Yoga is so much more than just movement or a technique to relax and de-stress. I’ve written about this before [click here]. Lately, I’ve noticed that I want to share more of this philosophy in my classes. The more I learn, the more I realise that you’re never done learning: It’s truly a lifelong study. Because I don’t just want to understand this philosophy, but also truly anchor and integrate it into my life and teaching, I decided to take an additional yoga philosophy course, which has given me new insights and small “aha” moments. In the article mentioned above, I already briefly touched on the opening verses of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras:
“Yoga begins in the now.”
“Yoga is the calming of the fluctuations of the mind.”
“And then we rest in the truth of who we really are.”
It is this third verse that brings me to the next question: who are we, really? According to Patanjali, this is the ultimate goal of yoga: to rest in the truth of who we truly are.
But who are we? Yoga philosophy also offers an answer to this. 🙂
Beyond labels and roles in daily life
If you were asked, “Who are you?”, what would you answer? You’d probably give your name, your age, and your gender. Perhaps whether you’re married or single. Your nationality. Your profession. Maybe you’d say you are a mother or father, a son or daughter, a brother or sister. You might describe the colour of your skin, your hair, or your eyes. Perhaps you’d even say, “I am a yogi.” And all of that makes sense.
From a yogic perspective, however, these are not the real answer. All of these things are called upādhi’s, or labels and designations in English. They are like stickers we place on ourselves, roles we play in daily life. Useful in today’s world, certainly, but they do not describe who we truly are. These labels can change, disappear, or be replaced by new ones. So they cannot be the essence of who you are.
Who are we according to Yoga Philosophy?
Yoga philosophy offers a simple but profound answer: who you are is only one thing and one thing alone: a soul. The philosophy also describes the nature of our soul using three Sanskrit words: Sat, Chit, and Ananda (more on these below). These words do not describe qualities we need to develop, but they describe the truth of what we already are.
Sat (eternal) — Chit (consciousness) — Ananda (blissful)
Sat means eternal. According to yogic philosophy, our soul is eternal. As the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient text that forms a foundation for yoga philosophy, teaches, there was never a time when you did not exist, and there will never be a time when you cease to exist. This is the meaning of Sat: eternal existence.
At this moment, you are embodied, or in other words, you experience life through your body. You have a body, and you have a mind. But just like all the labels you carry, you are not your body, your mind, your thoughts, or your emotions. You are the one who observes and experiences all of this. This aspect of yourself is called Chit in yoga philosophy. Chit means consciousness or awareness. It is the deep knowing:“I am here, I am experiencing this moment.” It is the realisation that you live in a body, but you are not that body. It is the realisation that you can observe your thoughts and emotions, but you are not them. Everything around you changes continuously: your body ages, your emotions come and go, and circumstances shift. But the observer remains. And that observer is you.
Chit, the awareness of who you truly are, naturally leads to Ananda, the inner bliss that is always present, even as everything around you changes. Once you truly understand that you are the observer, you may notice a joy living within you that is not dependent on circumstances or on what is happening in your life. This deep, constant joy is what yoga philosophy calls Ananda.
How can this awareness of the self help us in daily life?
If you think about it, this perspective can bring a sense of relief. If thoughts and emotions are something you experience, and the roles we play are just that, roles and designations, rather than something that defines you, there is more space to relate to them with less judgment. Many people strongly identify with their past, their thoughts and emotions, or with their roles, status, or what they do for a living. When we define ourselves in this way, it can sometimes lead to feelings of comparison, inadequacy, or the sense that we must keep chasing change or new and better things to feel good about ourselves.
Yogaphilosophy offers a different perspective: these roles and experiences come and go, and do not define who you truly are. For example, instead of thinking “I am an anxious person,” you might begin to notice “There is anxiety present.” This small shift in language can already create more space and softness. When you start to see your past, your thoughts, emotions, and even roles as experiences, rather than as your identity, it becomes easier to meet them with understanding and less self-judgment. This does not mean ignoring or suppressing what you feel, but allowing space for your experience without immediately identifying with it or defining your self-worth as a person.
Remembering who you are
The practice of yoga, the asanas (postures), the breathwork, the meditation, and the philosophy is not about changing or improving yourself. It is ultimately about remembering: peeling away layer by layer, quieting the noise, and returning to what has always been… yourself.
You are not your body. You are not your thoughts or emotions. You are not the things you own or the roles you play. You are a soul:
Sat (eternal)
Chit (consciousness)
Ananda (blissful)
Yoga is therefore not just something we do on the mat. It is a way of seeing. A way of remembering. A way to come home to yourself. I warmly invite you to experience this journey for yourself, whether in a private yoga lesson or a weekly group class in Curaçao, and discover the benefits yoga can bring. 🤍