The Yamas and Niyamas

Each Workshop is eligible for 2 Continuing Education Credits.

The practice of the Yamas and Niyamas definitely inspires us to remember that yoga is a way of life - not just something we do for 60 minutes three times a week on a rectangular yoga mat. In fact, if they are interwoven in every fabric of our life, every moment becomes Sadhana (spiritual practice). They add the necessary juice to our practice. 

The late Dr. B. K. S. Iyengar described both the Yamas and Niyamas as the "golden keys to unlock the spiritual gates",  as they transform each action into one that originates from a deeper and more "connected" place within ourselves. From that state of being, we move closer towards wholeness, connectedness, and unity, and start to not just "do" yoga, but live and breathe "yoga" in each and every moment. The application of the Yamas and Niyamas in our life can positively affect the quality of all types of relationships,  mostly the one we have with ourselves, work, co-workers, partners, nature, finances, etc.

We all desire to have the benefits of practicing these ten guidelines or observances. But the benefits are often intangible. In our rush to get on the mat, get moving, and get noticeable and tangible results, we may not spend enough time to understand them, practice them, and gauge their benefits correctly.

This series of workshops were designed to allow us to explore each Yamas and Niyamas, one at a time, so we can fully understand them, practice them on the mat during the workshop, and take it off the mat and into life until we feel ready to explore the following ones.

Each workshop can be taken individually, in no specific order.

Session 1, June 29: Ahimsa (Nonviolence) / Saucha (Purity).       

Session 2, August 24: Satya (Truthfulness) / Santosha (Contentment).     

Session 3,  September 28: Asteya (Nonstealing) / Tapas (Self-Discipline).        

Session 4, October 26: Bramacharya (Nonexcess) / Swadhyaya (Self-Study).  

Session 5, November 23: Aparigraha (Nonpossessiveness)/ Ishvara Pranidana  (Surrender)