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 […]
Live Your Yoga Off the Mat Part 3 Asteya
Asteya, non-stealing is the third Yama. Like ahimsa and satya, asteya means more than just the translation and it can be applied toward others, ourselves and the environment. We steal from others when we take from them; not just things, but also their time. We also steal from others when we neglect to give them […]