Yama

  • Lecture 6/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Lecture 6/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    The final lecture in this series focuses on the vitarkas (thoughts) and niyamas – śauca (purification), santoṣa (contentment), tapas (discipline), svādhyāya (self study) and iśvara praṇidhāna (surrender to the greater power). Swamiji assures us that the niyama are easy to understand; it is our thoughts – the vitarkas – that making the practice of these […]

  • Lecture 5/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Lecture 5/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Developing on the breathing practices from previous lectures the simple practices here are the first step of a deep exploration of the breathing mechanism, and how this relates to pranayama according to the Yoga Sutras.

  • In Conversation: Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú 2014

    In Conversation: Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú 2014

    At the end of a weekend workshop about the Yama and Niyama, this quiet conversation takes place between Swamiji and one of the participants. Simply listen to this conversation clarifying points about the importance of the practice of the Yamas and Niyamas, the hierarchy of importance within the Yamas themselves, and the meaning of Īśvara […]

  • Lecture 4/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Lecture 4/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    The lecture includes discussion about the first four limbs of Aṣṭanga Yoga – the yama, niyama, āsana and prāṇāyāma. As part of this discussion it outlines a fundamental difference between Hatha yoga and Pātañjali’s Yoga Sutras and the outcome if one doesn’t adopt the yama and Niyama before practising āsana.

  • Lecture 3/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Lecture 3/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    A focus on the Yama and Niyama as stand alone practices. What is the outcome of a life lived contrary to the Yama and Niyama?

  • Lecture 1/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    Lecture 1/6. Spain, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 2014.

    A reading of sūtras 28-45 of the second chapter of Pātañjali’s Yoga Sūtras and their link to suffering opens this lecture. It leads to an exploration of the breath with a particular focus on active and passive, or doing and happening.