Most of us begin our yoga practice with an interest in āsana (pronounced ah-sana) - otherwise known as postures. Practicing āsana allows us to develop a better relationship with our body, to really feel our body and learn how to use it and move it wisely. For many of us this deepening relationship with our body begins an enquiry into other aspects of ourselves, like our breath, our thoughts, our feelings and our spirituality. Whether or not that's what we intended, we find ourselves on the path of yoga and we might start to seek for a map of the territory.
Tag: alleightlimbs
Equinox / Niyama
The Niyama are five habits we should cultivate in order to take care of ourselves. Since 'self-care' has become a rather glib term harnessed by wellness brands to sell their 'stuff', let me just be clear that practicing niyama certainly doesn't involve buying anything and needn't cost you a penny! Integrating Niyama into your practice simply means cultivating good habits, balancing effort with ease and doing your inner work - while remembering the world does not revolve entirely around you!
Imbolc / Yama
Imbolc is a wonderful time to consider the first of Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga - Yama - as this guidance is all about our relationships. As we move through the gate out of winter hibernation to be more 'in the world', we can perhaps bring more awareness or consciousness to how we treat ourselves… Continue reading Imbolc / Yama
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
Patanjali's Yoga Sūtra clearly presents yoga as a path of meditation. While contemporary yoga practice is often represented by postures (they are easy to photograph), these eight limbs remind us that yoga is a holistic practice, affecting every aspect of our lives, from the social to the spiritual via the body, breath and mind.