Samskāra: Who’s Really Running the Show?
In yoga, there’s a profound concept called saṁskāra — the subtle impression that every action, thought, word, and feeling leaves on our psyche and energy body. Each experience we have, each way we respond to life, even each thought, creates an imprint in the mind. When we repeat that action or thought, the imprint deepens. Over time, these impressions become habits or tendencies that shape both the way we view and move in the world — the scary thing is this is happening and most of the time we don’t even realize it!
The Yogic View: Patterns of the Mind
In Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra, saṁskāras are described as the seeds of karma — the roots of our habitual patterns (vāsanās) and mental fluctuations (vṛttis).
These impressions can be helpful or unhelpful, depending on the intention behind them. When the mind acts from clarity, compassion, and discernment, we create supportive saṁskāras that lead us toward steadiness and peace.
When we act from confusion, fear, or attachment, we strengthen what the Yoga Sūtra calls kliṣṭa saṁskāras — painful patterns that keep us stuck in suffering and reactivity.
Essentially, our unconscious conditioning becomes the invisible hand shaping our thoughts, relationships, and even our sense of self.
The Psychological Parallel
Modern psychology and neuroscience describe this same phenomenon in terms of habit formation and neuroplasticity.
The more we repeat a behavior, the stronger the neural pathways become. Eventually, our brain begins to default to those patterns automatically — for better or worse.
When we live reactively or unconsciously, we’re reinforcing the same circuits of stress, fear, or avoidance.
The yogic understanding of saṁskāra adds another layer: it’s not just mental or neurological — it’s energetic. Every repeated action also leaves an imprint in the subtle body (prāṇamaya kośa), influencing how energy flows through us.
The Good News: Awareness Changes Everything
Here’s where yoga offers hope and empowerment.
Once we become aware of these patterns, we can choose. Awareness brings freedom.
Every moment of mindfulness, every time you pause before reacting, every conscious breath you take — you’re already creating a new saṁskāra.
A new pattern of presence, peace, and possibility.
Through yoga’s tools — movement, breathwork, meditation, mantra, and self-reflection — we begin to purify the old impressions and plant new, intentional ones. This is the true work of yoga: transforming unconscious conditioning into conscious evolution.
Living with Intention
When we live intentionally, we participate in our own transformation.
Each time you respond instead of react, each time you ground yourself before speaking or acting, you’re reprogramming both the mind and nervous system. You’re choosing the saṁskāras that will shape not only your future but the energetic climate of your home, your community, and the world around you.
As I often remind my students:
If you don’t take charge of your saṁskāras, they will take charge of you.
But the moment you bring awareness, you reclaim your agency. You become the sculptor of your inner world.
Reflection
Take a moment to pause and consider:
What patterns feel most active in your life right now?
Which ones feel nourishing and worth strengthening?
Which ones are asking to be released?
Awareness is the first step. With each intentional action — each breath, word, and choice — you are already shaping a new pattern, a new possibility.
If you want to work with me to find out how to apply this to your life click here to set up a 15 minute discovery call :) I look forward to chatting with you!
Thanks for reading, let me know how this landed for you.
Dani
