Exploring the Sutras: Sutra 1.2 and the Stillness Within

“Yogash chitta vritti nirodhah” — Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.

This sutra is one to return to often when life feels overwhelming or distracting. It reminds us that yoga isn’t about contorting ourselves into shapes, but about settling the busy mind.

The mind, like the Willamette River in the springtime, can run fast and muddy. But the teachings of yoga offer us tools to bring clarity and stillness: breath, movement, and presence.

At Eugene Yoga, we integrate these teachings into each class, whether it’s a slow restorative session or a strong Iyengar sequence.

As we come into awareness of the “vrittis” or mental fluctuations, we begin to reclaim the ability to choose peace. We invite you to use your practice as a way to create space within yourself where stillness can rise.