I love an amazing yoga quote! They are profound in a comforting and inspiring way. Each one feels poetic and they have the ability to turn any day around.
I got my first tattoo a few years ago. Naturally, it is a yoga saying. ‘sthira sukham’ means ‘steady and joyful’. The words etched onto me remind me to find this balance, not only in my practice but in my life too.
That’s the beauty of yoga. The lessons and moments you experience on your mat echo into your day. This compilation of the best yoga quotes is for you to find inspiration in your yoga practice and to carry that inspiration into your life.
Keep reading to discover the best yoga sayings!
Best Yoga Quotes
Whether you’re a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, or just beginning your yogic journey - quotes about yoga can keep you feeling motivated. More than that, these sayings can become mantras and affirmations to help keep you present throughout the day. These are some of the best yoga quotes.
“The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“The yoga pose you avoid the most you need the most.” - Unknown
“Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” - Bob Harper
“Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice; to make us teachable; to open up our hearts and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” - Rolf Gates
“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“The nature of yoga is to shine the light of awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” - Jason Crandell
“Your body exists in the past and your mind exists in the future. In yoga, they come together in the present.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” - The Bhagavad Gita
“In truth, yoga doesn’t take time - it gives time.” - Ganga White
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“What we see in the world around us is just a reflection of what is inside of us.” - Sharon Gannon
Yoga Quotes On Happiness
Yoga quotes are wonderful tools to integrate into your dharma talks before leading a class. They can help encapsulate the message you’re trying to convey in one short, profound sentence. These are some of the greatest happiness yoga quotes.
“Meditation is a way for nourishing and blossoming the divinity within you.” - Amit Ray
“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
“I was looking for someone to inspire me, motivate me, support me, keep me focused… Someone who would love me, cherish me, make me happy, and I realized all along that I was looking for myself.” - Unknown
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” - Buddha
“By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.” - Patanjali
Yoga Inspirational Quotes
Inspiration is such a magical thing because it’s so often shared. It’s innate to pass on inspiring news, stories, ideas, or quotes. It feels natural to share things that inspire you to uplift the people around you. The magic of inspiration is in sharing. Keep reading for some beautifully inspirational yoga words.
“Meditation can help us embrace our worries, our fear, our anger; and that is very healing. We let our own natural capacity of healing do the work.” - Thich Nhat Hanh
“You will never influence the world by trying to be like it.” - Unknown
“When you listen to yourself, everything comes naturally. It comes from inside, like a kind of will to do something. Try to be sensitive. That is yoga.” - Petri Räisänen
“The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.” - Sakyong Mipham
“We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds.” - Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
“Yoga is invigoration in relaxation. Freedom in routine. Confidence through self-control. Energy within and energy without.” - Ymber Delecto
”Calming the mind is yoga. Not just standing on the head.” - Swami Satchidananda
“You may not be able to control the whole world, but you may learn to control your inner world through yoga.” - Debasish Mridha
“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
“Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.” - Amit Ray
Yoga Quotes About Life
Life can be overwhelming. Feeling put together one day and like the whole world is crumbling around you the next. I think we can all agree that life is a rollercoaster. Sometimes the bad days feel like they may last forever. These quotes about life are for those days as well as the good days!
“Yoga takes you into the present moment. The only place where life exists.” - Patanjali
“The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime.” - Sogyal Rinpoche
“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied.” - Aadil Palkhivala
“Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.” - Yogi Bhajan
“Yoga is not just a repetition of a few postures, it is more about the exploration and discovery of the subtle energies of life.” - Amit Ray
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” - Gautama Buddha
“If you believe in coincidence, then you aren't paying attention.” - David Life
Yoga Motivation Quotes
Motivation can be an elusive thing. Difficult to describe, tricky to understand, and tough to maintain. While it’s not necessary to find motivation every day, it is helpful to have words and tools on hand for when you may need it. Keep reading for some motivational yoga quotes.
“The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” - Yogi Bhajan
“Yoga begins with listening. When we listen, we are giving space to what is.” - Richard Freeman
“I think it’s interesting that the opposite of being active in yoga is not being passive. It’s being receptive.” - Cyndi Lee
“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” - Kathryn Budig
“True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” - Craig Hamilton
“Move your joints every day. You have to find your own tricks. Bury your mind deep in your heart, and watch the body move by itself.” - Sri Dharma Mittra
“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” - Buddha
“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” - Jason Crandell
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
Positive Yoga Quotes
The saying goes ‘positivity breeds positivity’. And while we don’t need to be happy-go-lucky 24/7, there is something in these uplifting words. These positive yoga quotes are aimed to warm your heart and give you a smile.
“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” - B.K.S. Iyengar
"Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony." - Debasish Mridha
“Yoga means addition. Addition of energy, strength, and beauty to body, mind, and soul.” - Amit Ray
“Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention.” - Kino MacGregor
“The study of asana is not about mastering posture. It's about using posture to understand and transform yourself.” - B.K.S Iyengar
“The very heart of yoga practice is ‘abyhasa’ steady effort in the direction you want to go.” - Sally Kempton
“Yoga teaches us that we can have whatever we may want in life if we are willing to provide it for others first.” - Sharon Gannon
Final Thoughts On Yogic Quotes
Someone once said, “Your words have power, use them wisely.” It is so true! So, why not surround yourself with life-affirming inspiring words. Whether you’re a beginner yogi or have been practicing for years, we could all do with a little motivation.
We all need help along the way. These words are full of compassion and insight to help you along your journey.
If you would like to practice with me, check out my yoga class schedule here.