On first glance, this principle may seem straightforward. From a young age, we are encouraged to share rather than take. We witnessed shoplifters get caught, burglars go to jail, and infidelity break marriages. The action of stealing is evident. Yet the subtler forms of stealing through intent and thought are often hidden in our habits, so deep that they are disguised. Asteya is the third Yama or self-restraint of Patanjali’s Yamas and Niyamas.
In recent years, more and more people have been talking about yoga as a viable form of both exercise and meditation. There are countless benefits you can enjoy from this style of fitness, and all of them are especially positive for women over 50.
Long grueling hours behind a desk, the year-end looming, not to mention the daily professional and social demands that land on our shoulders…it is sometimes very hard to sneak in that much needed group yoga practice you so need and desire, but what if you could bring a little bit of wellness into your office or conference room?
Satya is the second Yama or moral constraint of Patanjali’s Eight Limbed Path of Yoga. In its essence, Satya is our inner truth compass. The Sanskrit derivative “sat” translates to “true nature.” It is the principle that holds a mirror to one’s face and asks for a raw and honest look at one’s thoughts, words, and actions. Satya asks the question, “Are you living in alignment with your truth?”
While it may seem very straightforward, the question “What is yoga?” is in fact rather complex to answer. Fewer things have more misconceptions than yoga does.
“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
On the surface it seems simple, yet the embodiment of this principle penetrates the deeper layers of our being. Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence. It is foundational to all yogic philosophy and within it we discover that love lies at the root.
Let’s face it: being human isn’t easy. Everyday we are called by curiosity, challenged by confusion and contradiction, confronted with choice, provoked by wonder and awe. We travel a vast emotional landscape, often times getting swept away in a storm of thoughts that pull us far from our bodies, uproot us from our homes and lead us into sentiments of separation. As spirit, living in a human body, we are tasked with the endeavor of exploring our limitless potential within the constraints of our physical reality.
A lot of women wonder if it is okay to practice yoga during menstruation. Aside from avoiding certain postures and keeping the vibe mellow, engaging the body in a healthy yoga routine during moon time can help you both embody more fully, and transcend all at the same time. Here are a few tips for yoga while mooning.
I spent a four-month period immersed in Traditional Hatha Yoga practices and teachings in an ashram in northern India. It was transformative, to say the least. As a base to all the other teachings and philosophies, we were introduced, one by one, into five of the six main shatkarma practices found in the ancient Ayurvedic texts which later inspired hatha yoga texts such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Svatmarama.
While practicing yoga and meditation in a class or in the privacy of your own home brings about amazing health and spiritual benefits, it is every yogi’s dream to embark on the transcendental journey that only yoga retreats can provide.