In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren explores one of the most beloved and practical teachings from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras—Sutra 1.33, known as the “Locks and Keys.” This timeless framework offers guidance on how to cultivate emotional intelligence, maintain inner peace, and meet the world with grace and clarity.
Lauren breaks down each of the four “locks” we encounter—joy, suffering, virtue, and negativity—and the yogic “key” to unlock peace in response: friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity. Through personal stories, on-the-mat examples, and off-the-mat reflections, Lauren invites you to integrate these tools into your daily life and teaching.
This episode includes:
The full translation and meaning of Yoga Sutra 1.33
How the four keys support emotional regulation and self-awareness
Real-life reflections on jealousy, compassion fatigue, admiration, and anger
How to use the locks and keys in your personal practice, relationships, and teaching
A mantra to help you embody the teachings
Journaling prompts for deeper reflection
An invitation to deepen your study through True Love Yoga’s 300-Hour YTT
♀️ Suggested Reflection:
Which of the four locks is most challenging for you right now? How might you pause and respond differently?
Mantra:
“May I meet joy with friendliness, pain with compassion, virtue with delight, and negativity with equanimity.”
Ready to go deeper?
Explore the teachings behind yoga’s most transformative inner tools in Lauren’s 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, launching in January 2026:
https://www.trueloveyogakc.com/yoga-teacher-training
Listen now and tag @trueloveyogakc or @iamlaurenleduc in your reflections.
