Do you know those moments when an emotion suddenly takes over everything?
A brief thought, a memory, an encounter, a sound, a scent — and suddenly anger, fear, or sadness feel so strong, as if they were the whole truth about the situation.

In yoga philosophy, there is a powerful reminder: not every emotion tells the truth. This doesn’t mean we should suppress or ignore them. On the contrary — it is important to notice our emotions and give them space. They show us that something within us has been touched. At the same time, we can learn not to automatically believe that what we feel is the absolute truth about a situation.

What happens when you see yourself as the observer of your feelings?

Our emotions can be intense; they can move us and sometimes overwhelm us — but they are temporary. In yoga, the mind is often compared to an ocean. Thoughts and emotions are like waves: they arise, move, and pass away again. When we learn to observe these waves instead of being carried away by them, a valuable space opens up between stimulus and response. The Indian yoga philosopher Patanjali describes yoga as follows:

“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”

Patanjali, an Indian scholar and philosopher, around 200 BC to 400 AD

Which effect of yoga do you find most beautiful?

In yoga practice, we remind ourselves: we are not our emotions.
We are the quiet observer behind them. Emotions are allowed to be there—anger, sadness, joy, or fear—but they do not define who we are. The body also plays an important role. Emotions often show up as tension or blockages in the body. Through conscious movement, breathing, and asana practice, these tensions can often dissolve quite quickly.

Often, the emotional story we tell ourselves about a situation begins to change as well. Yoga invites us to meet our emotions with awareness: to feel them, give them space, and at the same time take a step back internally. This creates a sense of calm—and the experience that emotions can come and go without controlling us. Perhaps this is one of the most beautiful effects of yoga:

We learn to become aware of our emotions — without believing everything they tell us.

Namaste,
Karin