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Living Yoga: Make Yoga Your Lifestyle
Yoga is more than the practice of asana, or physical postures. Living yoga means integrating the principles of yoga into your thoughts, words and actions; it means taking yoga beyond your mat. Learn more about living yoga and explore a variety of class option such as Tantrik Meditations, Yogic Paths and Injury, Inquiry and Insight to expand your practice.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The Eight Limbs of Yoga are core principles that serve as a compass for living a meaningful and purposeful life.
1. Yamas
Yamas are ethical considerations to help guide interactions with others. There are five yamas:
- Nonviolence (Ahimsa)
- Truthfulness (Satya)
- Non-stealing (Asteya)
- Chastity and fidelity (Brahmacharya)
- Non-coveting (Aparigraha)
At first glance, these considerations mirror the basic morals taught in kindergarten, but have depth in their continued practice. Here are a few alternative versions to consider:
- Ahimsa: practice nonviolence in thought, word and deed; practice self-love
- Satya: tell the truth; opt for silence if your words may harm others
- Asteya: do not steal, even in non-material ways, such as withholding information or time
- Brahmacharya:Â use your energy wisely and with intention;Â avoid excess or overindulgence
- Aparigraha:Â you are enough and you have everything you need already
Please keep in mind that there are many interpretations of the Yamas and Niyamas; find the definitions best suited to your personal practice.
2. Niyamas
The Niyamas are practices that inform self-discipline and worldview. The maxims below generally reflect the essence of each Niyama:
- Saucha: “Leave a place cleaner than you found it” (cleanliness)
- Santosha: “Don’t worry, be happy” (contentment)
- Tapas: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going” (willpower and self-discipline)
- Svadhyaya: “Learn from your mistakes” (study of self and sacred scriptures)
- Ishvara Pranidhana: “Have faith” (surrender to the divine)
3. Asana
Asana refers to the physical postures practiced in yoga. Derived from the root word as in Sanskrit, which means seat, asana is designed to prepare the body and mind for seated meditation. The term asana refers to the ancient yogic tradition of taking a seat close to your teacher. Beyond the physical, asana refers to an outlook that life is full of opportunities to learn, even through obstacles: find the teacher in all things.
Introduction to Tantrik Yoga
Learn the basics of Tantrik Yoga, such as how to use breath, mantra, mudra and awareness to unlock and unfold the hidden potentials that lie within every human being.
4. Pranayama
Breathing is the only bodily function that you perform consciously and unconsciously; it can be voluntary or involuntary. However, breathing patterns, such as a tendency to hold your breath, are indicators of mind and body health. Pranayama is the practice of consciously controlling the breath, of taking your breath back into your own lungs. In Sanskrit, prana is our vital life force, so pranayama is the cultivation and mindful use of life force. Pranayama leads to improved concentration, health, focus, clarity, creativity, purpose and compassion.
5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the practice of withdrawing from external stimuli to enhance internal awareness. Mindfully return to quiet through meditation and removal of distractions. Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to sit or lay quietly with your eyes closed. As your practice grows, your heightened sense of awareness leads to an ability to see things are they are, not as you are. Draw inward, not to silence your senses, but to quiet them enough to see beyond yourself.
6. Dharana
Dharana is the practice of intense concentration, usually focusing on one object, such as the flame of a candle or a picture of a deity. This practice trains the mind in stillness and focus. Start with just a few minutes each day and expand your practice as it serves you. If other thoughts or distractions flicker through your experience, recognize them then let them go.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana is the state of being keenly aware, yet without focus. It is awareness without judgment or attachment; it is peaceful, meditative and precedes complete bliss. It is otherwise known to artists and athletes as the flow state. Consider moments in your life where you were so engrossed in the present that you lost track of time or desire (even for food). The practice of yoga offers a return to this state.
8. Samadhi
Samadhi is a state of ecstasy. It is transcendence, connectivity with the divine, a coupling with the universe, and a mind-body integration of the concept that “all things are one.”
Who is Patanjali?
Patanjali, a revered scholar in the yogic tradition, is credited with authoring the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text for classical yoga. In the Yoga Sutras, the eight limbs are referred to as ashtanga, ashta meaning eight and anga meaning limb in Sanskrit. Patanjali is estimated to have lived in India sometime between the 5th century BCE to 4th century CE.
