“Persevering practice deeply transforms character and behavior.”

– Bernard Bouchard, The Essence of Yoga

“It is all too easy to slip back into old habits, so practice means establishing a routine and keeping to it.”

– Devadatta Kali, Managing The Mind

“This leads to stability in body and mind….”

– B. K. S. Iyengar, Core of the Yoga Sutras

“Even if we do not realize it, what we are seeking is the sense of wholeness. This sense is so familiar that often we forget that it is always with us. The time we spend each day in communion with ourselves is such an integral part of our lives that when it is absent, we feel unbalanced and out of sorts. Rhythm of practice, on the other hand, can be one of the most stabilizing effects of our life.

– Nischala Joy Devi, The Secret Power of Yoga

“Practice is at the very least a lifelong commitment…One is, after all, pursuing the ultimate goal of life – realization of the innermost self…if one maintains one’s practice, then eventually the mind becomes steadfast and concentrated. If one gives up one’s practice, however, one’s mind immediately becomes overwhelmed again…There is no flower bed, however perfected, that can counteract the relentless emergence of weeds if left unattended.

– Edwin F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

“There will always be a tendency to start practice with enthusiasm and energy, and a desire for immediate results…this sutra emphasizes the need to approach practice soberly with a positive, self-disciplined attitude and with a long-term view towards eventual success.

– TKV Desikachar, Reflections on Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjal

“A firmly grounded practice is one that occurs daily without strain or grudging participation. It is meaningful, inspired, and focused…an anticipated time of connection to deeper levels of self…There is no doubt about it. We develop into better people, seeking within ourselves to find the place where devotion lives, where consistency is the natural state, and where roots of love are hidden. We could replace, ‘long time, without break, and in all earnestness’ with ‘devotion, consistency, and love.’ These qualities will serve us well in any endeavor.”

– Reverend Jaganath Carrera, Inside the Yoga Sutras

“‘in all earnestness’…that means with full attention, with the entire appreciation of your mind, and with full faith in your achievement…let us not be like little children who sow a seed today and dig it up tomorrow to see how much the root went down. We need all of these three qualities: patience, devotion, and faith.”

– Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

“Practice adds up. The more you practice, the better you become at it. The better you become, the easier it gets. It is no longer something you force yourself to do but that you look forward to doing. As the results begin to show, you become firmly grounded.”

– Devadatta Kali, Managing The Mind