New Offering! Exploring Yoga Philosophy.
Yoga is so more than stretching and breathing on a rubber mat! There’s a beautiful philosophy underlying yoga as a way of life.
It starts with ten moral principles – the yamas and niyamas – that guide us in the way we relate to ourselves, others and the world. As such, these yogic principles form the basis of a calm mind and happy life.
For me (and I’m guessing, for most of us!), cultivating calmness and contentment is an ongoing journey. Life throws us all kinds of curveballs, challenges, distractions. We have to return, again and again, to practices that put us in the way of peace.
Let’s practice together 💛
In my vinyasa flow classes on Wednesday evening (20.15-21.30) @rumahyogaamsterdam we’ll explore the yogic values through meditation and movement. We’ll focus on one value each month, giving ourselves the time to learn, allowing the (ni)yama of that month to become part of our practice on the mat and life off the mat. Everyone is welcome! To practice every Wednesday, or drop by when your schedule allows.
First up is the yama of ahimsa, or non-violence. The sage Patanjali wrote in his Yoga Sutras: Ahimsa pratishthayam tat vaira-tyagah (sutra 2.35). “When there is natural firmness in non-violence, all hostility comes to an end in its presence. Conflict ceases in such a mind.”
Libraries have been written about what this entails, but ahimsa could simply mean to not physically harm yourself, others or nature, respecting all life. Also, ahimsa is to watch your thoughts, let go of negative thinking and mental pressure. In a movement/yoga class, you can practice ahimsa by listening to and respecting the signs your body, challenging but not pushing yourself beyond your physical boundaries.
The world needs more ahimsa. For now, what is one small way in which you practice ahimsa today? 💛
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