The Kleshas Series

Understanding the Root Causes of Suffering in Yogic Philosophy

In yogic philosophy, the Panca Kleshas are described in the Yoga Sutras as the five root causes of human suffering. These are not distant philosophical concepts, but deeply human patterns that influence how we think, feel and experience life.

The five kleshas are:
Avidya (ignorance or misperception),
Asmita (ego or false identification),
Raga (attachment),
Dvesha (aversion),
and Abhinivesha (fear, including the fear of loss and death).

Together, they describe the inner patterns that cloud clarity and keep us from experiencing our natural state of peace, awareness and steadiness.

In this series, we explore the kleshas in a practical and embodied way. Rather than remaining purely theoretical, these teachings are brought into direct experience through asana, breathwork and reflective enquiry. We begin to notice how these patterns arise in the body, the mind, and our everyday reactions to life.

This is yoga as applied philosophy — a way of seeing clearly, responding consciously, and working skilfully with the inner patterns that create suffering.

Across the series, expect:

•  A clear exploration of the five kleshas from the Yoga Sutras
•  Understanding the root causes of human suffering in yogic philosophy
•  Embodied practices to observe thought, emotion and reaction patterns
•  Asana, pranayama and meditation to cultivate awareness and steadiness
•  Reflection on ego, attachment, aversion and fear in daily life
•  Practical tools for working with emotional reactivity and inner tension