Living the 8 Limbs – the fourth of the Yamas – Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya, the fourth Yama Yoga Sutra 2.38 Traditionally this YAMA is often thought of as celibacy - the idea being that the yogi conserves their sexual energy so that this energy is used to progress along [...]
Exploring Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1.33
1.33: maitri karuna mudita upeksanam sukha duhkha punya apunya visayanam bhavanatah citta prasadanam The mind will be undisturbed if you can cultivate the attitudes of friendliness towards the happy, compassion towards those in pain, delight [...]
Exploring Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2.1
2.1: Tapah svadhyaya isvara pranadhanani kriya yogah These Sanskrit words will be familiar to anyone who knows their Nyamas from their Yamas! Patanjali puts extra emphasis on the last three Nyamas by starting Chapter 2 with [...]
Exploring Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Having looked at the first 4 Sutras in the last newsletter, we’re going to jump to 1.12 to 1.16 that delve into the fundamental yogic principles of ‘practice’ and ‘non-attachment’ (abhyasa and vairagya). We learnt [...]
Living the 8 Limbs – the third of the Yamas – Asteya
“asteya pratisthayam sarva ratna upasthanam” When non-stealing (asteya) is established, all jewels, or treasures present themselves, or are available to the Yogi. Yoga Sutra 2.37 In Sanskrit - A = not, Steya = stealing. This [...]
Living the 8 Limbs – the second of the Yamas – Satya
“satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam” “As truthfulness (satya) is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the Yogi.” Yoga Sutras 2:35 This Yama is a commitment to truthfulness. Satya literally [...]