Live Your Yoga Off the Mat Part 7 Santosha
Santosha, contentment, is the second Niyama. Being content means being happy with the present moment just as it is. It’s knowing that happiness comes from within and that no one or nothing external can make us happy. Santosha is about accepting without judgement and moving past the mindset that says I’ll be happy when… But […]
Live Your Yoga Off the Mat Part 6 Saucha
The Niyamas, or observances, tell us what qualities to cultivate. Saucha, cleanliness or purification, is the first Niyama. We cleanse the external by picking up after ourselves at the yoga studio; putting our weights away when we’re finished at the gym; and keeping our home clean and uncluttered. We purify the internal with meditation; being […]
Live Your Yoga Off the Mat Part 5 Aparigraha
Aparigraha, non-attachment, is the fifth Yama. We can become attached to anything, people, possessions, expectations about how life should be, our physical appearance, our routine, and even our journey toward enlightenment. When we cling to these, we can go to great lengths to avoid losing them. Aparigraha teaches us that rather than fearing an inevitable […]
Live Your Yoga Off the Mat Part 4 Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya, moderation, is the forth Yama. Moderation means stopping before we’ve had or done too much. We can go overboard with anything, from work to food to exercise. Being distracted can cause us to overdo it. We’re at the gym thinking about food, planning our post-workout meal or watching cooking shows on T.V. While we’re […]