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Isvara Pranidhana: Letting Go

The fifth and final niyama is Isvara Pranidhana (surrender to God). I’ve seen it translated “dedication to God” or dedicating one’s actions to God. That letting go of outcomes is one of the tougher disciplines. . . . → Read More: Isvara Pranidhana: Letting Go

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My Thoughts Exactly!

In response to the fellow who thinks most people should not do yoga! . . . → Read More: My Thoughts Exactly!

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Yoga Breakdancing!

Just for . . . → Read More: Yoga Breakdancing!

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Svadhyaya: Niyama of Scholars

Svadhyaya, which means ‘study,’ has both inner and outer components. It means both self-study and self-education. In yoga tradition it is taken to mean study of God and the study of God within the individual. Many assume this indicates a very narrow scope of study.

I think that since this body and this personality are connected with all . . . → Read More: Svadhyaya: Niyama of Scholars

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Tapas: the Niyama for the New Year

Tapas means dedication to what feeds our souls (yoga or music, nature or cooking) on a par with work, paying taxes or getting the kids to soccer practice. It also means a dedication to achieving our goals in life—including the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of a new year. . . . → Read More: Tapas: the Niyama for the New Year

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Santosa: A Holiday Niyama

This time of year carries a lot of stress for many people. The cultivation of santosa can help us handle both the crazy times and the alone times. . . . → Read More: Santosa: A Holiday Niyama

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Fascia: Something New to Think About

I’ve recently been introduced to a wonderful fitness magazine that has been broadening my understanding of how yoga works with the body. It’s called Experience Life.

In particular I found the article about fascia enlightening. Click on the image below to read. It inspired me to look more deeply into the subject and it turns out that . . . → Read More: Fascia: Something New to Think About

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Saucha: Clean Body, Clean Spirit

Niyamas are behaviors and ways of being in the world (virtues) that are valuable to cultivate within ourselves. There are five of them just as there are five yamas. The first niyama is:

Saucha (purity of the body) combines the poses and breathing exercises of hatha yoga with dietary practices and keeping the body clean inside and . . . → Read More: Saucha: Clean Body, Clean Spirit

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Aparigraha: The Heart of Thanksgiving

Aparigraha (“You shall not hoard” or “You shall not covet”). Thanksgiving is all about non-hoarding. It is the time for sharing abundance and taking care of each other. The time for celebrating all that the universe has provided.

Hoarding (could also be called coveting what one doesn’t need) shows poverty of spirit and indicates one does not . . . → Read More: Aparigraha: The Heart of Thanksgiving

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Brahmacharya: A Balanced Life

Brahmacharya is difficult to translate into Western terms. It literally means “under the tutelage of Brahma.” Brahmacharya refers to celibacy, religious study and self-restraint. It resembles expected behavior of monks and nuns in Christian monasteries. Yet, in Indian society, many people who practice brahmacharya are married with children, because without knowledge of human love one can’t . . . → Read More: Brahmacharya: A Balanced Life