“Atha yoganusasanam.” YS 1.1 “Now begins the instruction on Yoga, as laid down by the sages and to be followed by all.” In Sanskrit, to start a sentence with “Atha” or “now” is very auspicious. In this very first sutra it’s like Patanjali is saying “Hey you, yes you, now your learning begins. Your learning will develop by following the instructions of the sages.” By following Patanjali’s instructions we are also asked to engage in “parampara” or transmission of knowledge passed in unbroken...
