yama and niyama introduction, a summer series
yoga is not just what happens on the mat.
this summer, june and diane are taking us somewhere deeper -- into the yamas and niyamas, the ethical heart of yoga practice.
written by diane, moondog yoga instructor
about a month ago, june invited me to collaborate with her on a writing project about the yamas and niyamas. i enthusiastically said yes. i love collaboration, and i genuinely enjoy studying these limbs of yoga. this project will take the entire summer, as we dig into and explore the five yamas and five niyamas together.
what are the yamas and niyamas?
the yamas are the means to gain self-awareness -- they can transform negative energy, manage desires, create healthy relationships, and cultivate a deep and abiding sense of peace. the niyamas are constructive tools for cultivating happiness and self-confidence. they are an ethical practice. they are not dogma, not binding rules -- not the things that often start with "should."
why should we care?
as you are probably aware, yoga is not just asana, the physical postures. really, asana is only a small part of yoga. yet we often do not take the time to look at the other aspects. we find ourselves on the mat but sometimes do not feel as peaceful as we would like. we bring things in from our day -- what it took to get to class, stress, worry, fatigue.
studying the yamas and niyamas can give us tools to live more peacefully. so that even when we are presented with stress or worry, we can rise above it.
what happens next?
each week this summer, we will feature a different yama or niyama -- and we are asking all of our instructors to add their thoughts and suggestions too. you may notice our classes beginning to reflect or focus on whichever one we are exploring. believe me, that is intentional.
we invite you to follow along here and on our blog, and to pick up a copy of the yamas and niyamas by deborah adele if you want to go deeper. it is a remarkable book.
we hope this exploration involves the entire moondog sangha -- our whole community -- as we uncover, discuss, and make sense of these powerful yogic tools. we would love to hear your thoughts.
the full series
what we will be exploring this summer
the yamas
ahimsanon-harming
satyatruthfulness
asteyanon-stealing
bramacharyamoderating the senses
aparigrahanon-possessiveness
the niyamas
shauchaself-purification
santoshacontentment
tapasself-discipline
svadhyayaself-study
ishvara pranidhanaself-surrender
recommended reading: the yamas & niyamas by deborah adele
if you want to go deeper alongside us this summer, this is the book. thoughtful, accessible, and genuinely transformative. available anywhere books are sold.
we cannot wait to share this with you. follow along each week -- on the blog, in class, and right here in your inbox. the whole moondog community is invited into this one.