Sutra Squad

Ep. 34 Sutra 2.40-41 on the First Niyama - Sauca or Cleanliness

This week we climb the limbs of the path of yoga to the Niyamas, the personal practices of the yogi.  The first niyama is sauca (pronounced like “shaucha”) which translat

Ep. 33 Sutra 2.39 on the Fifth Yama - Aparigraha or Non-Covetousness

This week we study the 5th yama, aparigraha, and complete our journey through the yamas - the first limb on the 8-limbed path of Yoga.  Aparigraha is often translated as

Ep. 32 Sutra 2.38 on the Fourth Yama - Brahmacarya or Continence

This week our study brings us to the fourth of the yamas, and perhaps one of the most challenging to understand for western practitioners - brahmacarya - continence, inte

Ep. 31 Sutra 2.37 On the Third Yama - Asteya or Non-Stealing

This week we continue to explore the wisdom of the yamas with the principle of asteya or non-stealing, not taking what is not ours.  There is a literal, surface understan

Ep. 30 Sutra 2.36 On the Second of the Yamas - Satya or Truth

This week we continue our journey through the yamas to the foundational principle of Satya or truth / truthfulness.  The verse teaches that when one is firmly established

Ep. 29 Sutra 2.35 On the First of the Yamas - Ahimsa or Nonviolence / Non-Harming

This week we begin our exploration of the yamas with the first, most fundamental - the principle of ahimsa - not causing harm or nonviolence.  The verse teaches that when

Ep. 25v2 Sutra 2.17 On the Confusion of the Self and Seer

Hi Sutra Squad family - we're repubilshing this episode due to an audio issue, so while slightly out of order hopefully still meaningful! Thanks for listening! We contin

Ep. 28 Sutra 2.32-34 On the Niyamas, Personal Practices of Yoga, and Discernment

We continue our deep exploration of the foundational frameworks of living yoga - now with the the niyamas, or the personal practices of the yogi - sauca (cleanliness), sa

Ep. 27 Sutra 2.30-31 On the Yamas and Moral Observances of Yoga

Now we begin our deep exploration of the foundational frameworks of living yoga - the yamas, or the moral observations of yoga - ahimsa (non-harming or nonviolence), saty

Ep. 26 Sutra 2.29 On the Eight Limbs of Yoga

This week brings us to the beating heart of embodied yoga practice - the sūtra that outlines the Ashtanga system, the 8 limbs or steps in the path of Yoga: yama (moral ob

Ep. 24 Sutra 2.16 On the Suffering that Can Be Avoided

This week we examine a short, simple, profound statement that the suffering that can be avoided should be avoided.  It is a fundamental tenet that we all face obstacles,

Ep. 23 Sutra 2.3 On the Obstacles to Yoga

This week we explore the fundamental obstacles to yoga, as defined in this verse - ignorance or misunderstanding, egoism or “I-am” ness, pleasure, pain or discomfort, and

Ep. 22 Sutra 2.1 on the Sādhana Pāda and Kriya Yoga

On this week’s episode we begin our exploration of the second chapter of the Yoga Sūtra, the Sādhana Pāda - the chapter on Practice.  The first verse in this chapter give

Ep. 21 - Sutra 1.36 On the Effulgent Light Within

This week we look at one of the suggested points of focused attention that can bring clarity & peace of mind - the effulgent inner light within each & every one of us.  T

Ep. 20 - Sutra 1.33 On the Locks and the Keys

This week we come home to exploring the “Locks & Keys”, the attributes that we cultivate to preserve the innate or natural serenity of the yogi’s mind in the face of the

Ep. 19 - Sutras 1.27-29 On the Nature & Meaning of the Sacred Sound OM

This week we explore the nature and meaning of OM, the sacred sound of sound.  OM is spoken, chanted, or recited in many contexts - yoga ãsana classes, meditation practic

Ep. 18 - Sutra 1.23 On the Only Shortcut in Yoga

This week we explore the only “shortcut” offered in the Yoga Sūtra - that by offering full surrender to the divine of our understanding we may accelerate or even reach en

Ep. 17 - Sutras 1.15-16 On the Nature of Detachment

This week we explore the other side of the “formula” by which we achieve yoga & look at the second component - vairagya - detachment.  We explore what it means to discove

Ep. 16 - Sutras 1.13-14 on the Nature of Practice

This week we go deeper into the essential formula by which we achieve yoga & look at the first component - abhyāsa - practice.  We explore what it means to be firmly esta

Ep. 15 - Sutra 1.12 On Practice and Detachment

This week we look at the core of our practice to achieve the state of yoga - practice & detachment.  We are called to cultivate a deep, lifelong, uninterrupted practice w