Get your guide to living yoga featuring Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga.
About the Author
The Mind, Body, Spirit Morning Ritual You Won't Want to Skip
There is definite validity to the phrase “Waking up on the right foot.” What does your day look like when you have an invigorating start that leaves you vitalized and raring to go, versus a bummer morning that you need to overcome before tackling your challenges? Not only are you more productive and centered, but you also have a better mindset and outlook to do what you need to do.
Time recently published Inc.com’s 6 awesome tips that can be transformed into the ultimate morning routine. It takes into consideration your body, mind and even spirituality, if you’re so inclined. Check out the tips with a few extra added twists and takes:
1. Go at least 15 minutes sans screens
How much of our time goes into staring at screens all day ping back and forth on our smartphones, watching endless feeds. There is absolutely zero need to start your day off this way and begin a trend of being at your technology’s beck and call, instead of the other way around. You also be amazed at how much faster you move with your focus on your morning tasks. Plus, it keeps your work-home balance optimal, as you aren’t tempted to check your work emails before you get into the office.
2. Lemon water is your friend
I’ve covered this before, but warm lemon water with fresh organic lemon is an amazing thing, especially when you get to it as the first thing you do in the morning. Aside from nuking that morning breath, its benefits range from helping with digestion to boosting your metabolism. Check out this article on drinking lemon water and add a fresh twist to your morning for the full details.
3. There’s a right way to get out of bed
I was totally unaware of this, but there’s “one best way, if your body allows for it” to get out of bed. You need to roll over onto your right side, then push yourself up into a sitting position before standing with a straight back (no hunching). According to Inc.com, it’s the perfect combination of pressure-free and body-friendly. Instead of jarring your systems, it gently helps prepare your body for the day.
4. Set and affirm your goals for the day
Inc.com only covers setting “feasible goals for the day” (limited to three for achievability), but the power of the spoken word and setting your intention can make an incredible difference. Once you have it down, take a few moments to say it out loud every morning! Eventually, you won’t need the written version, and you can say it by memory. If you say it often enough, you’ll start believing it for yourself.
Affirmations are thought to work scientifically because humans have a thing called a Reticular Activating System (RAS) in their brains. This is like a filter that lets in information that we need and filters out information that we don’t. If we didn’t have this system, we would be bombarded with so much information that our senses would overload, and we would go into massive overwhelm. Instead, our brain registers what matters to us based on our goals, needs, interests, and desires.
When you say an affirmation over and over again, it affects your brain on a very specific level. One thing that happens is that it sends a very clear message to your RAS that this is important to you. When you do that, it gets busy noticing ways to help you achieve your goals. Prepare to be amazed at how many goals you accomplish!
5. Stretch it out
You don’t have to practice yoga if you don’t want to (though that’s definitely an amazing way to stretch your body!). You can, instead, do this from the comfort of your own bed. Inc.com suggests a simple stretched-out-legs-and-arms-overhead movement. If you feel like moving to a padded surface on the floor, you can try a supine twist or whatever feels right. Think about it…your body has been “offline” for many an hour, so warm it up properly.
6. Meditation persuasion
From Oprah to Giselle Bundchen, so many folks swear by meditation. And, as a good reminder from Inc.com, “meditation is only as strict, long, short, boring, or annoying as you make it.” A guided meditation can be an incredible way to start your day, but if you prefer not to travel the more metaphysical, spiritual route, all you really need to do is sit in a comfortable position and focus on clearing your mind. Even less than a minute can make a major difference.
7. Treat breakfast with respect
I’m adding my own here, but listen up. Breakfast is key. Don’t skip it. Don’t McDonald’s it. Quite thinking that if you eat junk, or just a cup of coffee, or nothing at all, that you will be a champion. Your body hasn’t had anything to eat for eight hours or so; it desperately needs quality refueling. Put some thought into what breakfast is best for you, even as far back as the night before, to make sure that you get the nutrition you deserve.
Is hitting the snooze button really worth it? Don’t be defeated by the day; instead, punch the day in the face right from the start!
