Winter Term 2025
Yoga Philosophy in Action
Living With the Eight Limbs of Yoga: The Yamas & The Niyamas
Monday 13 January to Monday 31 March 2025 8pm-9.15pm Online
No class on Monday 17 February due to Half Term
Course Cost: £230
Discount Price: £180 – for those on a lower income. Please email Info@nadiaraafat.com to make the discount payment
Classical Hatha Yoga has some key source materials; one of which is The Yoga Sutras attributed to the sage (s) Patanajali sometime between 2nd century BCE and 5th century CE. This book is widely regarded as the one of the key foundation texts for classical hatha yoga with its proposed model of yoga; the eight-limbed Astanga path, forming the foundations for classical hatha yoga practice. Together, the eight limbs of yoga offer us a practice pathway for conscious living and spiritual advancement and represent yoga in its fullest expression – as it is meant to be lived and practiced.
This term we will explore the first two steps of the eight step path; the Yamas (moral discipline) and the Niyamas (spiritual observances) and how they might influence our asana and pranayama practice as well as inform our living.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
Each of the eight ‘limbs’ of the Yoga Sutras, describes a different aspect of the practice; a different step on the pathway to realisation.
- Yama (moral discipline)
- Niyama (observances)
- Asana (physical postures)
- Pranayama (breathing techniques)
- Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (absorption or meditation)
- Samadhi (enlightenment or bliss)
The first two are the Yamas and the Niyamas – our subject matter this term. They can be ‘loosely translated as, and I say loosely because the meaning is much richer than each of the words below translates:
Yamas: Ahimsa: Non Violemce, Satya: Truthfulness, Asteya: Non-Stealing, Brahmacharya: Non Excess and Aparigraha: Non Possessiveness
Niymas: Saucha: Purity, Santosa: Contentment, Tapas: Self-Disciple, Svadhyaya; Self-Study and Ishwara Pranidhana; Surrender
Together these first two steps provide guidance for living with integrity and self-awareness.
Each session will open with a short teaching presentation on the Yama or Niyama in focus; we we will explore the finer meaning of each of these aspects and reflect on how they currently operate in our lives and how we might incorporate each aspect into our living. Then, through the lens of our Asana and Pranayama, we will bring them into our practice.
Over the course of the twelve-week term, with a half term break included, we will explore a variety of evening yoga sequences, and pranayama practices each holding the quality of the teaching we are working with.
My intention is that imbibing these teachings will notably deepen your relationship with your physical practice but inform your living too.
I hope you will join me this January and let the wisdom of the Yamas and the Niyamas support your living and yoga practice this winter.
Payment Possibilities:
5 Class Discount Pass (Valid in Wednesday dynamic hatha class as well):£95
10 Class Discount Pass ( Valid in Wednesday dynamic hatha class as well): £190
