Sutra 1.1 - the feminine version

The first yoga sutra by Patanjali.

Sutra 1.1

Now yoga begins.

Most translations of the sutras are made by men. But there is one book that translates the sutras in a more feminine way; The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi - a woman’s guide to the heart and spirit of the sutras

The more feminine version of the first sutra is:

With an open heart and mind, we embrace the sacred study of yoga.

Simple and beautiful. 

The word sutra means thread. Sutras are often brief and their meanings lies in layers. As Sharon Gannon and David Life wrote in their book Jivamukti Yoga; “But the Yoga Sutras will not tell you in words the meaning of life. All mystical writing is like musical notation: if you read the music and play it, you will experience the music.”

When you practice yoga, you will experience it. When you practice the different layers of yoga you will have an experience of yoga.

As Nischala Joy Devi put it so beautifully; "The yoga sutras are like pearls of wisdom strung together to form the teachings of yoga." The sutras were compiled by the great sage Sri Patanjali, and it is thought that he lived at least 2,500 years ago.

The yoga sutras are written in a way that allows us to interpret them and relate them to our particular situation and life. 

As a women in my fifties I prefer the more feminine version of the sutras. To me they are more relatable because of their more intuitive, feminine and nourishing point of view. It brings me a feeling of warmth and unity. 

If you are interested to dip your toes into the yoga sutras I would recommend:

The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi - a woman’s guide to the heart and spirit of the sutras

“Seek not to learn the sutras, instead seek to learn who is the one who studies the scriptures.” Nischala Joy Devi