The Yamas and Niyama's are ethical precepts to guide a person on how to live a harmonious life. 

Yamas (social ethics)

• Ahimsa: Non-violence, non-harming.
• Satya: Truthfulness, honesty.
• Asteya: Non-stealing, abstaining from theft.
• Brahmacharya: Non-excess, often interpreted as celibacy or moderation.
• Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness, non-hoarding, non-greed. 

Niyamas (personal observances)

• Saucha: Purity, cleanliness of mind, body, and environment.
• Santosha: Contentment, finding joy in what you have.
• Tapas: Self-discipline, austerity, and willpower.
• Svadhyaya: Self-study, contemplation, and introspection.
• Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender to a higher power or divine force. 

Today on my hike, I was thinking about the depth of yoga, and the vast science and philosophy it is. I have been a student of yoga since 2002. 

I live my yoga. It is something I practice, from the time I wake up, to the time I sleep. I make plenty of mistakes. I struggle, I doubt, I get fearful, and I get judgmental. I also feel happy for no reason, and sing and dance with no beers needed. 

I watch my thoughts, and work consistently to shift my thoughts to the moment that is in front of me. If I am really paying attention, I can even sometimes change my perspective, or 'way of being', by catching myself getting caught in habitual patterned thinking or behaving, and shift my attitude just with awareness, and intention. 

This is not easy, and takes patience, consistency, and starts with the power of intention. 

Yoga tells us to wake up each moment that we are alive. Yoga reminds us that our minds are powerful, and need training. Training in the 8 limbed path of yoga, it encompasses the whole of humanity, and gives us many guidelines for how to live lives of integrity, enthusiasm, and compassion. 

We have the Yamas (social ethics) and Niyamas (personal observances). 

Santosha (contentment) is the second niyama. 

Contentment, finding joy in what you have, is going to be the focus of my practice, and teaching this week.

Questions to consider...

👉🏽How would my life unfold this week if contentment was at the heart of all my actions, and thoughts? How might my habitual patterns shift, if I come from a place of enjoying what I have?

👉🏽What does it take to practice contentment? Gratitude, is a big part. 

👉🏽Can I be content even with external chaos and suffering going on all around me? 

👉🏽If I am not content, what is the alternative?

Let's think on these questions, and practice together.

If you go back to the Niyama's, they are personal observances, meaning, they are what we practice on ourselves. The Yama's, reflect how we act in the world, and what we should also hope that others are doing as well. Think of how loving and beautiful the world could be if everyone (especially those in power) followed the rules of yoga? Go back and read the Yamas and think of how our lives would improve if non-harming was the rule all leaders would have to abide by. No wars, no killing, no HARM. This is the legend of Shambala, which I wrote about last week. 

I leave you with not a slew of exercises to think about, but rather a question, or questions to ponder, that provide the underpinning of the WHY, we practice. 

See you on the mat, in-person, and online. And yes, I am going to have some incredible classes for you this week. I don't mess around.😜

See you this week.

Cathy