{dharana}
The sixth limb of yoga is concentration. Assuming you've worked your way through the first five limbs already, then you have a nice clear head to move onto this new goal. Focus your attention on a single point and you can still the mind, preparing yourself for meditation.
Think of this limb as your "be here now". Use your concentration to stay present in the moment.
{asana}
The third limb of yoga is the physical practice. Yoga asana, the pose, were designed to prepare your body to sit for meditation.
Challenge yourself for the next 30-days. Attend a few extra yoga classes. On the days you can’t, roll through some Sun A’s before work your after your workout. Before bead, take a child’s pose, ragdoll, and legs up the wall.
{asana}
The third limb of yoga is the physical practice. Yoga asana, the pose, were designed to prepare your bod y to sit for meditation.
Challenge yourself for the next 30-days. Attend a few extra yoga classes. On the days you can’t, roll through some Sun A’s before work your after your workout. Before bead, take a child’s pose, ragdoll, and legs up the wall.
{ishvara pranidhana}
The last of our five Niyamas, our second limb of yoga, means surrender. This can mean surrendering yo your divinity- God, nature, the present moment – whatever it means to you.
Release attachments to outcomes, release yourself release yourself from judgements, expectations, your ego.
Surrender to the idea that there is something bigger than yourself. You are exactly where you were meant to be and everything is working out.
{svadhyaya}
Self-study. THE LITTLE BOOK OF YOGA says that traditionally this meant “engrossing one’s self in text and scripture”. Today, we may handle it a little differently but always with the same goal: to find your authentic self, to make daily decision that are in line with your life and life goals, and in turn live a more authentic life.
Be honest with yourself. When you feel anger, jealousy, and resentment – get real with yourself about the “why” of it. Take that honest answer (you don’t have to share it) and take the opportunity to grow!
{tapas}
Our third Niyamas is self-discipline. Who couldn’t use a little more of that?!
Tapas mean heat and denotes the passionate commitment required to bring on change. Call upon your tapas in times when you are struggling with your commitment- to self-improvement, holding a tough yoga pose, or struggling to reset temptation.
Next time you’re struggling, imagine hot glowing coals inside you and persevere!
{niyamas}
As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to start talking about the Niyamas.
The second of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, the Niyamas are about personal morality.
With the Yamas (limb 1) we turned outwards looking at our interaction and relationships with the worlds.
Now we turn inward.
