Atha Yogānuśāsanam - A Yoga Podcast for the 21st Century Khushi Malhotra

In this episode, we reboot our understanding of the Yama & NIyama, and how they provide a giant tree of protection for our spiritual lives. We will take a look at the classical 5 yama and 5 niyama presented by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, but also additional ones that are in the ancient text of the Yoga Yagñavalkya. In the beginning, the yama and niyama may seem like a list of dos and don'ts, but actually they provide a beautiful roadmap of the path to liberation, and how to right the course if we have gone asunder. The beauty of the yama and niyama is that as we deepen in our understanding, their subtly opens to us naturally, rather than something we try or force ourselves to do. They are the beginning of the practice, and strengthen as a by-product of our practice as well.

We will take a look at the following Yama: 1) Ahimsa - Non-harming 2) Satya - Truthfulness 3) Asteya - Non-stealing 4) Brahmacharya - Moderation of the senses 5) Aparigraha - Non-possessiveness 6) Dayā  -Compassion 7) Ārajava - Sincerity/Non-hypocrisy 8) Kṣamā - Forgiveness 8) Dhṛitiḥ - Fortitude and, 9) Mitāhāra - Measured Diet

And the following Niyama: 1) Saucha - Cleanliness [in the Yoga Yagñavalkya, Saucha is part of the Yama; however, Patanjali places saucha in the category of niyama and I have chosen to remain faithful to Patanjali's classification] 2) Santosha - Contentment 3) Tapas - Fire of Discipline 4) Svadhyāya - Self-study thru the Scriptures 5) Iśvara Praṇidhāna - Trustful Surrender 6) Āstikya - Faith in the Dharma 7) Dāna - Generosity 8) Mati - Self-respect 9) Hrī - Humility 10) Japa - Repetition of Mantra, and 11) Vrata - Taking of Sacred Vows

In today's episode of atha yoga I speak with Jörn Materne, pilgrimage guide and meditator, on his experiences leading and guided people on meditation journeys for the last 10 years. Pilgrimages are one of the lesser known unique ways of developing in your journey towards peace. Are pilgrimages still relevant for the modern seeker? And why even consider going on a pilgrimage if you follow a spiritual path? Come join this conversation to get inspired to deepen your practice!
You can find out more about Jörn and his tours on his website: www.dhamma-yatra.com or email him at jomaterne@hotmail.com.

Today’s episode is about the embracing of Bardo - the space between things. As we transition between 2020 and 2021, learn how the teachings of the Bardo can literally change your mind.

In the second round of atha we get into the kleshas or the obstacles to our happiness. How can we overcome the ignorance of the mind, and is ignorance really all that bad?

We start of our first episode of Atha Yogānuśāsanam with a tribute to the very first sutra and what this “atha” or Now means. Join me in an interesting look at sutra 1.1