Online YTT and the Wisdom of the Upanishads: Exploring the Isha Upanishad
The Upanishads sit at the core of the Yogic tradition. They offer simple, direct teachings that guide us toward truth and presence. Because these texts are so essential, we include them in all of our online YTT programs. Many students use online YTT to deepen their practice, and experience often becomes their greatest teacher. I continue to feel grateful for my teachers and for the wisdom they shared. Their guidance still shapes how I practice, teach, and live Yoga through breath, body, and mind.
As I grow in my own journey, I return often to the Upanishads,. They feel like a source of sweetness and clarity. The Breath of the Eternal, in particular, reminds me to come back to the heart of Yoga and to the truth that rests within every one of us.
Why the Upanishads Matter in Online YTT
Many students enter online YTT to understand yoga philosophy with more depth. The Upanishads help them build a strong foundation. I am currently co-leading a 500-hour online YTT, and during our off weeks, I offer the group short, inspirational podcast episodes. Each one includes a reading from the Upanishads and a simple message to guide reflection. This week is our first session, so we are beginning with the Isha Upanishad. It appears first in the collection by Frederick Manchester and Swami Prabhavananda.
The Isha Upanishad: Balance and the Gunas
The Isha Upanishad opens with a truth that many of us feel in our daily lives: we often swing between extremes. These extremes come from the Gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. As humans, we long for connection with the divine. We try to reach it through the body, the mind, the emotions, and the subtle layers of experience. However, the text reminds us that real harmony comes from balance.
In Yoga philosophy, Lord Shiva represents Purusha, or pure cosmic consciousness. He is steady and unchanging. Shakti represents Prakriti, the living, creative force that moves through the Gunas. She shifts, manifests, and transforms. Shiva remains pure and balanced, while Shakti flows through motion and creation.
The Isha Upanishad encourages us to honor every part of ourselves. The body becomes a divine vessel. The mind becomes a divine tool. The heart becomes a divine gift. When we recognize this, we begin to live with more presence. As a result, daily life becomes part of our practice.
What This Means for Your Yoga Practice
One of the most powerful messages in the Isha Upanishad is simple: the magic is in the moment. As you move through an online YTT or explore these teachings at home, you can turn to this reminder often. Yoga does not happen only during formal practice. Instead, it arises in every breath, gesture, and movement.
You can bring these teachings into your daily routine in small and meaningful ways. For example:
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Begin your practice with one minute of quiet breathing.
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Notice where you lean toward extremes, such as effort or ease.
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Invite balance into movement and into stillness.
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Observe your thoughts as they rise, without judgment.
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Keep your heart open as you move through your day.
Each action becomes a form of meditation. Additionally, these choices help you embody the unity of Shiva and Shakti.
Online YTT as a Path of Study and Experience
Online YTT gives students the space to learn and the freedom to explore. You can study philosophy, anatomy, meditation, and practice at your own pace. More importantly, you can apply what you learn immediately. The Upanishads remind us that wisdom comes from lived experience. Therefore, when you blend study with personal practice, your understanding deepens.
As you move through your training, allow your experiences to shape you. Let the teachings filter through the body, the mind, and the heart. Over time, you begin to see that yoga is not separate from life. It becomes the way you live your life.
Listen to the Podcast: A Reading of the Isha Upanishad
This week’s podcast features a reading of the Isha Upanishad, along with a short message to support your practice. If you are enrolled in an online YTT—or simply curious about yoga philosophy—this reading offers a gentle place to begin.