Svadhyaya: Studying the Self
Monthly Theme by Wessel Paternotte
August 2017
The theme of the month is Svadhyaya, the fourth of the niyamas from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The term Svadhyaya stems from the words Sva (Self or Soul) and Shyaya, which comes from dhyia (to meditate, study or contemplate) and so Svadhyaya means Studying the Self. DJ Khaled would call this a Holy Key, as knowing your Self, and being your Self, is what yoga is all about. I write 'self' with capital S because the Self Patanjali is referring to, goes beyond our persona with its preferences, desires, and aversions. By contemplating ourselves, ultimately we’ll go beyond the boundaries of our thoughts and emotions, and connect with the pure consciousness that lies deep within: the Self. The most common way to study our Self is to read inspiring books, blogs and articles. And yes, a good audiobook or video is just fine too. Going to lectures, seminars or trainings also helps us understand our deeper nature. Asana practice also offers a great way to explore Svadhyaya. When we stay present with each and every moment, we can see how our mind reacts, experience any emotions that show up, and listen to the ebb and flow of our breath. Another way to study the Self is by chanting mantras. By reciting sacred words like Om, our attention is focused on that word, and ultimately all other thoughts fall away. We arrive fully into the present moment and experience the pure consciousness within us. This is what we call the external practice, where we take in knowledge that reminds us of who (or what) we really are. Once we start to process the knowledge that we find in our external practice, the internal practice of Svadhyaya begins. First we might intellectually understand something we read, but over time we integrate it and we can feel it in our heart. For example, when I first read about the Law of Correspondence, I understood it as As Within, So Without, As above, So below. I was excited about the concept of my thoughts (within) creating my world (without), and I started to play around with it. After some years of practice and contemplation I slowly started to integrate the second part, realizing that the divine (above) is within me (below). Mind blown. When we practice self-reflecting contemplation, the nature of being begins to dawn in our mind. First we find knowledge from an external source, then we find it from our inner source, and then we realize that WE ARE THE SOURCE. The infinite wisdom awakens in us. Love, Compassion and Delight are fully available to us. This is the practice of Svadhyaya. All my love, Wessel
Meditation & Compassion Courses
Article by Kimberly Poppe
August 2017
Beginning again in September, Kimberly Poppe will offer a series of courses exploring meditation and compassion practices. They will be intimate in size (max 10 people per course) so there will be lots of opportunity for personal attention. Included as part of your regular subscription, each one of these courses will run for four (or in some cases five) weeks.
Upcoming month: Special Classes
Article by Delight Yoga
August 2017
Special Classes Yoga has so many more qualities than just the physical practice on the mat (asana). You may have experienced some magic during a class, leaving energized and relaxed and with a feeling of more spaciousness. But in fact, this magical feeling can stay with you when you take the practice with you off the mat. The key is to apply yoga into our daily lives and to experience the present Now in all little things we do.
Special Class: OM, Its Meaning and Significance
Article by Delight Yoga
August 2017
OM, Its Meaning and Significance - Special Class Om is the name of Ishwara, the Lord, according to the Vedas, Bhagavad-Gita and Yoga Sutra. The sound of Om is considered most auspicious. Most mantras and prayers begin with Om. Om, however, is a mantra by itself. As far as symbols go, Om is truly Omnipresent.
Revisiting the intensive teacher training (200hrs)
Article by Dolores Höppener
July 2017
Now, I feel what it is to be a spiritual being having a human experience. Now, I - and every particle in my body - know why I practice yoga on the mat. Now, I really dare to choose to be the Light. Now, I have the tools to stay Here. Now, I operate with faith.
August: Tapas - Inner Fire and Selfless Love
Monthly Theme by Wessel Paternotte
July 2017
TĀPAS Inner Fire & Selfless Love Tāpas, the third of the niyamas from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, has been translated into English as heat, spiritual austerities, self-discipline and inner fire. Through Tāpas, mastery of the body, mind and senses can be achieved. Think of Tāpas as a flame inside of you, which motivates you and keeps you on track with what is really important in life.
