The first of the eight limbsÂof yoga is theÂyamas. The yamas are the physical restraints or ethical guidelines for embarking upon the yogic path. Before we continue, I want to make something clear. ÂThese yamas (and all 8 limbs, for that matter) are to be taken as guiding principles. The truth is, it is very difficult (if not downright impossible!)
Patanjali, known as the “father of modern yoga,” compiled a series of principles called the Yoga Sutras (a great read if you’re interested in yoga philosophy). ÂThese sutras outline the philosophical foundations that inform the physical, mental, and spiritual practices of yoga. In particular, Patanjali describesÂthe 8 limbs of yoga in the sutras. ÂThese 8 limbs are intended to be
Sometimes we wake up with a million things on our to-do list. Our brains may tell us to go here and there and do this but WAIT – not until you do THAT! Meanwhile, your feet just sort of…do their own thing. You might obey your brain’s rabid commands…or you might do them in a different order. Or, you might
“You must be prepared to work always without applause.” -Ernest Hemingway Non-attachment is a central principle of the Bhagavad Gita, one of the major Hindu holy books. It is believed that by remaining detached from outcomes, we are in a better position to simply fulfill the tasks entrusted to us. In other words, when we are detached, our ability to complete tasks
“To be fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” -Pema Chodron Isn’t it funny how at just the moment when we get comfortable with a new change in our lives – maybe a new job, a new baby, a new city – something suddenly happens to throw a wrench in it? And we have to
When we’re feeling tense, anxious, or generally off, we may feel at the mercy of our powerful emotions. However, with some practice and patience, you may find that you can counteract those uncomfortable feelings with slow, deep, controlled breathing. First, a note about breathing: Many of us practice shallow breathing in our day-to-day lives. In other words, when we inhale, our
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” -George Washington Carver Happy Friday! This weekend, consider penciling this small goal into your plans: See what happens when you
In yoga classes, you’ll often hear the instructor say something like, “You can always come to a child’s pose if you need rest” or “take rest here in downward facing dog and breathe deeply.” These statements, while well-intentioned, naturally assume that everyone sees child’s pose or downward facing dog as poses of “rest” and relaxation. But the thing is, some
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” -Thich Nhat Hanh Breathing seems so simple. We breathe without even thinking about it. When we are relaxed, our breath is effortless and barely noticeable. When we are stressed, however, the story changes a bit. Many of us are familiar with the “fight-or-flight” response of
“The need to be a great artist makes it hard to be an artist. The need to produce a great work of art makes it hard to produce any art at all.” -Julia Cameron The Bhagavad Gita, one of the major Hindu scriptures and part of the Hindu epic tale Mahabharata, details a conversation between Lord Krishna (disguised as a charioteer)