Have you ever found yourself in savasana wondering what even is all this for? You’re not alone. Somewhere between the to-do lists the endless scrolling and trying to make time for one proper meal a day it’s easy to lose touch with something deeper. It’s easy to disconnect.
This is were the Upanishads come in.
The Upanishads are ancient texts from India written thousands of years ago and they explore some of life’s biggest questions. Questions like Who am I? Why am I here? What’s real? The teachings of Upanishads are more than old spiritual poetry. They’re surprisingly relevant in modern life, especially for those of us trying to live with more clarity and calm.
-
Who are you really?
There is this one very famous line in the Upanishads: Tat Tvam Asi, meaning You are That. It’s an invitation to look beyond the titles and expectations. To end the never-ending chasing. According to the Upanishads your true self will not be found in your calendar or your accomplishments.
-
Presence is a practice
It constantly needs to be practiced, over and over again. The Upanishads describe Atman as the quiet steady self within. This is the part of you that doesn’t get knocked out by deadlines or bad sleep. You don’t have to look somewhere else to find it. You just need a moment of stillness. That moment is the moment every time you return to the mat.
-
Letting go (the good kind)
One of the core teachings is about non-attachment. Letting go of the need to control outcomes to be perfect. You can care deeply but you don’t have to grip it for your life. This is a practice to remind yourself about.
-
Your actions ripple outward
The Upanishads speak of dharma. Which can be explained as living in alignment with your values. That might look like speaking kindly, resting when you’re tired, showing up for someone else, or choosing more consciously in your everyday life. It all matters. Everything is connected.
-
Stillness isn’t lazy. Stillness is wise.
In a world that rewards doing, the Upanishads offer a radical message: wisdom comes from silence. That’s why we sometimes just sit or lie down, or breathe together without trying to fix anything. It’s not fancy, but it works.
You don’t need to read the Upanishads to sense their presence. They live in the pauses between the poses. The quiet after the class. Beyond the noise there’s something more.
Curious to explore more? We’ve got classes, workshops and a community that’s here for exactly that.
See you on the mat.