As we move into the month of March and transition from winter to spring, we may begin to think of spring cleaning. In yoga, the first of the five niyamas — guidelines for how we interact with the world and those around us — is purity, or saucha. Think about the first niyama for a … [Read more…]
Non-possessiveness—the fifth yama—is a challenge. But its power cannot be denied. When it’s hard to let go, it may help to shift your focus from whatever you are grasping and notice that even without attachment, there’s a lot to be grateful for. If you’re like me, you may find that life improves dramatically when you … [Read more…]
If you’ve studied yoga philosophy and heard the term brahmacharya, you may think of celibacy, self-denial, or asceticism when you see the word. But believe it or not, the aim of brahmacharya is to enjoy life! Brahmacharya means “to walk with God” (in Hindu terminology, to seek Brahman). In my belief, God doesn’t want us … [Read more…]
Asteya, the third yama of Patanjali’s Yoga, is non-stealing. It is more than not taking somebody else’s stuff. Behind the principle of asteya) is the notion of abundance, the idea that there is enough for everyone and everything is connected. In an ideal world, we would all share resources. Everyone would contribute to the community, … [Read more…]
Every moral code includes truthfulness. In yoga, truthfulness— satya in Sanskrit—is the second yama. Satya is not a simple matter of not telling a lie. It requires authenticity. Why is truth so important, and what exactly does it mean to be truthful? Healthy relationships are based on authenticity. We cannot be authentic without being honest … [Read more…]
The very first step on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga is the first yama: ahimsa. The word means nonviolence or non-harming. It can also be thought of as kindness. Understanding the First Yama Practicing ahimsa means doing no harm. We act with kindness toward other people, other beings, and the universe itself. Most of us … [Read more…]
Recently, I was discussing life after death with a friend. I’d mentioned something about the concept of reincarnation in Buddhism. My friend pointed out that Jesus described heaven as a house with many mansions (or rooms). Later that day, I found a new way of understanding Jesus the yogi when I thought more about this … [Read more…]
Most of us in the West have heard of the Ten Commandments. If you’re a yogi, you probably also know about the five yamas and the five niyamas. If you don’t, they are principles for right living from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali; think of them as the ten commandments for yogis. You may wonder … [Read more…]
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are full of wisdom. The goal of Patanjali’s yoga is Self-realization, but we can use the wisdom of the sutras in everyday life. While we’d love to be enlightened beings all the time, we’re human. One way the sutras help us is by teaching us how to deal with people. … [Read more…]
Did you know that yoga affects the emotional brain? By yoga, I don’t mean just the physical postures, but the whole practice. As one my teachers used to say often, we are always practicing yoga. The Emotional Brain and Yoga There are different ways to define yoga, but most of the definitions are about connection in some … [Read more…]