A few weeks back, I wrote about yoga’s ethical guidelines, the Yamas, which fall under the first limb of Patanjali’s eight-limb practice. The second portion of this first limb, the five Niyamas, are choices we can make to forge an…
Yoga’s 10 ethical practices, Yamas and Niyamas, form the first limb of Patanjali’s 8-limb practice. This ranking signifies their importance in a yoga practitioner’s overall spiritual journey and moment-to-moment choices. These restraints and observances guide us to better relationships with…
Supta Utthita Parsvakonasana is second in my series of supine standing poses, which will help you immediately identify where your conditioned, unconscious holding patterns reside in your body. The physical, energetic, and mental yoga actions provided with each pose will…
What drew me to yoga over 25 years ago and continues to keep me practicing is its emphasis on balance. Not merely the kind of balance that keeps you from falling over, but the inner and outer balance between stability…
Truth rarely seems to ask the easier choice of us. Deborah Adele In her book, The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, Adele writes about the many groups we belong to throughout our lifetime. As social beings, all these groups—country,…
Bhishmasana’s extensive support and alignment enable a more profound restfulness, allowing the body to fully release tension and find a deep sense of calm. Tummee.com In the Iyengar tradition, Bhishmasana (Bed of Nails or Bed of Arrows) is specifically designed for…
The first and second of yoga’s eight limbs are the five yamas and five niyamas. The primary significance of these 10 ethical practices cannot be understated in today’s chaotic world. Non-violence (Ahimsa) and truthfulness (Satya) sadly appear absent in global,…
The sedentary lifestyles of knowledge workers have them seated at a computer for several hours each day. Without daily movement that counteracts this inactivity, the space between spinal vertebrae and within all other joints in the body — shoulders, elbows,…
by guest blogger Chloe Pearson Stress affects both the mind and body, but managing it effectively can lead to a healthier, more balanced life. Recognizing stress triggers and incorporating holistic methods can help reduce tension and improve overall well-being. Strategies…
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Much of yoga training is spent reversing such conditioning as the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. Very early in our practice, we discover that pain is an unavoidable part of life. In…
Revolved Triangle pose integrates balance, flexibility, and strength while simultaneously aiding digestion from twisting and moving the abdominal organs. The complexity of the pose is eased by first grounding the legs in Ardha Parsvottanasana. Your hands can press into the…
[W]e’re born with a karmic inheritance of mental and emotional patterns—known as samskaras—through which we cycle over and over again during our lives. Bo Forbes In Yogic, Buddhist, and Taoist terms, the “wheel of life” or the cycle of birth…
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