Practical Philosophy: Pt 2 the Niyamas

To know some of the the Yogic principles is to know why exactly you are doing these movements in the first place. In other words, the ideas that are inherent in the Yogic scriptures give us some context for all this content.

In this workshop we'll be delving into the Niyamas following on from our talk about the Yamas in December/

These are an important component of the Ashtanga Yoga system propounded by Patanjali 2,500 years ago. Now if you've never heard of them, don't worry. No previous knowledge is required. In-fact, no previous knowledge is probably a better place to take this in!

For now, all you need to know is that the Niyamas are 'perhaps' a more personal set of truths to live by in comparison to the Yamas, which in many ways help us to relate to society at large.

Sometimes you'll see it sold as a set of do's and don'ts, but to be honest this isn't always very productive nor true to the deeper meaning behind it all (in my humble understanding).

The workshop we'll be as follows:

• we'll look at each Niyama in the form of discussion

• discuss their wider meanings outside 'morals'

• see how we can take them into our daily life, into our current mood, into our relationships.

• complete some journaling exercises as a way to set the intention to bring these principles into the new year

• have a short physical practice to feel these teachings as they unfold within the movement

This will be 90 minutes to 2 hours. You'll need a pen, notepad, cushions, cup of tea and a yoga mat! If you have any questions please feel free to ask.