The Yoga Sutras are a collection of ancient directions about the mental and physical benefits of yoga. In their original form they are brief concepts, perfect for remembering in an oral tradition, but which require a teacher's explanation to fully understand. Deborah Adele uses a lifetime of learning and study to bring understanding to these essential yoga concepts. The Sutras explain that the Kleshas create versions of the truth for our minds that are the most appealing. These appealing truths are often false, and they create entanglements that prevent us from being truly happy. As we grasp for more appealing truths, we only create a cycle of needs and wants that confusingly never satisfy. The physical and mental practices of yoga are designed to break this cycle of dissatisfaction. This book provides the insight needed to understand the Kleshas and guides the listener to simple attainable practices that they can easily add to their yoga routine.
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.
