A Study of Awareness of Patanjali Yoga Sutra Among Certified Yoga Teachers of Iran

Abstract

Yoga, with its roots in ancient Indian philosophy, has become a widely practiced discipline around the world. One of the most significant texts in the yoga tradition is the Patanjali Yoga Sutra, which outlines the philosophy, ethics, and techniques of yoga. Despite its historical and philosophical importance, the awareness and understanding of the Yoga Sutra among contemporary yoga instructors remain underexplored, particularly in regions like Iran, where yoga is a relatively new phenomenon. This study aims to investigate the level of awareness, understanding, and application of the Patanjali Yoga Sutra among certified yoga instructors in Iran. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured survey (16 questions) to assess the knowledge of key principles, philosophical teachings, and practices from the Yoga Sutra. The sample included 115 yoga practitioners who were certified by recognized institutions and had at least one year of teaching experience. A structured survey of 115 certified yoga instructors in Iran revealed a surprising familiarity with core concepts such as “Chitta Vritti Nirodha,” understood by 73% of participants, and “Ahimsa,” correctly identified by 92%. However, broader knowledge of the Yoga Sutras was notably lacking. For instance, 67.8% of participants were unable to distinguish the Sutras from other classical yoga texts, and 61.7% were unaware of the number of chapters in the text. These findings highlight that while certain foundational concepts have been well integrated into practice, a deeper understanding of the Sutras’ structure, broader topics, and historical context remains limited. The study underscores the importance of enhanced educational initiatives to equip yoga instructors with a more comprehensive grasp of Patanjali’s philosophy, enriching their teaching and practice.