Photograph of a Statue of Buddha

What we are searching for is also searching for us. The way is to stop. To let ourselves be found. Stand still.
—Stephen Cope

Photograph by Carla Stangenberg. See full version.

Jaya Yoga Center

Focus of the Month for May

The Niyamas, and Twists

Last month wow! Great work! Everyone knows the yamas in English and a many of you can recite them in Sanskrit as well, this is simply excellent.

Moving on to the second limb of yoga, niyama (Chapter 2 Verse 32 in the Sutras). As the yamas lay out a basic ethical code for our behavior when interacting in the world the niyamas do so on an individual basis. In Light on Life Iyengar calls them "individual ethical observances." Remember these are as essential to our understanding the whole of the practice as tadasana is to undersanding the foundation of our body in standing poses.

Second part of our focus TWISTS—a great physical counter part to the niyamas as they can help up us manifest them physically. Twists are also an excellent tool to help cleanse the body. Spring is on of the two (fall being the other) best times of year to detoxify. We will twist standing, seated, folding forward, and even upside down—putting to good use the stability you found in your inversion practice last month. If you would like to work on any twist inparticular please make a request.