15 Yoga Quotes About Stillness: Embracing Tranquility In Practice

yoga quotes about stillness

Yoga quotes about stillness highlight the idea that achieving inner calm doesn’t mean suppressing energy but allowing the nourishing and efficient flow of energy.

Yoga is a practice that offers numerous physical and mental benefits, including increased strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. One of the most profound aspects of yoga is stillness, which allows practitioners to quiet the mind and find greater peace and self-awareness. The following article explores some of the most thought-provoking yoga quotes about stillness and their significance in achieving a balanced and harmonious life.

These powerful quotes come from a diverse range of sources, including renowned teachers, philosophers, and people who have been touched by the practice of yoga. These words of wisdom provide valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to incorporate stillness into their daily routine, as well as seasoned practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the transformative power of stillness.

Throughout the article, readers will discover different perspectives on stillness and uncover a range of techniques and tips for cultivating this vital aspect of yoga. By exploring these quotes and reflecting on their meaning, yogis may find a greater appreciation for the beauty and power of stillness within their own lives and yoga practice. You might also be inspired by these Patañjali yoga quotes.

Inspirational Quotes About Stillness

The practice of yoga emphasizes the importance of stillness in both the mind and body. Here, we have compiled a collection of quotes from ancient yoga texts, prominent figures, and modern yoga teachers that will inspire you to embrace stillness in your yoga journey. You might also like these Mother’s Day yoga quotes.

Ancient Yoga Texts

Traditionally, yoga wisdom is passed down through ancient texts that offer valuable insights and guidance for practitioners. The following quotes highlight the significance of stillness:

  1. “Yoga is the stilling of the changing states of the mind. When that is accomplished, the seer abides in its own true nature.” – Patañjali
  2. “Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.” – Lao Tzu
  3. “To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu

Historical Gurus

Thích Nhất Hạnh
“Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.”

Stillness is a crucial aspect of yoga practice that many practitioners strive to achieve. In the midst of our busy lives, finding moments of stillness can help us reconnect with our inner selves and find balance; be inspired by these yoga figures:

  1. “I have been a seeker, and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.” – Rumi
  2. “Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” – B.K.S. Iyengar
  3. “Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.” – Thích Nhất Hạnh

Modern Yoga Teachers

Yoga quotes about stillness
The nature of yoga is to shine awareness into the darkest corners of the body

Contemporary yoga instructors continue to stress the importance of stillness in their teachings, drawing from their own experiences and interpretations. Here are some meaningful quotes on stillness from modern yoga teachers:

  1. “The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.” – Sakyong Mipham
  2. “The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy; they come when the mind is still.” – Leon Brown
  3. “On one level, life is effervescent and active. On another level, it is absolutely still. The inner stillness nourishes the outer activity.” – Sadhguru
  4. “The nature of yoga is to shine awareness into the darkest corners of the body.” – Jason Crandell
  5. “The real payoff of a yoga practice, I came to see, is not a perfect handstand or a deeper forward bend—it is the newly born self that each day steps off the yoga mat and back into life.” – Rolf Gates
Modern yoga teachers
The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness

Yoga Quotes About Patience

Stillness in yoga is not only about physical relaxation during poses like Savasana but is also about achieving a deeper mental and emotional stillness that can be carried throughout the day. This balance between inner calm and outer activity is a key component of a successful and fulfilling yoga practice:

  1. “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” – Deepak Chopra
  2. “So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.” – T.S. Eliot
  3. “Balancing in yoga and life is a reflection of our inner state. Can we dance with change? Can we fall and try again with playfulness? Do we have the focus, skill, and attunement to find the still point within it all?” – Shiva Rea
  4. “If you tell yourself you don’t want to think a certain thought, that is precisely the first thing your mind will produce! That is the nature of the human mind.” – Sadhguru

If you liked this post, you might be interested in these yoga quotes about being present. You can also check out our round-up of heart-opening yoga quotes.

This article was researched with the help of OpenAI and fact-checked and edited by our human editor.