The physical Yoga, or Hatha Yoga, was primarily designed to facilitate the real practice of Yoga—namely, the understanding and complete mastery over the mind. So the actual meaning of Yoga is the science of the mind. Traditionally, the word Yoga by itself refers to Raja Yoga, the mental science. With the current burgeoning interest in expanding consciousness and in mental science in general, it is natural that we turn to the ancient science of Raja Yoga. 

Raja Yoga, described as the Path of Concentration and Meditation in the Integral Yoga tradition, is an eight-limbed path for inner peace and happiness. The yamas (abstention) and niyamas (observances), are two limbs that constitute the ethical foundation of the science of Yoga and it is through non-physical practice that we learn tools to live and behave yogically.

Read helpful hints for practicing the Yamas and Niyamas from the Integral Yoga Magazine - Click Here

Join the Integral Yoga Institute New York over the next 10 months as we explore the yamas and niyamas. Through this journey together, we can share practical ways to incorporate these practices into our daily life. When yoga becomes part of our essence, we discover the peace within that we can then share with the world.