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 [...]
Living the 8 Limbs – the first of the Yamas – Ahimsa
“ahimsa pratishthayam tatsamnidhau vairatyagah” “around one who is solidly established in non violence, hostility disappears” Yoga Sutra 2:35 Ahimsa is the first of five specific ethical precepts, in Yoga we call these precepts ‘yamas’. The [...]
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – 1.4
While it can take a lifetime (or 3!) to understand, absorb and integrate the teachings of the Sutras, the core essence can be found in just the first four Sutras. Patanjali lays out the aim [...]
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Having focused on each of the 8 Limbs in previous newsletters, we are now going to delve deeper into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In future newsletters we plan to explore the various translations of [...]
Living the 8 Limbs, the fifth of the niyamas: Isvara Pranidhana – Surrender to God’s will
Before we look at the essence of this, the last of the niyamas, let’s just deal with the ‘God’ word. Yoga does not promote any religion. There is no requirement to believe in God, or [...]