by Adrienne | Jul 27, 2026 | FOM
By Kate O’Neal Aitken The third Niyama, or ethical observance, in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is Tapas. The Sanskrit root “tap” translates loosely as “to heat,” “to burn” or “austerity,” although defining tapas as simply a state of severe strictness misses its real...
by swanriver | Jun 30, 2026 | FOM
By Adrienne Edson In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the niyamas are the personal observances that guide how we relate to ourselves. The second of the niyamas is santosha, often translated as contentment. The Sanskrit word comes from sam: completely, and tosha:...
by swanriver | Jun 1, 2026 | FOM
By Kathleen Berry The first of the Niyamas, or observances, is Saucha. Saucha relates to purity and cleanliness, inviting purification into our daily lives. I recall my first time reading Deborah Adele’s The Yamas & Niyamas (a staple on many yoga teacher training...
by swanriver | Apr 30, 2026 | FOM
By Dina Schaefer Non possessiveness Non greed Non attachment A- non Pari-all sides Grah- to seize or grab Aparigraha can be seen in so many spaces in our lives. In our concepts, our beliefs, our relationships, our possessions, our finances, and on and on. In my...
by swanriver | Mar 30, 2026 | FOM
Spring is in full bloom in New Orleans. Life is everywhere—oak trees release pollen, and delicate flowers bloom all around us. Nature shows us the power of creation. In the natural world, life depends on other life to continue. In humans, this drive appears as...
by swanriver | Mar 1, 2026 | FOM
By Joy Meade Yoga develops our awareness of the interplay of our physical and energetic being. Our physical practice of asana, the postures, can give us insights into habits and ways of thinking that may cause us and those around us to suffer. It can be so easy to be...
