The Holistic Yoga Method
YOGVEDA YOGA
योगवेद योग
Yoga in Bern,Kramgasse 78
since 2006
031 311 50 88

Ayurveda Gunas Bern: Qualities of Life & Yoga Teacher Training Switzerland
The Gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—are the three fundamental qualities that, according to Samkhya and Yoga philosophy from the Vedic tradition, permeate everything in the universe. They shape our thoughts, emotions, actions, and even the cosmos and time itself. At Yogveda Yoga in Bern, you can discover the transformative power of the Gunas and learn to balance them through yoga classes, Ayurvedic consultations with Shahid Khan, or our Yoga Teacher Training in Bern and Switzerland.
What Are the Gunas?
The Gunas are the essential attributes that form the entire universe and our existence:
-
Sattva: The quality of clarity, harmony, and purity.
-
Rajas: The quality of activity, passion, and movement.
-
Tamas: The quality of inertia, darkness, and stagnation.
These three Gunas are present in everything—from our food, thoughts, and behaviors to nature and the structure of the universe. They influence how we perceive and interact with the world. Balancing the Gunas is key to mental and physical well-being, while the ultimate goal of Yoga philosophy is to transcend the Gunas and reach a state of pure consciousness beyond their influence.
The Gunas: From Within You to the Universe
The Gunas are all-encompassing, shaping every aspect of existence:
-
In Body and Mind: Sattva brings clarity and peace, Rajas fuels activity and ambition, and Tamas can lead to lethargy or grounding. For example, a sattvic mind feels calm and focused, a rajasic mind is restless and driven, and a tamasic mind feels heavy and unclear.
-
In Nature: The seasons reflect the Gunas—spring (Rajas) is full of energy and growth, summer (Sattva) radiates clarity and abundance, and winter (Tamas) brings stillness and retreat.
-
In the Universe and Time: The Gunas permeate the cosmos—Sattva represents the harmony of creation, Rajas the dynamic expansion of the universe, and Tamas the darkness and end of cycles. Even time, as we experience it, is shaped by the Gunas: a sattvic moment feels timeless, a rajasic moment is frantic, and a tamasic moment drags on sluggishly.
-
In Your Daily Life: Your diet, environment, and routines reflect the Gunas. Sattvic foods like fresh fruits promote clarity, rajasic activities like intense workouts boost energy, and tamasic habits like oversleeping can amplify inertia.
Sattva: The Quality of Harmony
Sattva represents purity, light, and balance. People with high Sattva are calm, wise, and spiritually inclined, feeling at peace with themselves and the world.
-
Characteristics of Sattva: Mental clarity, compassion, contentment, spiritual inclination.
-
Signs of Imbalance: Too much Sattva can lead to detachment or escapism from reality.
-
Tips to Enhance Sattva:
-
Diet: Sattvic foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy.
-
Lifestyle: Meditation, time in nature, and a peaceful environment.
-
Yoga: Gentle, meditative practices like Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) or breathing exercises like Nadi Shodhana.
-
Rajas: The Quality of Passion
Rajas is the force of activity and change. People with high Rajas are dynamic, ambitious, and energetic but can also be restless or driven by desires.
-
Characteristics of Rajas: Activity, ambition, competitiveness, restlessness.
-
Signs of Imbalance: Excessive Rajas leads to stress, irritability, or burnout.
-
Tips to Balance Rajas:
-
Diet: Avoid overly spicy or caffeinated foods that amplify Rajas; opt for balancing foods like cooked vegetables.
-
Lifestyle: Take breaks, practice relaxation techniques, and establish mindful routines.
-
Yoga: Calming poses like forward bends or restorative yoga sequences.
-
Tamas: The Quality of Inertia
Tamas represents darkness, stability, and inactivity. People with high Tamas may seem lethargic, unmotivated, or directionless, but balanced Tamas provides grounding and rest.
-
Characteristics of Tamas: Lethargy, indifference, stability, heaviness.
-
Signs of Imbalance: Too much Tamas leads to laziness, depression, or mental fog.
-
Tips to Balance Tamas:
-
Diet: Light, spicy foods like ginger tea or fresh salads; avoid heavy, greasy foods.
-
Lifestyle: Regular exercise, exposure to sunlight, and inspiring activities.
-
Yoga: Energizing poses like backbends or dynamic sequences like Warrior (Virabhadrasana).
-
The Gunas and Your Well-Being
Balancing the Gunas is essential for your health:
-
Too much Sattva can lead to disconnection from reality, while a lack of Sattva clouds the mind.
-
Excessive Rajas causes stress and agitation, while too little Rajas leads to a lack of drive.
-
An excess of Tamas results in lethargy and stagnation, while too little Tamas removes necessary grounding.
Ayurveda and Yoga help harmonize the Gunas for a balanced life. The ultimate aim of Yoga philosophy is to transcend the Gunas, achieving a state of pure consciousness—known as Kaivalya—free from their influence.
Ayurvedic Consultations and Yoga Classes at Yogveda Yoga
At Yogveda Yoga in Bern, you can harmonize the Gunas in your life. In our Ayurvedic consultations, Shahid Khan, our expert in Vedic philosophy and modern anatomy, assesses the influence of the Gunas on your body and mind, creating a personalized plan that includes diet, lifestyle, and yoga. Our yoga classes in Bern are designed to balance the Gunas—from sattvic, meditative sessions to dynamic, rajasic sequences that stimulate Tamas.
Gunas in Yoga Teacher Training
Want to deeply understand the Gunas and integrate them into your yoga practice? Our Yoga Teacher Training in Bern and Switzerland at Yogveda Yoga teaches you the principles of the Gunas under Shahid Khan’s guidance. Learn how to adapt yoga sequences, dietary advice, and meditation techniques to your students’ Gunas, enhancing their mental and physical well-being. Learn more about Yoga and Vedic philosophies with Shahid Khan at Yogveda Yoga in the workshops and Yoga Teacher Trainings.
Conclusion
The Gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—permeate everything: our thoughts, emotions, actions, nature, and the universe. By balancing the Gunas, you can live a more harmonious and fulfilling life. Discover the wisdom of the Gunas at Yogveda Yoga in Bern—through our yoga classes, Ayurvedic consultations with Shahid Khan, or our Yoga Teacher Training in Bern and Switzerland. Let us guide you toward inner peace and spiritual clarity!