July: Santosha - Contentment
Monthly Theme by Wessel Paternotte
June 2017
- SANTOSHA - This month we focus on the practice of Santosha, developing contentment and equanimity of mind. I believe the first time I heard the word equanimity was during my first vipassana retreat. The teacher, S.N. Goenka, was speaking about it a lot. He told me that I should keep a calm, content and equanimous mind, no matter what the circumstances may be.
International Yoga Day
Article by Delight Yoga
June 2017
Come and celebrate International Yoga Day with us on June 21st. During International Yoga Day we celebrate yoga and that it embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action.
The essence of Immortality: A Sacred practice by Ven Maritika Rinpoche
Article by Katiza Satya
May 2017
Ohm ॐ, We are honored to have received the teachings and blessings of Maratika Rinpoche at Delight Yoga on May 15th and 18th. We are very grateful to share one of his teachings transmitted in Amsterdam on May 18th, 2017 through this blog. Besides the texts, we hereby share the pictures for visualization of HRIH and Buddha Amitayus with you also.
June: Saucha - purity, cleanliness and clearness
Monthly Theme by Wessel Paternotte
May 2017
When I first heard about the niyamas as being the rules of yoga, I was not a fan. I never liked rules and I had a slight tendency of breaking them. Luckily, over the years my perception changed, and I began to understand that the niyamas are not meant as rules that you simply must follow to be a good person. I began to appreciate them as spiritual, mystical and yet very practical guidelines for a happy life. And I love being happy.
May: Aparigraha - Non-attachment
Monthly Theme by Maarten van Huijstee
April 2017
In the Theme of the Month of May I will reflect on the fifth and last Yama: Aparigraha. The Yamas, “the don’ts”, are considered the natural laws of Yoga and thus Aparigraha is one of the five essential restraints. The word Aparigraha stems from the word parigrah which means ‘to crave’, ‘to seek’ and 'to seize’ possessions. It not only means the action but also includes the intent; the attitude of craving and possessiveness.
April: Brahmacharya - Follow the Universal self inside
Monthly Theme by Maarten van Huijstee
March 2017
Brahmacharya In this Theme of the Month I will reflect on the fourth Yama “Brahmacharya”. The Yamas are an integral part of the path of Yoga and are seen as the natural laws of life which are guiding our action, words and thoughts.
March: Asteya - Non-stealing
Monthly Theme by Maarten van Huijstee
February 2017
Asteya In the Theme of the Month of March I'll be continuing my exploration of the Yamas, which are seen as the natural laws of Yoga and apply to all aspects of life, including restraints in one's actions, words and thoughts. This month we will reflect on the third Yamas, "Asteya", which translates to "non-stealing".
On the schedule: meditation courses
Article by Delight Yoga
February 2017
When you practice meditation on a regular basis, you can experience beautiful benefits. From better concentration to less stress. But it needs practice! That's why we are offering four of our weekly meditation classes in a course format. You can follow them in sequence as a three/four month-course or take each separately—depending on your preference and wishes.
February: Satya - Truthfulness
Monthly Theme by Maarten van Huijstee
February 2017
Satya As mentioned in the January, I’ll be writing the Theme of the Months in 2017 about the five Yamas, an integral part of the eightfold path of Yoga. The Yamas are seen as the natural laws of Yoga which apply broadly in life and include self-restraints in one's action, words and thoughts. In February we’ll be having a closer look at the second Yama “Satya” which translates to “Truthfulness”
Open Days 11+12 February: free yoga at Weteringschans!
Article by Delight Yoga
January 2017
Open days 11 and 12 February at Weteringschans 53! Don't we all have this friend, family member, neighbour or colleague who says he/she will try yoga one day but never does? In the weekend of 11 and 12 February Delight Yoga offers an open day weekend: Free yoga all weekend - so no more excuses! If they're still hesitating, tell them there will also be free clearings and massages, that will do the job :)
January: Ahimsa - non violence, non harming
Monthly Theme by Maarten van Huijstee
December 2016
Ahimsa Several weeks ago, my teacher, Katiza Satya asked me to write the Theme of the Month for the first months of 2017. I was asked to write about the five "Yamas", one of the limbs of the eightfold path of Yoga. The Yamas are seen as the natural laws of Yoga which apply broadly in life and include self-restraints in one's action, words and thoughts. In January we start with "Ahimsa" which literally means "do not harm".
