Sutra Squad

Seth Barron
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Philosophy

Sutra Squad is a weekly study of the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali. Each week Seth Barron, Sara Page Hall, and Sally Mohr discuss a verse of the text to examine its meaning & how we can embody this wisdom on and off the yoga mat. We believe the Yoga Sūtra are for EVERYONE - and this study can be a way to gain understanding of yoga philosophy in an approachable, accessible, and embodied practice of study.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 36 Sutra 2.43 on the Third Niyama - Tapas or Heat

    This week we explore a foundational concept for many modern yoga ãsana practices and the third of the Niyamas - tapas.  The root word in Sanskrit is tap meaning to burn, make hot, shine (as the sun), or to practice austerity.  Tapas, as presented in the Niyamas, is the practice of cultivating that heat or consuming by heat, and it can also mean austerity, self-discipline, penance, intense meditation, excellence of devotion or even causing pain or trouble, distressing, and purification.  In the methodology of Baptiste Power Yoga, Tapas is one of the “Five Pillars of Baptiste Yoga” (Dristi / Ujjayi / Bandhas  / Tapas / Vinyasa).  Tapas is both the literal heat we generate in challenging vinyasa ãsana practice, and the burning desire of devotional love that draws us to deeper study and practice.  Tapas is the heat that arises from friction when we “disrupt the drift” - when we explore uncomfortable truth, challenge our assumptions and cultural entrainment, and take the challenging path of the sadhaka or spiritual seeker.  While sometimes uncomfortable, tapas is the practice of challenging ourselves to our highest self.

  2. Oct 22

    Ep. 35 Sutra 2.42 on the Second Niyama - Samtosa or Contentment

    Our journey through the limbs of yoga continues this week with the second principle of niyama - samtoṣa or contentment. The verse teaches that by contentment the flow of supreme joy is achieved.  Many modern commentaries do not expand much on this straightforward teaching, yet living in a world where we are barraged with relentless messages of how and where we should want more, be better, and strive to “achieve” it feels worthy of taking some space to consider how this yogic principle can inform our immediate lived experience here and now.  First and foremost, contentment is not complacent, and contentment is not “neutral”.  Yogic contentment does not mean we forgo our discernment - pratipaksha bhavanam - that informs what is and is not aligned to the principles of yama and niyama.  Instead it means we greet the world as it is, not as we want or wish it to be.  It means that we cultivate clarity and let go of the pernicious myth that so often starts with “I’ll be happy when…”.  Happy or sad are fleeting states, ephemeral and temporary.  The true joy of contentment is within, and inherent to our very essence.  It is like the effulgent inner light within each of us, unaffected by the worldly winds of temporary sensation.  Samtoṣa is the principle that lets us release the “not enoughness” to welcome the joyous nature of the truth, the light, the spark of divine, within each and every one of us.

  3. Oct 8

    Ep. 34 Sutra 2.40-41 on the First Niyama - Sauca or Cleanliness

    This week we climb the limbs of the path of yoga to the Niyamas, the personal practices of the yogi.  The first niyama is sauca (pronounced like “shaucha”) which translates to cleanliness or purity.  Interestingly there are two verses dedicated to this one principle, both require close examination to reveal their true meaning.  There is a literal translation that when we practice purification we develop distaste for the body, and for bodily contact with others.  The second verse literally translates that practices of sauca develop sattva, cheerfulness of mind, mastery of the senses, and fitness for yoga.  But deeper study reveals a more subtle understanding of this principle - similar to how when we detoxify our physical form we come to see how much toxic substance and energy we have been holding.  We see with new clarity, and our discernment focuses the mind toward the clarity that arises with yogic practice.  When we cultivate a cleanliness of body and mind, our tastes and preferences shift away from old self-destructive and limiting practices.  The clarity of a “clean” perspective feels illuminating and radiant, and the body and mind are fully prepared to receive the full benefits of Truth that arise with time.

