Is yoga a form of meditation?

The physical practice can be meditative, and meditation is formally one of yoga's eight limbs — so they're deeply linked rather than separate.

Should I do yoga or meditation first?

Traditionally postures and breathwork come first to settle the body, then meditation — but any order that you'll keep up is fine.

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What's the Difference Between Yoga and Meditation?

Yoga is the broad practice and philosophy — including postures, breathwork, ethics and meditation — while meditation is one part of it: training the attention t

By Yoga & You Teaching FacultyUpdated 23 July 2026

2 min read

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Yoga is the broad practice and philosophy — including postures, breathwork, ethics and meditation — while meditation is one part of it: training the attention to rest and settle. In short, meditation is a limb of yoga. You can meditate without doing postures, and the postures are partly a way to prepare the body to sit and meditate.

In Patanjali's eight limbs, meditation (dhyana) is the seventh limb; posture (asana) and breath (pranayama) come earlier and help prepare for it. So meditation sits inside the larger system of yoga.

Day to day, 'doing yoga' often means the physical practice, and 'meditating' means seated attention training — but traditionally they're part of one path toward a steady, clear mind.

Frequently asked questions

Is yoga a form of meditation?: The physical practice can be meditative, and meditation is formally one of yoga's eight limbs — so they're deeply linked rather than separate.
Should I do yoga or meditation first?: Traditionally postures and breathwork come first to settle the body, then meditation — but any order that you'll keep up is fine.

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Frequently asked questions

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