Incorporating Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender and Devotion in Daily Life and In Our Yoga Practice March 22 2026

Yucatan, surely there must be a higher power

I am going to start this rumination on surrendering to a higher power by admitting that I am a control freak. I like things to be in a certain order, spotless, lined up and going the way I expect them to. The chairs being lined up at the counter, my boys doing their chores and homework on time (back in the day) or my career having the expected trajectory; for a long time, I believed I could control these things. OK, so yes, I could control the chairs! As I got older, I began to understand that life throws us curveballs, I tried to stop fighting what I could not control (key word being "tried"). Some of these “unscheduled” events are life changing and sobering and some are exhilarating and joyful. The most important things in life, I now know, cannot be controlled (and I am still learning to deal with that). What we can control, however, is how we react to them. I write this as I sit at the Merida airport waiting for a 4-hour delayed flight that will strand Peter and I in Miami for a night. My old self would now be on the phone wrangling with the airline, trying to find an immediate solution to a problem. Instead, I decided that this is first world problem (we just spent two glorious weeks in the Yucatan), and it will work out. Admittedly, part of the surrender relates to my not having to be back for work or children, as life evolves it does get easier in some ways!

The fifth and final Niyama is Ishvara Pranidhana or Surrender/Devotion to a Higher Power. This could mean God or Brahman or True Self or any higher power.  Using the word God(s) can be problematic for some yogis.  In studying this niyama, however, as in all spiritual aspects of yoga, we should keep in mind that yoga does not force God or religion.  In fact, Desikachar, one of the founding fathers of modern yoga, tells us, “Yoga is not a religion and should not affiliate with any religions”. For me, there has never been a conflict between my yoga practice and my religion.  I find that the contemplation, awareness, and the peace that yoga brings me only enhances my religious beliefs. 

When we focus on this surrender, taking our ego out of the mix and trusting a higher power, we can breathe more deeply, let go of restrictive expectations and find a more peaceful existence. We may release the need for control and embrace a sense of calm, accepting that we are part of something much larger than ourselves; we are not the center of the universe. When we find this acceptance, or at least focus on it, we open ourselves up to new possibilities, experiences and spiritual growth.

When we think of practicing this niyama in our daily life we can think about opening to what is.  Instead of a passive approach (what will happen will happen), we can think about approaching life’s challenges and unexpected twists with a more open attitude, one of wonder and perhaps acceptance, experiencing life as it evolves.  Sometimes we limit our lives by being habitual, rigid, and set in our ways.  I am guilty of this.  Rigidity and commitment to a relentless schedule can lead to a small and limited life, one fraught with frustration.   

As we enter new or difficult situations, we can approach them with surrender.  This does not mean we do not do our best or prepare adequately but knowing that we have done our best work to “get there”, we can then let go and surrender to the outcome rather than perseverate or anticipate outcomes. As we approach our life (and our practice) in this way, it helps us connect with ourselves and the world around us on a deeper level.  Recognizing that there is something bigger than ourselves begins to develop and deepen our practice and our overall wellbeing.

Our Practice - Setu Bandhasana – Supported Bridge Pose

I often choose pigeon pose to invoke surrender. However, when thinking of it today, I landed on supported bridge. Bridge pose is a heart opener, when using a block, it allows us to feel more grounded and relaxed and allows for totally letting go, surrender. This relaxation inducing pose opens the chest (and heart) and helps us feel accepting and calm, allowing for a release of physical tension and mental control.

 Meditation on Ishvara Pranidhana – Surrender to a Higher Power

Whether it be God, Mohammed, Brahma, Chebbeniathan or Your Cosmic Self, surrendering to what we cannot control is an important part of living our best life. 

“We think surrender is a sign of weakness when in fact it is a sign of strength.  Surrender comes with knowledge, with realization and with gratefulness.”  ~ Gurudev Sri Ravi Shankar

 "Ishvara Pranidhana is the surrender of the small self to the grand tapestry of existence."  ~ Mooji

See you on the mat

Namaste

Julia Anne