Embracing Change with the Guidance of Yoga Philosophy

Here at OYC, we are going through a big transition: moving! It may not be far from our previous location, but it has brought up many emotions, decisions, and uncertainty. Now is, therefore, a perfect time to discuss that one thing you can count on in life: change. Change doesn’t send out a calendar invite or ask for permission—it just shows up, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Whether it’s a career shift, a relationship ending (for us, with our previous landlord), or even the simple passing of time, change is inevitable. But what does yoga philosophy have to say about this ever-present force? It turns out that the ancient yogis had quite a bit to share about how to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and wisdom. Spoiler alert: they’ve been onto something for thousands of years.

Yoga and Impermanence: A Tale as Old as Time

One core tenet of yoga philosophy is the idea of impermanence—the truth that everything in life is constantly changing. It’s a concept that comes up repeatedly in ancient teachings like the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. As acknowledged by these texts, the first truth is that nothing lasts forever. The body ages, circumstances shift, and emotions ebb and flow. In short, the only constant in life is change.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the great warrior Arjuna faces an overwhelming dilemma as he stands on the battlefield. He is caught between his duty as a warrior and his compassion for the people he must fight. Lord Krishna, his charioteer and spiritual guide, reminds him that everything in the material world is temporary—success, failure, joy, and sorrow all come and go. What matters, Krishna teaches, is how we respond to these changes.

As Swami Sivananda, one of the most respected yoga masters of the 20th century, beautifully put it:
“Life is a continuous process of change. Accept the change and adapt to it with a smile.” 

This is where non-attachment comes into play. Non-attachment (or vairagya) doesn’t mean detachment or indifference; it means understanding that we cannot control the outcome of every situation. Instead of resisting or clinging to what is fleeting, yoga teaches us to be present and adapt to whatever life throws our way.

Change in the Yoga Sutras: The Power of Practice

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, often considered the go-to guide for yoga philosophy, offers a practical approach to dealing with change. One of its most powerful ideas is the concept of abhyasa (consistent practice) combined with vairagya. This twofold path emphasizes the importance of steady, mindful effort without attachment to results. Through consistent practice, whether meditation, physical yoga (asana), or mindfulness, we become better equipped to ride the waves of change without getting knocked over by them.

Patanjali suggests that we need to develop an attitude of resilience through regular practice, while also learning to let go of the desire for specific outcomes. It’s not about controlling what happens but controlling how we react. This is yoga: finding balance in the face of instability.

Karma Yoga: Embrace the Process, Not the Outcome

Another essential teaching from the Bhagavad Gita is the idea of Karma Yoga, the yoga of selfless action. It’s a philosophy that encourages us to focus on the process and let go of attachment to the fruits of our labor. In other words, do your best, but don’t hinge your happiness on the outcome.

By practicing Karma Yoga, we can learn to embrace change by trusting in the flow of life. This doesn’t mean that we don’t plan or work hard—it means we don’t get too caught up in whether things go exactly as we envisioned. The emphasis shifts from “Did I win?” to “Did I show up fully?” It’s about embracing the journey, knowing that the destination might look different than we expect.

Change as an Opportunity for Growth

One thing yoga philosophy excels at is helping us see change as an opportunity for growth. The concept of tapas (discipline, or the heat that purifies) comes from the idea that challenges and discomfort can lead to transformation. Just like metal is forged in fire, we grow stronger and more resilient through adversity. Tapas encourages us to welcome the friction that comes with change as a necessary part of personal evolution.

Ancient yogic wisdom also speaks to the cyclical nature of change. In Ayurveda (a sister science of yoga), life is described in seasons or doshas, and each season has its own unique energy and qualities. Just as nature transitions through periods of growth, decay, and rebirth, so do we. When we align ourselves with this natural rhythm, we can begin to embrace change as a natural part of life rather than something to fear or resist.

Surrendering to the Flow: Ishvara Pranidhana

Finally, the concept of Ishvara Pranidhana—surrendering to a higher power—is another teaching from yoga philosophy that speaks to change. This principle is about trusting in something greater than ourselves, whether that’s the universe, nature, or a higher consciousness. It reminds us that we don’t always have to be in control (even though we love to think we are). Sometimes, we just need to surrender to the flow of life.

Surrender in this sense isn’t passive; it’s an active, intentional choice to trust that everything is unfolding exactly as it should, even if we can’t see the big picture right now. It’s about releasing fear, embracing uncertainty, and allowing change to move through us without resistance.

Inhale, Exhale, Repeat

At the end of the day, yoga philosophy teaches us that change is not something to dread, but something to accept—dare I say, even celebrate. It offers us tools like mindfulness, non-attachment, and surrender to help us navigate life’s twists and turns with more ease. Whether you’re in the middle of a personal transformation or just trying to make peace with the fact that summer always turns into fall, these ancient teachings offer timeless wisdom for modern living.

So the next time life throws you a curveball, take a deep breath, roll out your yoga mat, and remember: the only constant is change, but luckily, we’ve got a few thousand years of yogic wisdom to help us through it.