The Three Gunas of Yoga

Apart from the physical benefits yoga brings to the body, there are other important energy states that occur within us all before, during and after practicing yoga.

These 'gunas' (which translates to strands or fibers) are woven together to form nature's 3 fundamental forces. They can tell us whether we are moving forward in life (sattva), running in place (rajas) or losing our way (tamas).

TAMAS

Tamas conceals the presence of consciousness. It causes dullness and ignorance through its power to obscure. Its nature is heavy and dense. Tamas is associated with feelings of lethargy, heaviness, and inertia. It leads to inaction when action is required. Each of us has experienced the binding power of tamas—the appeal of lethargy, procrastination, and sleep.

RAJAS

Rajas is the energy of change. It is distinguished by passion, desire, effort, and pain. Its activity may cause movement either toward sattva (increased spiritual understanding) or tamas (increased ignorance).Rajas can be described as feelings of excitement, being energised and full of activity. The flip side here is that restlessness and mental agitation accompany this state.

SATTVA

Sattva is the third quality and the ideal to attain: it equates with ‘lightness of being’. It corresponds to feeling expansiveness, joyfulness, lightness. There is a feeling of being detached and full of joy for no particular reason! It shows itself as beauty, balance, and inspiration, and it promotes life, energy, health, and contentment. Cultivating sattva—by making choices in life that elevate awareness and foster unselfish joy—is a principal goal of yoga.


Wherever your energy state lies, don't let these characteristics mislead you. They're not meant to promote self-criticism, but simply act as signposts—guides that indicate where you are and where you are inspired to be.