Isvara Pranidhana: Surrender
White TaraOver the last 4 weeks I have discussed the niyamas, the second limb of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga. The 5th Niyama, ईश्वर प्रणिधान: Isvara Pranidhana, which means surrendering to a power greater than yourself. Some students struggle with the term...
Svadhyaya: Self-Study
JJ-reading on beach, my fav place to beMy journey within actually began before I started my yoga practice. I was stressed and self medicated, and I was looking for a way to move through life more peacefully.Without substances of course...The fourth niyama of...
Tapas: Heat Generated by Discipline
Continuing our discussion with the 2nd limb of Patanjali's ashtanga yoga, the 3rd niyama, tapas, which literally translates to discipline from the sanskrit root tap or heat, is the niyama most of my college students connect with. When they first read TKV...
Santosha: Contentment
Today, let's explore the 2nd niyama from Patanjali's 2nd limb of ashtanga yoga, santosha or contentment.Happiest with some sweet treat in each hand as a child, I wonder how much I've changed in my search for joy and fulfillment. What is it that makes us...
Saucha: Yogic Purification
pascimottanasanaThe 2nd Limb of yoga, the niyamas are personal practices or behaviors, saucha (purification or cleanliness) is the first.In previous posts, I focused on the 1st limb of ashatanga yoga, the 5 yamas are ethical practices or behaviors, ahimsa, satya,...
When You Shine, I Shine!
Photo by: Ethan Eng-TowSpring is here. The sun is shining, and the flowers have blossomed. I sent my son out to take some pictures and you can see some of the results. Pretty amazing! I love watching my kids, my students and people in my life shine. How can we...
