The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

The first two limbs of the eight-fold path of yoga sutras--the basic text for classical yoga--are examined in this spiritual guide to the practice of yoga. Foundational to all yogic thought, they are considered to be the guidelines to the yoga way of living that free individuals to take ownership of their lives, direct them toward the fulfillment they seek, and gain the skills to choose attitude, thought, and action. The first five guidelines are referred to as the yamas--a Sanskrit word that translates to "restraints"--and encompass nonviolence, truthfulness, not stealing, nonexcess, and nonpossessiveness. The last five are referred to as the niyamas, or observances--purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender. A self-study section at the end of each chapter may also be used by instructors for group discussion.

Deborah Adele has master's degrees in Liberal Studies as well as Theology and Religious Studies. She holds yoga certifications in Kundalini yoga, Hatha yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Meditation, and is an ERYT500. She has also completed training as a Gestalt therapist and a Somatic Educator. Deborah worked for almost 14 years to create Yoga North, which is today a thriving yoga facility, using her combined business and yoga philosophy skills. She is currently writing, lecturing, consulting, and working in her own practice.

Deborah spent three years as a consultant with a Boulder, Colorado-based firm, where she linked the notion of body and breath with organizational development abilities to improve leadership and management in a variety of companies around the country. She has two CDs, The Art of Relaxation and The Practice of Meditation, and writes a regular wellness column for the Duluth News Tribune. Deborah is the founder of Adele & Associates, a firm whose mission is to help people and organizations achieve greater clarity, productivity, and right-living. Deborah is a sharp and imaginative thinker who continually applies her knowledge and expertise to help others live lives that are full of balance, clarity, and well-being, no matter where she is.

Deborah has traveled to India for study and adventure in addition to her business and yoga expertise. She believes it is critical to ask ourselves, What does it mean to be human? on a regular basis. Deborah now lives in Duluth with her Lutheran minister husband, Doug, where their spiritual discussions are very vibrant. Their two kids and four grandchildren brighten her life.

Deborah's website is www.DeborahAdele.com, where you may learn more about her.