The Delight of Being
Article by Juno Burger
November 2016
The Delight of Being A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side.
December: Just being is enough
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
November 2016
Maybe you have this experience that you are thinking to much. We are always planning, worrying, solving some problem, judging what we see as good or bad, liking or disliking. Is there ever a time when we are just being? Simply experiencing life as it is in whatever colour, sound, taste and touch is unfolding NOW by NOW, is a rare event.
November: The importance of self practice
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
October 2016
Do you have a practice of yoga that you do regularly at home by yourself? If the answer is yes then you may have understood what is the real meaning of yoga practice: to dive deeply into yourself and find what is truth.
October: Hatha Yoga Part 4 of 4
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
September 2016
Hatha Yoga Part 4 Mudra, Bandha and Kundalini Energy udghāṭayetkapāṭaṃ tu yathā kuṃchikayā haṭhāt | kuṇḍalinyā tathā yoghī mokṣhadvāraṃ vibhedayet || 105 || As a door is opened with a key, so the Yogî opens the door of mukti by opening Kuṇḍalinî by means of Haṭha Yoga.
Why do you want to meditate?
Article by Dana Marshall
September 2016
Why do you want to meditate? At ten years old, sitting in front of meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, I was asked “ Why do you want to meditate?”
Practicing from the inside: Vijnana Yoga
Article by Shirley Woods
August 2016
Practicing from the inside: Vijnana Yoga We asked expert Shirley Woods to explain a bit more about the principles of vijnana yoga. What is it exactly, how does practicing from the inside work?
September: Hatha Yoga Part 3 of 4
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
August 2016
Hatha Yoga part 3 Part 3. Pranayama practice according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: athāsane dṝdhe yoghī vaśī hita-mitāśanaḥ | ghurūpadiṣhṭa-mārgheṇa prāṇāyāmānsamabhyaset || 1 ||
Breathing in Ecstasy!
Article by Arno Nistal Ten Veen
August 2016
Breathing in Ecstasy! In this article Arno gives you some insights in how the way you breathe is directly related to how you feel, and how you exchange energy with life itself with all of your life…
Erica Jago Back at Delight Yoga!
Article by Delight Yoga
August 2016
Erica Jago will be back at Delight Yoga and will be guiding workshops, special classes and some regular classes:
August: Hatha Yoga Part 2 of 4
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
July 2016
Hatha Yoga part 2 Part 2. Asana practice according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: The second chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika explains asana as the foundation of the Hatha Yoga training.
Finding Sanity in an Insane World
Article by Kimberly Poppe
July 2016
Finding Sanity in an Insane World Each morning when I wake up and look at the news, it feels like the world has gone insane and that we are in some apocalyptic horror movie with a script so badly written that no one would believe it is actually real.
July: Hatha Yoga Part 1 of 4
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
July 2016
The purpose of Yoga according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika Hatha Yoga is the system of yoga we follow when we practice yoga asanas, pranayamas, bandhas etc. Any practice that involves these aspects is Hatha Yoga, every "style" of yoga you are practicing it is directly related to Hatha Yoga.
May: Bhakti Yoga Part 2 of 2
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
June 2016
The way of the heart, devotion and sacred space. This month's theme from the Bhagavad Gita is a continuation of last months theme: the path of "Bhakti " yoga, the yoga of opening the heart in devotion.
Opening Weekend Prinseneiland
Article by Delight Yoga
May 2016
Yes! As you might know, we're opening up our fourth yoga school in Amsterdam on Prinseneiland. We're really excited that we're heading towards the Opening weekend! In the weekend of 14/15 May everybody is welcome to join us for some free(!) yoga classes, meditation, pranayama, massages, healings, clearings, music and satsang.