  4. Oct 2

    Ep. 33 Sutra 2.39 on the Fifth Yama - Aparigraha or Non-Covetousness

    This week we study the 5th yama, aparigraha, and complete our journey through the yamas - the first limb on the 8-limbed path of Yoga.  Aparigraha is often translated as non-greed, non-covetousness. or non-possessiveness.  The verse teaches us that when we are established in this practice - also sometimes referred to as freedom from sense cravings - the meaning and purpose of our life becomes clear.  Greed arises from a scarcity mindset, a “zero-sum” or “win / lose” approach to life, firmly anchored in the material plane and deeply connected to the kleśas of raga (attraction to pleasure) and dveśa (repulsion from displeasure or pain).  We often begin a physical practice of asana from a place of wanting something we see in others - maybe a beautiful physical form, or a perfect handstand, or maybe sense of peaceful ease in another’s way of being.  When our practice deepens and we turn that attention from the external wanting to internal curiosity, a clarity arises that illuminates our individual dharma or purpose.  When we let go of grabbing for what is outside our reach we can truly receive the deep wisdom that arises from within, listen to the inner voice of our highest self, and our hands are free to receive the wisdom of the True Self.

  5. Sep 24

    Ep. 32 Sutra 2.38 on the Fourth Yama - Brahmacarya or Continence

    This week our study brings us to the fourth of the yamas, and perhaps one of the most challenging to understand for western practitioners - brahmacarya - continence, intentional direction of life force energy, and sometimes translated as celibacy.  The verse teaches that by practicing brahmacarya we will preserve our vitality and vigor.  In some lineages this does translate directly into restriction or sometimes full abstinence from sexual practices.  And if we look closely at the word brahmacarya we may come to understand its more subtle and deeper meanings.  Brahman is the Absolute, the Infinite, and sometimes a placeholder term for the vastness of the Divine.  Carya means to move with or remain with.  So another way to consider the practice of brahamacarya is to move in alignment with the Divine, or to intentionally direct our attention and vital energies to Divine purpose.  This can take many forms beyond the restriction of sexual activity, and invites us all to consider how every dynamic and aspect of our life can be brought into closer alignment to the Divine of our personal understanding.

  6. Sep 18

    Ep. 31 Sutra 2.37 On the Third Yama - Asteya or Non-Stealing

    This week we continue to explore the wisdom of the yamas with the principle of asteya or non-stealing, not taking what is not ours.  There is a literal, surface understanding of this fundamental moral principle that appears across faith traditions (i.e. in the 10 Commandments - Thou Shalt Not Steal) and is entirely a valid understanding of the verse.  Yet master Patañjali tells us more - that by being firmly established in the practice of non-stealing great gems of wealth come to the yogi.  These are not necessarily literal gems, although they do symbolize powerful forces of natural energy and purity.  These are the gems of our faith, realization of our true nature, and infinite love of the divine.

  7. Sep 10

    Ep. 30 Sutra 2.36 On the Second of the Yamas - Satya or Truth

    This week we continue our journey through the yamas to the foundational principle of Satya or truth / truthfulness.  The verse teaches that when one is firmly established in the practice of truthfulness all they say and do manifests as truth.  This can appear at the surface as an axiom of circular logic - when we have a firm foundation in Truth then all we say and do is Truth.  Deeper study of this principle instead reveals the incredibly powerful action of alignment to Truth in both the spiritual and material planes of awareness.  In the material plane the Truth is that all matter, experiences, emotions, and phenomena are changing, in flux, and temporary.  Yet in the spiritual plane the Truth is that which is unchanged and unchanging, unconditioned by place, time, and context.  One who is firmly established in the principle of Satya can hold this paradox with ease, in flow with both material and spiritual Truth.  Once we align with the practice of Satya our words and actions are inherently Truthful because they are grounded in the wisdom of Truth.  We don’t make or manifest truth, we surrender to Truth and allow it to infuse our body, mind, heart and soul.

  8. Sep 3

    Ep. 29 Sutra 2.35 On the First of the Yamas - Ahimsa or Nonviolence / Non-Harming

    This week we begin our exploration of the yamas with the first, most fundamental - the principle of ahimsa - not causing harm or nonviolence.  The verse teaches that when the yogi is firmly established in the practice of nonviolence all violence and enmity ceases in their presence.  This teaching is a profound message resonating through the ages reminding us that violence can never truly cease violence - or as said in the immortal teaching of a modern master, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

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About

Sutra Squad is a weekly study of the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali. Each week Seth Barron, Sara Page Hall, and Sally Mohr discuss a verse of the text to examine its meaning & how we can embody this wisdom on and off the yoga mat. We believe the Yoga Sūtra are for EVERYONE - and this study can be a way to gain understanding of yoga philosophy in an approachable, accessible, and embodied practice of study.

Information

  • Creator
    Seth Barron
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seth Barron

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