Today I’d like to touch upon the second step in the 8-limbed path of yoga, the sister to Yama, known as the Niyamas. Yoga Journal gives a very vague definition of the Niyamas, stating merely that they “have to do with self-discipline and spiritual discipline.”
Read MoreThe very first of the 8 limbs is yama, which Yoga Journal defines as “one’s ethical standards and sense of integrity, focusing on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves in life. Yamas are universal practices that relate best to what we know as the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'”
Read MoreLast week I reviewed my argument for why I believe yoga is an excellent complement to counseling & psychotherapy as a tool to achieve optimal mental health. To summarize, yoga prescribes a number of physical, mental, and emotional practices collectively known as the 8-limbs that help alleviate stress & anxiety and can assist recovery from a number of major mental illnesses.
Read MoreAs a licensed mental health counselor and a long-time yoga practitioner, I am a strong supporter of using a combination of practices to help you feel like the best version of yourself. For some of you, this may mean going to therapy to learn new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. For others, you may choose Mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga to help yourself feel more grounded and at-peace. For me: I’ve always believed that using a little bit of both gives you the biggest bang for your buck.
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