Philosophy
Samskara
Saṃskāraसंस्कार· sum-SKAH-rahmental impression, imprint
A samskara is a subtle mental impression left by past experiences and actions, which shapes habits, tendencies and future responses.
Yoga practice works to soften unhelpful samskaras and cultivate wholesome ones, gradually freeing the mind from conditioned patterns.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a samskara?
- A subtle imprint left in the mind by past experiences and actions. Accumulated samskaras form our habits and tendencies; yoga aims to loosen the unhelpful ones.