Begin Yōga

Atha Yoga Anushasanam

Now.  Having done prior preparation through Life and other practices, let my study and practice of Yōga begin.
— Yoga Sutra 1.1

In the very first sutra of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the word “Atha” signals a profound transition point. Not just a casual “let’s begin,” but a sacred readiness—a culmination of lived experience, inner churn, and glimpses of something more.

If you’ve come to the mat, or to this page, with a whisper in your spirit that says, “It’s time”—then welcome. Yoga begins in the now, and it welcomes you exactly as you are.

Let’s ground your beginning in deep yogic wisdom.

PanchaKosha theory – 5 sheaths of being

The Taittiriya Upanishad maps the human experience into five concentric layers (koshas), each one veiling the Self:

  • Annamaya Kosha – Physical body (food sheath)
  • Pranamaya Kosha – Energy body (breath/life force)
  • Manomaya Kosha – Mental/emotional body (thoughts)
  • Vijnanamaya Kosha – Wisdom body (intuition/discernment)
  • Anandamaya Kosha – Bliss body (deep joy of the Self)

Yoga is the methodical peeling back of these layers to reconnect with the stillness beneath it all.

PanchaKleshas – 5 obstacles to awareness

According to Patanjali, our suffering and spiritual blindness stem from five root afflictions:

  • Avidya – Ignorance of our true nature
  • Asmita – Egoism or false identification with the self
  • Raga – Attachment to pleasure
  • Dvesha – Aversion to pain
  • Abhinivesha – Fear of death or clinging to life

These kleshas color every thought, emotion, and reaction, forming the lens through which we view the world. Recognizing them is the first step in dissolving their grip.

Antareya – 9 obstacles on the spiritual path

Even after beginning practice, we’ll hit blocks. Patanjali names nine common spiritual roadblocks:

  • Illness
  • Apathy
  • Doubt
  • Carelessness
  • Laziness
  • Over-indulgence
  • Delusion
  • Lack of progress
  • Instability or regression

Recognizing these obstacles helps you navigate them without self-judgment. They’re not failure—they’re the terrain of transformation.

Sahabhuva – 5 signs of the disturbed mind

 When those obstacles arise, they often come with five symptoms:

  • Dukha – Suffering or emotional pain
  • Daurmanasya – Despair or frustration
  • Angamejayatva – Restlessness of the body
  • Shvasa – Labored inhalation
  • Prashvasa – Labored exhalation

These are signs that prana (life force) and chitta (mind) are disturbed. Breath practices and meditation begin to restore harmony.

Chittabhumi – 5 states of mind

Patanjali outlines five mental landscapes or chitta bhumis:

  • Kshipta – Scattered
  • Mudha – Dull or infatuated
  • Vikshipta – Distracted
  • Ekagra – One-pointed
  • Niruddha – Mastered and stilled

Most of us oscillate between the first three. With consistent practice, we move toward Ekagra and eventually Niruddha, where true Yoga—union—unfolds.

5 Types of Vrittis – movements of the mind

The mind constantly spins in patterns. Yoga identifies five vrittis (thought waves):

  • Pramana – Right knowledge
  • Viparyaya – Wrong knowledge
  • Vikalpa – Imagination
  • Nidra – Sleep
  • Smriti – Memory

The goal isn’t to eliminate them but to observe and quiet them, so we’re no longer ruled by the noise.

Chitta Prasadanam

 Patanjali says that serenity of mind (chitta prasadanam) can be cultivated through:

  • Maitri – friendliness toward the happy
  • Karuna – compassion for the suffering
  • Mudita – joy for the virtuous
  • Upeksha – equanimity toward the wicked

These aren’t abstract ideals—they are practical tools to stay mentally clear and emotionally unshaken in daily life.

Whether you’re sitting with breath, flowing through sun salutations, or observing your reactions in daily life—you are practicing Yoga.

This tradition isn’t about flexibility or fancy poses. It’s a radical, ancient path of self-mastery, grounded awareness, and inner liberation.

The call has already sounded.
Atha—the time is now.