Sauca: The Practice of Creating Space Sauca is the first of the five Niyamas, the personal observances that make up the second limb of yoga. It is often translated as purity, cleanliness, and order, but our teachers remind us that sauca is not only about keeping things neat. It is the sacred practice of clearing what obscures ease, function, truth, and our remembrance of who we are. A few months ago, I realized I could no longer reach the back of my closet. Containers, boxes,

What is Aparigraha (non-grasping) not? It is when you want to have all of the answers before action. It's when you sit silent but have something to say; because you want to maintain the image of appropriate/in control or whatever the mask is you cling to not cause waves socially. It is when you hold back because it might be expensive, it might not be the right time, it might be frivolous, so you choose to cling to the known, the comfortable, and the secure. It is when the une

Namaste Kula (edified community) I'm Cody, I'm one of the Asana alchemists. Within the Eight Limbs of Yoga are the Yama & Niyama. The Yama, the personal ethics of dealing with the outside world, and the Niyama, personal observances aimed for growth, are the first two limbs. The Yama that I will share about today is Brahmacharya. Brahmacharya is the mindful use of your precious life force, or prana. We are creative beings, this means we can direct energy. “Where our mind goes,

Asteya. Non-stealing. Sutra 2.37: Asteya pratishthayam sarvaratnopasthanam — when a yogi is established in non-stealing, all gems manifest. Most of us hear that and think, well, I've got this one. I don't shoplift. Check. But the deeper you go with asteya, the more you realize how many layers there are — and how many of them live inside us, in our relationships, in the quiet ways we rob ourselves and others without even realizing it. Here's where it got real for me: stealing

Satya, as one of the five Yamas, means "Truthfulness." At Rasa Yoga, we've been exploring the stages of Community — in the Leadership Development workshop and beyond — and it's been on my mind a lot lately. The first stage of any community is pseudo-community: everyone is pleasant, polite, and non-offensive. That sounds lovely, right? Why mess with a good thing? The problem is, pseudo-community doesn't hold. Over time it tends to dissolve into chaos, then emptiness. But if yo

The Yamas are five ethical observances that guide how we relate to others and ourselves: ahimsa (non-harming), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (cultivating supreme consciousness), and aparigraha (non-grasping). As taught by Patanjali and expanded upon by Padmaji, these are the “Great Vows,” timeless principles that help us recognize where our life force leaks and lovingly redirect our energy toward wholeness. Ahimsa, non-harming, has brought profound

I'm from Ohio originally but I spent the first ten years of my yoga practice at my hOMe studio in Texas. One of the most challenging times in my practice came right after we moved. Not long after we moved from Texas to Ohio, life felt like it was spinning faster than I could keep up. I had a 3-year-old, a newborn, and we had just bought a new house. My husband had started a new job, and everything was new and foreign. Routine? Out the door. Sleep? Nonexistent. My practice? Un

There are moments in life when you know something big is about to happen—the first day of college, standing at the altar before saying...

At the beginning of every year, I sit down with a fresh page and an open heart. I write out my goals — not just resolutions, but...

Lately, in class, I’ve been sharing from the Yoga Sutras, one of the foundational texts of yoga, and reflecting on what yoga truly is. In many spaces, yoga is often equated solely with the physical postures (asana). While yoga is an incredible tool for mobility, strength, and balance, it offers so much more—if you are open to receiving it. The word yoga means to yoke—to bring together, to unify, to reconcile opposites. When practiced in its fullest sense, yoga isn’t just abou

At our yoga studio, the mornings start early—6 a.m. to be exact, with a group of great teachers-Geni, Tara & Agnes leading our sunrise...

There’s something undeniably magical about the early morning hours. The world is quiet, the air is fresh, and a sense of stillness...

One of the most profound benefits of my yoga practice has been the ability to recognize when my mind is trapped in dual thinking. This...

Discover how setting an intention in yoga can transform your practice—and why you don’t need one to still experience profound benefits.

Ever think, "I'm not sure if I'll ever get this done"? Maybe your to-do list is long, and time seems short.

At Rasa Yoga, we want you to get the most out of every class. Here are my top three tips to enhance your yoga experience: 1. Pause Before...

In today's digital age, it's easy to ask yourself, "Why do I need to attend yoga classes in person when I can access them online for free...

Consistency is key, and here’s my number one tip...

Rewind to 2010. I had a hip injury and was in a lot of pain from running and standing all day.

Taught by my mentor, Gracie Alcocer. Commentary by me :) While this list is not exhaustive, it will help you if you would like to live your life in the least masterful way. Sometimes we know what we want by knowing what we don't want first. Compare yourself to others. How else will you know your value? Assume that you know-better and defend yourself. Assume you understand what is happening in the world and with other people's lives. Only train when you feel like it. Don't