A new series of workshops created by Kamie Slegers of Synergize Yoga in Anoka.
Learn the keys to happiness, mindfulness, balance, energy and more. Study the virtues of life through the Yamas and Niyamas of yoga to find more ease and flow through your life. Yoga extends far beyond the physical practice of yoga asana (poses). Yoga is a way of living your life authentic and true to our dharma (life purpose). The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs in the eight-fold yogic path. These are the foundation for a complete life.
In this series of classes, we will explore the virtues of life through the yogic disciplines of the Yamas and Niyamas. The virtues of life consist of: love and forgiveness, courage and gratitude, compassion and truthfulness, dedication and commitment, patients and understanding, self-discipline and wisdom, and surrender.
What are Yamas and Niyamas?
Yamas translates as ethical standards to conduct our life. By following standards, we avoid behaviors that cause: suffering (violence, lying, stealing, greed and wasting energy), create imbalance (grasping, aversion, hatred, and delusion) and limit our personal growth.
Niyamas translate as observances through self-disciplines and spiritual practices. These practices are for the wellbeing of ourselves and others through the removal of ego, limiting identity and obstacles. To create harmony within ourselves and with our external world, uncovering what is already there.
Often guidelines to ethical conduct leave us feeling overwhelmed and defeated or boxed into a set of unrealistic rules. The Yama and Niyama practices do not limit us from living life. These open us up for life’s many possibilities, supporting us on our personal journey of growth. It is our habits that limit our understanding, keeping us stagnant with our full potential out of reach. The practices in this series are easy to incorporate into our life, with long lasting, life changing benefits.
Making changes that last takes discipline, routine and accountability. According to research it takes 21 days to change a habit and 66 days or more to build a long-lasting change. Therefore, we spend time with each one. This allows change to happen over time. Each week builds off the next to continue the pattern of growth and change.
This series runs for five months. The ten disciplines are broken down into two week increments. Each discipline will receive: workshop lecture, homework, Ayurvedic daily routine practices (dinacharya), yoga, meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques) and more. Learn to peel away the layers of misbelief, find your truth, make better choices, calm your emotions, find mental stillness, and create clarity of thinking.
Whole-Hearted Living Series Timeline:
Week #1 (Ahimsa) Peacefulness and Compassion
Happiness begins with Awareness: By becoming peaceful, we experience inner harmony and all out discord ceases. Sutra ii.35
Week #2 (Satya) Truthfulness and Integrity
Integrity creates Courage: When we are established in truthfulness, our thoughts and words manifest effortlessly. Sutra ii.36
Week #3 (Astheya) Generosity and Honesty
Giving creates True Wealth: When firmly anchored in generosity all prosperity comes. Sutra ii.37
Week #4 (Brahmacharya) Self-control and Moderation of Vitality
Vitality is increased through Moderation: Dedicated to self-control, great energy is gained. Sutra ii.38
Week #5 (Aparigraha) Awareness of Abundance and Gratitude
Gratitude brings Abundance: Overcoming envy and fear, we cultivate appreciation and understanding the true purpose of our life. Sutra ii.39
Week #6 (Saucha) Purity and Simplicity
Live the Simple Life: By cultivating purity of the heart, mastery over the sense and one-pointed thought are achieved. Then one becomes fit to behold the soul. Sutra ii.40-ii.41
Week #7 (Santosha) Contentment and Composure
Accepting what is Leads to Contentment: Though contentment ultimate happiness is achieved. Sutra ii.42
Week #8 (Tapas) Right Action and Discipline
Discipline to Reveal Truth: Right and fervent actions facilitate mastery over the senses and reveal the true self within. Sutra ii.43
Week #9 (Svadhaya) Self-Reflection and Soul Searching
Discovery through Self-study: through study of scared texts and introspection one communes with the divine self. Sutra ii.44
Week #10 (Ishvara Pranidhana) Devotion and Surrender
Surrender into Love: Absolute devotion and surrender to the divine enables soul freedom. Sutra ii.45