Delightful Meditation Classes
Article by Delight Yoga
May 2016
Meditation classes at Delight Yoga We've created a new set up for the Delight Meditation classes. We've identified five styles of meditation, that are now taught at our Delight Yoga schools. You can find the following one hour classes on our regular schedule of both Amsterdam and Den Haag.
June: Jñana Yoga, or the Yoga of Knowledge
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
April 2016
Theme of the month May 2016 jñāna yoga, or the yoga of knowledge This month's theme from the Bhagavad Gita is the path of jñāna yoga, or the yoga of knowledge. jñāna is not knowledge in the same way we normally understand the word. jñāna is like a fire that burns away that which is not true.
Product of the month - April
Article by Delight Yoga
April 2016
Yogandha oils Boost your wellbeing naturally with aroma therapy ‘Gandha’ is sanskrit for fragrance and the fragrant substances made from woods, herbs, plants and resins: sandalwood, myrrh, cedarwood, jasmine, etc.
April: Bhakti Yoga Part 1 of 2
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
March 2016
Bhakti Yoga This month we continue with the paths of yoga as described by the Bhagavad-gītā. The path of Bhakti Yoga is described in the Gita as the quickest and most powerful of the paths of Yoga. The whole of the Bhagavad-gītā is a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna.
The Path of Krishnamacharya
Article by Adela Serrano
March 2016
Tirumali Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) is also known as “The Father of Modern Yoga”. He was born in the south of India, in a Brahmin family and was trained in the study of the Vedas by his father, the Vedas are the basis of what is known as Hinduism.
Product of the month - March
Article by Delight Yoga
March 2016
Pukka's Wholistic Trikatu - recommended by Victoria Hyndman (Ayurvedic Expert) As we are nearing the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this is the time of year when we start to get colds.
March: Karma Yoga
Monthly Theme by Kevin Sahaj
March 2016
Theme of the month March 2016 We will start this month with the first of the Yogas from the Bhagavad Gītā: Karma Yoga. Karma Yoga is the path to realization by acting selflessly in the world with the knowledge of our inherent interdependence with all things.
Pleasure by Buddha
Poem by Delight Yoga
February 2016
Whoever gives oneself to distractions and does not give oneself to meditation, forgetting true purpose and grasping at pleasure, will eventually envy the one who practices meditation.
Loosen your grip
Poem by Deborah Quibell
February 2016
Loosen your grip. Give yourself permission to be imperfect. Don't seek what others are seeking, unless it echoes in your bones. Spit out whatever you have ingested about not being enough. Your realness is delicious. And you don't need to obsess any longer about finding your path. Start simple. Tie a string from your heart to your feet And only walk in the direction that makes you tick.
Find your sacred space with Tijn Touber
Article by Michel Fijn
February 2016
Once upon a time there was a man; a virtuoso of the guitar and member of one of Hollands most beloved and famous bands in the eighties, Lois Lane. He seemed to have it all – the most desired woman in Holland and a band who caught even the curious eye of superstar Prince, who would later take the whole ensemble on a world tour – all of them except for this man.
Find your sacred space with Katiza Satya & Kevin Sahaj
Article by Michel Fijn
February 2016
To set foot inside the sacred space of Katiza Satya and Kevin Sahaj is to feel submerged in the very essence of their being. The smell of sandalwood incense, the simple tones of dark wood, earthly colours and matted white walls, the many statues and tokens of those who represent the divine, holding the space that is their home now;
The mind, meditation and creativity
Article by Deborah Quibell
February 2016
Every creative knows that our most valuable resource is not our mac, our Leica camera, new oil paints, or the latest high-tech software. It is our mind. Creativity erupts from ideas. And ideas erupt from the mind. But what is the mind, really?
The power of listening
Article by Deborah Quibell
February 2016
I walked in a bit early for the interview. I had been thinking about it for many days, and felt simultaneously excited and immensely settled. I had known the work of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche for some time, but had never had the pleasure to meet him in person.