It takes dedication and discipline to establish a regular yoga practice. Understanding the concept of sraddha, mentioned in the Yoga Sutras and other classical yoga texts, can be useful as this path is forged. Sraddha is commonly translated as faith and it is a quality that is organically cultivated as sacrifices are made to create a meaningful practice.

The Obstacles To Regular Yoga Practice

The more profound benefits of yoga can only be experienced through a regular practice. Regular yoga attendance, whether it be a weekly class or a daily self-practice, requires commitment and sacrifice. No doubt the initial benefits of yoga practice creates an impetus that propels one forward, however there comes a time where the novelty factor starts to wane and the progress made starts to plateau. When this point is reached commitment is required because one is not always in a receptive and willing state. Practice sessions involve working through the basic postures in a thorough and methodical way on a consistent basis. Apart from the immediate physical and mental benefits that are often felt from moving through a well designed sequence of postures, sustained progress in yoga can be slow and take time to show. There are times even when one may even feel that progress is not being made, and that one may even be going backwards. Sacrifices need to be made because the temptation to do other things that require less focus and effort will always be there, especially in this day and age where it is easier than ever to allow ourselves to get distracted!

What Is Sraddha?

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali it is stated that ‘practice must be pursued with faith, vigour, keen memory and power of absorption to reach the aim of yoga’ (YS 1.20). The sanskrit word translated as faith is called ’sraddha’, however it has a wider connotation than the English word ‘faith’. The concept of faith can sometimes be tainted with connotations that cause its meaning to be misconstrued. In the context presented in the Yoga Sutras it does not mean blindly following without question. Certainly discernment is required. Nor is it believing in something with the expectation that some benefit will accrue. In fact, the less result-oriented one is, the more one is able to experience sraddha. To some extent sraddha is about having discerning trust and confidence in oneself and the process being undertaken, without expectations of results or benefits. 

How Can Sraddha Help?

In another classical yoga text sraddha is said to sustain a yogi 'like a loving mother’, and leads the practitioner in the right direction. It is a quality which relates more to the heart than to rationale, can be felt but not necessarily defined, and leads to other virtuous qualities such as enthusiasm, courage, and competency. It is a quality that cannot be forced upon oneself through any logical thinking, but if the space is created through application to practice and a quietening of the mind, it can arise internally and provide a wellspring of spiritual nourishment.  

Sraddha is both an essential ingredient in generating a regular yoga practice, and also a consequence of regular practice. If one is able to tap into this metaphysical quality it can create a snowball effect that both feeds, and generates the potency of, a committed yoga practice.

If you’re interested in learning more about the philosophy that underpins Iyengar yoga practice click here.

James Hasemer

James Hasemer is the Founder and Director of Central Yoga School and a Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Assessor, and Moderator. He is also currently a Teacher Director on the Iyengar Yoga Australia Board

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References

[1] Light On Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali BKS Iyengar

[2] Yoga Philosophy Of Patanjali Hariharananda Aranya