Best yoga sf, pilates north beach San Fraancisco

Brahmacharya Yama - Our Highest Conduct

​

There are 10 Yamas and 10 Niyamas - yogic take on human values and ethical practices that help us reach our full potential for personal, spiritual, and professional growth, and to liberate us from the repetitive cycle of suffering. When we live in contradiction to the highest values, when we avoid taking the higher road -  we get stuck in a rat. 

 

This month we are implementing Brahmacharya Yama - the daily practice of redirecting our personal desires and unconscious behaviors into bettering ourselves, our community, and our surrounding environment.  This is where we ask ourselves: does my action align or move me further away from my values? It helps us rise above our addictions and selfish behavior. 

 

Brahma (ब्रह्मा) translates as the highest truth and one reality. Charya (चर्य) translates as behavior, conduct. It is the final, 10th Yama and builds upon all of the previous ones.  Its purpose is to remind us that we are part of the divine while staying grounded and cleaning up our own mess big and small. With moment-to-moment self-awareness and self-regulation practice, we get to eliminate where our words don't align with our actions and observe the inner workings of our mind, what drives and triggers our desires, and which actions keep us stuck and in a loop of harm. 

​

Let's use this month of highest-conduct practice, to contemplate various ways we can align our actions with our highest values for the greatest upliftment of all beings.

​

4 Ways of Practicing Brahmacharya:

​

1. Before going to bed, think of whom have you uplifted today and who has uplifted you.  Appreciate and make a plan to uplift someone tomorrow. 

2. Find what daily habits do not match up with your internal values and are no longer supporting your well-being: whether it's always running late, not being transparent with others, not keeping our surroundings clean, checking Social Media first thing in the morning, watching late-night TV and over-consuming on absolutely anything, excessively chasing sexual desires, or skipping your daily workouts and selfcare routines

3. Act every single day as your Superwoman/man version of yourself who guards the greatest good and can do anything she/he sets their mind to.  Ask for help, and know that you deserve to act on your dreams today, no matter what you used to believe in the past.

4. Seek out Biographical Books and Documentaries about your Sheroes and heroes to stay inspired and see what is possible. Most likely they have overcome a lot and can lead you by example to choose what is right with every decision we make.

​

What other ways I did not mention but would be your Highest Conduct Practice? Please share what are you excited to let go of with us in classes! 

​

​

5 SPIRITUAL RESOURCES I LISTEN TO:

 

1. Adyashanti recordings - he has many recorded sanghas I like listening to on my walks >

2. The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer (constantly, on repeat  - it's a lifelong reminder) >

3. The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. I read it in print in the mornings -contemplative meditations to start my day with >

4. The Spiritual Psychology teacher Michelle Chalfant's Adult Chair Podcast >

5. Weekly recordings from the Spirit Rock The Heart Wisdom Podcast of Jack Kornfield >

​

Every 2 weeks join The Journal Time Katrina is leading to support the community on this self-awareness journey. Journaling is a part of yoga called svadhyaya, self-study, an incredible tool for processing our life experiences and for closing the gap between our values and our actions. Join us in person or via Zoom >

​

​

WHAT CLASSES DOES GLOW OFFER? 

 

At Glow, we teach yoga for all ages as a holistic 8-Limb practice, preserving the richness of its ancient philosophy. Every month we focus on a particular subject which you can see in our Blog. We offer a thoughtful variety of classes: Flow (Strengthening Vinyasa), as well as Yin-Restorative, Meditation+Pranayama, SoundBaths,  Pre/Post-Natal Yoga, 360Barre, Deep Stretch & Self-Massage classes. Please take a look at our current in-person schedule  > 

​

ENJOY OUR WEEKENDS WITH WELLNESS EXPERIENCES

 

Your life is now. Here. In the city. Make it more meaningful, enjoy it, and do something different. We are bringing a variety of holistic leaders and healers to educate, unwind, nurture our spirit, and entertain our curiosity every weekend > 

​

Sending you love, health and peace,

​

Natasha & Glowing Team