Mastering the Mind
Join the Sutra Sangha in May to Study the Vṛtti-s
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your thoughts—like your mind is racing in a hundred directions, replaying the past, imagining worst-case scenarios, or second-guessing everything—then the theme of the Sutra Sangha for the month of May is for you!
The Sutra Sangha is the new name for our Mindful Life Practice community membership (which has existed for the last six years!) Our membership has primarily focused on sober community and yoga classes exclusively for the last six years. But as I have grown as a yoga educator, I have been focusing my specialization in teaching yoga philosophy, and I know how valuable regularly teaching and studying this material is. I want to focus my work more on this area. And thus, the Sutra Sangha was born.
Note: The Sutra Sangha will not be an in depth Yoga Sutra Study. We will just look at some basic concepts from yoga philosophy at the beginner level. If you want to join the next Sutra Study, the info will be here!
In May, The Sutra Sangha is diving deep into the vṛtti-s—the mental patterns, stories, and fluctuations that keep us stuck in cycles of suffering. And you’re invited to join us.
But first, what exactly are the vṛtti-s?
🧠 What Are the Vṛtti-s?
In Yoga Sutra 1.2, Patanjali defines yoga as:
yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
These fluctuations—vṛtti-s—are the constant movements of the mind. Thoughts, memories, judgments, projections, dreams. Some feel pleasant, others painful. But the deeper truth? All vṛtti-s pull us away from our true Self—and even the seemingly “positive” ones can reinforce the illusion of separation.
In Sutra 1.6, Patanjali categorizes these movements into five types:
Pramāṇa – correct knowledge
Viparyaya – incorrect knowledge
Vikalpa – imagination
Nidrā – sleep
Smṛti – memory
All of these are necessary for functioning in the world, but when we become identified with them, we lose touch with our inner stillness—what Sutra 1.3 calls draṣṭuḥ svarūpe avasthānam: the seer resting in their true nature.
This is the essence of our work in Sutra Sangha.
🌕 What Is Sutra Sangha?
Sutra Sangha is the live, community-based tier of the Sober Yoga Girl Substack. As a member, you get access to:
At least twice monthly live calls (asana, meditation, and discussion) (this month we have four calls!)
Recorded replays if you can’t attend live
A private WhatsApp group just for members of the sangha to reflect, connect, and deepen your practice
Real-time application of yoga philosophy to your recovery, healing, and everyday life
This is about deepening our understanding and integration of this philosophy into our every day lives.
🌸 May Events in Sutra Sangha: The Vṛtti Series
🧘🏽♀️ May 4 at 9:00am EST | 9:00pm WITA
Asana Practice: Stilling the Fluctuations
A slow vinyasa + pranayama + yoga nidra class designed to soothe the nervous system and quiet the mind. (Save the reminder on your calendar here)
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🧠 May 10 at 8:00pm EST | May 11 at 8:00am WITA
Meditation Circle: The Five Vṛtti-s
We’ll participate in a specific meditation practice designed to break up the thought spirals, and then break down the five types of mental fluctuations and how they show up in trauma, recovery, and daily life. (Save the reminder on your calendar here)
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🧘♀️ May 14 at 7:30am EST | May 15 at 7:30pm WITA
Asana + Meditation: Observing the Vṛtti-s
A mindful movement and mantra practice focused on developing witness consciousness. (Save the reminder on your calendar here)
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🌿 May 25 at 8:00am WITA | May 24 at 8:00pm EST
Discussion Circle: Disidentifying from the Mind
We’ll explore Sutra 1.3 and what it means to rest in our true nature when the vṛtti-s are stilled. (Save the reminder on your calendar here.)
✨ All sessions are recorded, so even if you can’t make it live, you’ll still receive the full experience.
🕊️ Why Upgrade?
Because healing isn’t just about understanding what’s wrong—it’s about learning to sit with your Self in silence and say, “I am not my thoughts.”
If you’ve been enjoying the free Seva Writing, the Sadhana Circle and the Sutra Sangha is where we take it deeper. It’s where the transformation happens.
Let May be the month you study your mind—not to judge it, but to lovingly disidentify from it.
We begin on May 4th.
I hope to see you there.
With love and light,
Alexandra
Sober Yoga Girl
👉 Upgrade your membership and Join the Sutra Sangha