3rd Limb of Yoga- Asana
(physical postures)

Practicing yoga asanas help us to balance the vital energies of the body; masculine/feminine, light/dark, sun/moon.

The yoga asanas were designed to be practiced with breath awareness and deep relaxation.  Without these other elements, the postures can cause injury and imbalance.

Each pose should be steady and sweet.  Effortless and comfortable.

Our physical and subtle bodies align as we link movement to breath and turn our focus inward.

"As the body finds its ease, the mind and emotions align with it" p 226

Yoga asanas prepare the body for the deeper limbs of yoga, including seated meditation.

"Rhythmical breathing coordinated with this movement releases blockages and allows energy to flow.  When it is flowing normally and rhythmically, the breath distributes energy through pathways, which encourage relaxation and the ability to stretch further." p 227

There are countless styles of yoga available to us in the West.  Take into account your own temperament and choose a style that will promote balance.

"As the practice is established, it affords flexibility of body, mind, and emotions.  With this comes balance and the yearning to be still and know yourself." p 229

(quotes taken from The Secret Power of Yoga, by Nischala Joy Devi)

2nd Limb of Yoga- Niyamas
(5 more ways to cultivate stability of mind in your daily life)


Saucha (the first niyama)- simplicity

Simple yoga sequence

Simple balance between too much and not enough in your yoga postures. Leave the dialogue at that.

Watch how you complicate your day, watch how you complicate your relationships.  "The blessings come when we can embrace simplicity, making our lives easier and more joyous" (The Secret Power of Yoga, by Nischala Joy Devi p. 209)

Simplify your food.  Saucha can also be defined as purity.  Eat real foods, simply and lovingly prepared.

Simplify your clothing: comfortable, natural.  Feel the difference when you dress comfortably.

Simplify your environment, the rooms in your house.  Donate things you don't use or need.  Get rid of the things that negatively affect your mood.

Simplify your inner dialogue. Letting go means dropping the story line.


Another aspect of saucha is the ability to be emotionally light. We tend to take situations and ourselves much too seriously.


How do you feel when you cultivate saucha in your daily life?

1st Limb of Yoga- Yamas
(5 ways to cultivate stability of mind in your daily life)


Ahimsa (the primary yama)- non violence, or compassion for all beings and things

Notice the aliveness of the floor, the mat. Step gently and carefully as if you didn't want to harm it.

Non violence on the level of action. Move through your practice, your day, as if you didn't want to harm the objects around you. Close the car door carefully. Walk gently on the ground.

Notice the state of your mind as you cultivate ahimsa.

Doubtlessness teaching

Not doubting your own capacity to open your heart and mind

Not doubting your own basic goodness

Not doubting your fundamental okay-ness in terms of being able to dispel your own darkness

- Pema Chodron
from the "Smile at Fear" audio cd's

Another reason we're able to successfully place our mind on the breath is that we have confidence in the reasons why we're meditating.  We do it with enthusiasm because we know it will bring us peace.  We see the futility of outside concerns, fantasies, thoughts, and emotions.  We're willing to give them up at least for the period of our meditation because we see the benefits of doing so.  Placement has become a reasonable thing to do.

- Turning The Mind Into An Ally by Sakyong Mipham
p. 118