surrender. Patanjali’s focus on this single aspect of asana shows how important it is to not only our practice but also how we live off the mat.
He stressed that the reason this sutra is so important is that yoga is not just about how strong or flexible we are, or how long we can hold a pose. It’s about finding balance—between effort and ease, between strength and softness, and ultimately, between mind and body.
The way we approach asana is a reflection of how we approach life. If we’re too rigid, we break. If we’re too soft, we collapse. The real magic happens when we find that middle ground where we’re both grounded and relaxed, determined but not tense. This is why Patanjali’s sutra is the guiding principle for practicing yoga—it teaches us how to balance the physical and the mental, the outer and the inner.
I remember it so clearly because it felt like more than just words—it was a guiding principle for how we move, breathe, and live on and off the mat.
At first, I didn’t fully grasp its depth. But over time, I began to appreciate the beauty of these two words: "Sthira" and "Sukha." This simple phrase translates to "the posture should be steady and comfortable," but its meaning goes beyond the physical practice.
I remember during one of our sessions, after struggling with a challenging pose, our teacher reminded us of this sutra. It wasn’t about how long I could hold the pose or how "perfect" it looked—it was about finding that sweet spot where effort met ease. That’s when it clicked for me.
The Meaning of Sthira and Sukha
In yoga, "sthira" represents steadiness or stability.
Think of a strong warrior pose or standing tall in tree pose, rooted into the earth. It’s not just about being still, but about cultivating inner strength—physically, yes, but also mentally. Sthira encourages us to be grounded, focused, and unshakeable, both on the mat and in life.
On the other hand, "sukha" brings in a sense of ease and comfort.
It’s that feeling of softness and grace when you move through a flow or sink into child’s pose. Sukha invites you to breathe deeply, to find joy in the practice, and to let go of tension. It’s a reminder that while we strive for strength, we should never forget to balance it with lightness and compassion for ourselves.
The Dance Between Sthira and Sukha
Picture this: in a balancing pose like tree pose, you need the sthira—the stability of your standing leg rooting down into the ground, strong and unwavering. But at the same time, you need the sukha—a gentle softness, maybe in your lifted leg, or even in your breath, allowing you to sway slightly and adjust as needed. It’s this dance between strength and ease that makes the practice truly transformative.
In life, too, we’re constantly balancing these forces. We need the sthira to stay strong when things get tough, but we also need the sukha to allow ourselves to relax and flow through the challenges without pushing too hard.
Reflection: Finding the Balance
As you step onto your mat, take a moment to reflect on this balance between steadiness and ease. In a challenging pose, ask yourself:
Can you find the strength to hold steady, while also allowing yourself the grace to soften? Can you maintain the sthira—the focus and discipline—while also embracing the sukha—the joy and freedom of movement?
This isn't just about how we practice yoga—it's how we live. Can we show up with strength and stability, but also with softness and kindness, especially towards ourselves? Can we be both the mountain and the river—unmoving and flowing, strong and soft?
In each practice, let Patanjali's wisdom guide you. "Sthira sukham asanam"—let your posture be steady and comfortable. Let your life be a dance between strength and ease, effort and surrender.
And maybe, just maybe, you'll find that perfect balance—on the mat and in everything else.
Love
Sumit
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