yogi

Yogi is a term used to refer to a practitioner of yoga, especially one who pursues spiritual development and mastery over the body and mind. The word originates from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to yoke or unite, and thus a yogi is one who seeks to unite the individual self with higher truth or realization.

Historically, yogis appear in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions as individuals who cultivate disciplined meditation, moral conduct, and self-control. A yogi may be a renunciate or a householder, and is sometimes described as having attained a steady mind and greater freedom from sensual attachment.

Practices commonly associated with yogis include meditation, pranayama (breath control), various asanas (poses), and the study of spiritual texts. The aim is often self-realization, liberation, or a direct experience of the true nature of the self, sometimes framed as union with the divine or ultimate reality. Across traditions, several yogic paths exist, such as Raja yoga, Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, and Jnana yoga, with different emphasis on knowledge, devotion, action, or technique.

In contemporary usage, 'yogi' can refer to any practitioner of yoga and is sometimes used as a nickname or given name. Notable people and characters associated with the name include the baseball player Yogi Berra and the cartoon figure Yogi Bear, as well as public figures such as Yogi Adityanath.