6 Inspiring Yoga Quotes

What keeps you going when you need a bit of extra motivation? Reading inspirational quotes is one of my absolute favourite tools in almost all aspects of my life! It reminds me that there is someone somewhere that has shared similar experiences to me, especially when it comes to yoga. I also like to be reminded yoga that  is not just a physical practice, it's a mindful journey to get to know oneself. Here are some quotes to help inspire your practice:

"Yoga is a dance between control and surrender – between pushing and letting go – and when to push and when to let go becomes part of the creative process, part of the open-ended exploration of your being.”  -Joel Kramer

Yoga is definitely a dance of the soul! Knowing when to keep trying and when to give up is an art and both take lots of courage. I suggest you read Joel Kramer’s “Yoga As Self-Transformation” that was originally published in 1980. It’ll connect you deeper to your practice.

"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 Raisanen

Petri is a well-known yoga instructor that started practicing it back in 1989. He has lots of books on yoga, as well as videos on YouTube. His videos are truly inspiring and they’re fun to watch during work breaks!

"You cannot do yoga. Yoga is your natural state. What you can do are yoga exercises, which may reveal to you where you are resisting your natural state.” -Sharon Gannon

Another pioneer yoga teacher that has many established books! Sharon is the co-founder of “Jivamukti Yoga Method”, which implies liberation while still living on earth. It takes its basic moves from traditional Hatha yoga.

"If there are always forces around which are concerned to depress and discourage, there are always forces above and around us which we can draw upon, – draw into ourselves to restore, to fill up again with strength and faith and joy and the power that perseveres and conquers. It is really a habit that one has to get of opening to these helpful forces and either passively receiving them or actively drawing upon them – for one can do either." ― Sri Aurobindo

The creator of integral yoga, Sri Aurobindo, believed that there is a chance people could live a divine life upon earth. He believed that all life is yoga!

“Yoga is not to be performed; it is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; it cares about the person you are becoming." -Aadil Palkhivala

Starting from the age of 7, Aadil started to learn asana with B.K.S Iyenger and acquired his Advanced Yoga Teacher’s certificate only at the age of 22! Instead of continuing with practicing law, he became one of the most famous yoga instructors! Inspiring, isn’t it?

"Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go — what does matter is who you are when you get there." Max Strom

Max is specialized in teaching Inner Axis yoga, which focuses on dealing with anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness. He has an inspiring Ted talk under the name “Breathe to Heal”.

We would love to hear some of your favorite quotes!

And remember to always stay inspired!