What are the Guna's? Yoga Philosophy explained.
- My Space Yoga with Antonella Fimiani
- Dec 10
- 4 min read
" No creature, whether born on earth or among the Gods in heaven, is free from the conditioning of the three Gunas" - Bhagavad- Gita, 18:40
A Modern Guide for Yogis & Household Practitioners
My personal philosophy of yoga is that yoga is much more than something we do on the mat. Yoga is a lifestyle, a holistic path that includes mindfulness practices, self-awareness techniques, yogic philosophy, and daily wellness rituals that help us understand ourselves on a deeper level.
The information that I am sharing with you gets taught at Yoga Teacher Trainings
One of my favourite teachings from traditional Yoga Philosophy is the concept of The Three Gunas.
Even though this is a very ancient concept, it remains incredibly relevant today, especially for modern householders balancing work, family, relationships, and everyday stress.
ORIGIN OF THE GUNAS — SANKHYA PHILOSOPHY
The Three Gunas come from Sankya Philosophy, one of the oldest philosophical systems in India and a foundation of both Yoga Philosophy and Ayurveda.
Sankya explains that the soul (Purusha) becomes embodied in a human form, and we are given a map to find our way back to our natural state of pure consciousness—what some traditions call bliss, oneness, or enlightenment.
These ancient teachings shaped early Hindu beliefs, including reincarnation and the cycle of karma.
But contrary to modern ideas that reincarnation sounds “fun,” the ancients believed that being reborn meant the soul was still stuck in a cycle of learning, suffering, and earthly challenges like hunger, war, and hardship.
Their goal was to break the cycle, transcend earthly limitations, and return to a state of pure consciousness.
WHAT ARE THE THREE GUNAS?
The Gunas are three energies that exist within all of us and in everything around us.
Tamas — heaviness, inertia, grounding
Rajas — movement, action, intensity
Sattva — clarity, purity, harmony
These energies fluctuate throughout the day depending on our habits, food, thoughts, environment, and emotional state.
The Sankya Map looks like this:
Tamas – Bottom – Physical Density / Heaviness
Rajas – Middle – Energy, Movement, Drive
Sattva – Top – Balance, Lightness, Higher Consciousness
Our goal as householders is not to live in a constant state of Sattva (only monks or renunciates strive for that).
But we can move toward more balance, clarity, and peace, and we can use Yoga & Ayurvedic tools to manage these energies.
TAMAS — THE ENERGY OF STILLNESS & INERTIA
This does not mean that Tamas is necessary bad. It gives us rest, stability, grounding, safety.
We often feel Tamas when we are tired, burnt out, or emotionally depleted and we will need deep rest or nourishment as our body asks for stillness
But too much Tamas leads to lethargy, lack of motivation, sadness, depression and feeling stuck or uninspired
In this state, it’s hard to rise to higher levels of clarity or alignment.
How to Balance Tamas (Ayurveda + Yoga Tools)
FOOD
Avoid overly heavy foods such as: dairy, bread, deep-fried foods, heavy root vegetables.
Choose lighter, hydrating, uplifting foods: watermelon, cucumber, coconut water, lighter proteins
MOVEMENT
Choose energising practices: Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Pilates, Running or cardio.
BREATHWORK
Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire) & Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) as well as Maha Yoga Pranayama
RAJAS — THE ENERGY OF MOVEMENT & FIRE
Rajas gives us drive, passion, enthusiasm, and motivation. It’s what gets us out of bed and helps us take action.
But too much Rajas leads to: anxiety, overthinking, restlessness, fidgeting, difficulty slowing down, mental overwhelm.
This is extremely common for modern householders who are balancing busy schedules and information overload.
How to Balance Rajas (Ayurveda + Yoga Tools)
FOOD (Cooling, Grounding Foods)
Avoid stimulating foods such as: chilli, garlic, caffeine, spicy or fried foods
Choose grounding foods: warm meals, root vegetables, soups, oats, herbal teas
MOVEMENT
Choose calming practices: Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Gentle Hatha, Slow mindful stretching
BREATHWORK
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath) & Dirgha Pranayama (Three-Part Breath)
Sattva Guna- How to find Balance
Can a householder stay in a sattvic state all day? No we cannot.
We’re not monks living in Himalayan caves—we have jobs, families, responsibilities, relationships, and busy schedules.
Most of us move through Rajas and Tamas throughout the day.
Wake up → drink coffee → enter Rajas
Afternoon crash → feel tired → enter Tamas
Without conscious practices, we swing between these two extremes.
Yoga, Ayurveda, and mindfulness help us create a bridge toward Sattva, even in the middle of modern life.
But we absolutely can reach moments of Sattva each day.
And every moment of clarity, calm, balance, or deep presence brings us closer.
Without conscious practices, we swing between these two extremes.
Yoga, Ayurveda, and Mindfulness help us create a bridge toward Sattva, even in the middle of modern life.
HOW TO MOVE TOWARD SATTVA — MODERN PRACTICES
1. Identify your state — am I in Tamas or Rajas?
2. Notice it before it becomes extreme
3. Use Yoga, Ayurveda, and breathwork to balance yourself
4. Create daily routines to stabilise your energy
DAILY SELF-CARE ROUTINES FOR BALANCE (Tamas or Rajas)
Here are simple, practical examples you can use:
Morning
* 3 minutes of breathing
* Warm lemon water
* Light movement or stretching
Midday
* Balanced lunch (not too heavy or too stimulating)
* Short walk
* Mindful break to reset your mind
Evening
* Slow yoga or stretching
* Warm grounding teas
* Digital sunset (reduce screens)
* Journaling or meditation
These small practices gradually bring you into a more Sattvic, balanced, grounded state.
