Uncover The Everyday Wisdom Of The Yamas & Niyamas - by Leah Sugerman

COURSE

Uncover The Everyday Wisdom Of The Yamas & Niyamas

With Leah Sugerman

In this course, you'll learn all the intricacies of the five yamas (ethical restraints) and the five niyamas (ethical observances) as described by Patanjali in the sacred yogic text, the Yoga Sutras. We’ll explore each of these principles in depth, where they come from, how they can be applied to our everyday lives, and how they influence us on our yogic journey. Each session will offer a different perspective and technique for drawing awareness within to expose our greatest strengths as well as our points of weakness so that we may live more ethical and principled lives. We’ll also experiment with different guided meditations to connect with a deeper sense of morality and self-awareness. Ideally, you’ll walk away from this with a newfound appreciation for your own spiritual revelation and a toolkit of practices that you can utilize to connect you with your highest sense of self. From deeper connection and clearer perspective to mindful awareness, the yamas and niyamas will help you to become grounded and steadfast on your spiritual path for a clearer road to inner peace.

LoveRelationshipsAshtanga YogaRaja YogaYogaSpiritualitySpiritualityWisdomHealth & HappinessGentle RepetitionMovementRaja Yoga MeditationHinduismReligion

Meet your Teacher

Leah Sugerman
New York, NY, USA

Leah Sugerman is a yoga and meditation teacher, writer, and passionate world traveler. For over a decade, Leah has immersed herself in contemplative practices on a quest to explore greater depths. An eternally grateful student, she teaches a fusion of the many different styles of practice that she has studied with a strong emphasis on finding the balance between strength and surrender in all things and a clear attention to the all-powerful magic of awareness. Passionate about sharing all the transformational practices that have affected her so deeply, Leah is an E-RYT 500 who teaches workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings both internationally and online.

read more

10 Days

2.0k students

4.9 stars

14 min / day

Love

English

Lesson 1

Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

In this introductory session, we’ll explore what the yamas and niyamas are and where they come from in yogic philosophy. We’ll then dive into the first yama of this moral code of conduct, ahimsa, to understand the concept of non-violence and how it applies to our everyday lives. We’ll conclude with a simple loving-kindness meditation to put this principle into practice.

read more

Lesson 2

Satya (Non-Falsehood)

Session Two will illuminate the second ethical restraint, satya or non-falsehood. We’ll dive into the philosophy behind this yama and how we can apply this principle of truthfulness in our modern world. And we’ll finish this session with an empowering mantra meditation to tap into our sense of truth and our higher connection with the absolute Truth.

read more

Lesson 3

Asteya (Non-Stealing)

In Session Three, we’ll dive into the third yama asteya, which is the principle of non-stealing and non-coveting. We’ll discover how stealing can be something subtle and how coveting can impact our lives. And we’ll learn how to put this principle into practice on our moral path. This session will culminate with a visualization meditation to give rather than take, and tap into and experience the abundance we already possess.

read more

Lesson 4

Brahmacharya (Celibacy)

Session Four will introduce the fourth ethical restraint - brahmacharya or celibacy. We’ll examine the controversy of this yama as well as its traditional and modern interpretations. We’ll also look at how this practice and principle can be applied in our modern world and end this session by practicing a simple breath practice to create restraint and control in a natural force.

read more

Lesson 5

Aparigraha (Non-Greed)

Session Five will explore the final yama: aparigraha, or the practice of non-greed. We’ll look at how most of us classically view the world and how we can overcome constant desires for more and more. This session will end with a meditative gratitude practice to acknowledge and give thanks for all of the abundance that we have to bring our ethical practice into perspective.

read more

Lesson 6

Saucha (Purity)

In Session Six, we’ll explore the first of the niyamas, saucha or purity. We’ll look at the many ways that we can practice purity and cleanliness on both a physical and metaphysical level. This session will culminate with soothing a pranayama practice and visualization meditation to purify and cleanse.

read more

Lesson 7

Santosha (Contentment)

Session Seven will introduce the concept of santosha, or contentment, and how this principle is the very essence of our highest selves but something that we struggle to reach when we identify with our egos. We’ll finish this session with a very simple meditation practice that emphasizes just being to allow us to become mindful and fulfilled in the present moment.

read more

Lesson 8

Tapas (Self-Discipline)

In Session Eight, we’ll dive into the next niyama, tapas. This principle of self-discipline, austerity, and burning spiritual passion can take on extreme forms, but it also can be an extremely simple practice. We’ll explore this further with a very straightforward but extremely efforted meditation to enhance our practice of tapas.

read more

Lesson 9

Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

In Session Nine, we’ll delve into the deep, mysterious, and fascinating world of svadhyaya, or self-study. We’ll explore how to practice this observance both externally and internally. And we’ll utilize a meditation practice to help us better understand who we are in our deepest essence.

read more

Lesson 10

Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender To The Absolute)

In our final session, we’ll explore the final niyama, ishvara pranidhana, or surrender to the Absolute. We’ll practice a very simple meditation to let go and connect to divinity. We’ll also wrap up everything that we’ve spoken about throughout the course and solidify why this yogic moral code of conduct is so helpful and informative for a spiritual journey.

read more

4.9 (125)

Recent Reviews

Warren

September 21, 2025

I am beginning my new spiritual journey and I found the course to be extremely accessible and enjoyable. Each lesson provided a great introduction to the theory and history of each new concept and then a practical and uplifting meditation to embed and experience the concept. I’ve not had the best experience with spiritual things in my life and this course has helped me to see spiritual things ina different and more positive light .

Kimberly

February 24, 2025

Love Leah! It was great!

Vilhelmina

November 17, 2023

So wise. Thank you for the practices you chose to illustrate each yama and niyama.

Sujjan

August 1, 2023

Very nicely done!

Mark

July 14, 2023

I found this course well thought out and good for bringing a dimension of yogic ethics into my meditation practice.

Kathryn

February 25, 2023

Very much enjoyed this course. Thank you for sharing 💕

Brian

February 24, 2023

Thank you 🙏🏼 for this opportunity to learn about two of the important limbs of the eight-fold path - the yamas and the niyamas. I enjoyed the combination of a dharma talk on the yamas or niyama with a meditation. It was a nice way to deepen my practice.

Jeanne

January 29, 2023

Thank you for this powerful and illuminating course. 🙏

James

November 7, 2022

Brilliant, this is such a good scope of yamas and niyamas. This is so simply put and much easier than reading the sutras 🤭 Thank you!

Bobby

August 10, 2022

Very heart lifting and eye opening. Leah does a fantastic job explaining some ancient rules in a modern sense. Thank you!!

Emily

August 4, 2022

Leah explains the principles clearly and gives examples of how to follow the yogic path to spiritual enlightenment.

Randi

April 26, 2022

Another excellent course-thank you.

Edwin

March 15, 2022

Tender and transforming.

Christen

February 23, 2022

Beautiful course. The teacher Explains these topics in a down to earth way, that helped me learn so much.

Chris

January 4, 2022

This was my second time through the course and won’t be my last. Thank you for helping enlighten my spiritual journey ❤️

Majid

October 1, 2021

A must to listen course.

Jerica

September 26, 2021

♥️ Insightful. Lovely. Poignant. Would highly recommend if you are looking for pillars of discipline. ♥️

CC

September 16, 2021

Great!

Kathy

August 21, 2021

Maximiliano

June 19, 2021

Thank you so much for this great introduction course. I’ve done your previous course here and I love the way you teach and the balance between theory and practice. I was already familiar with the subject but it was great to refresh my understanding of how simple and powerful these principles are. Looking forward for your next course and keep it up the great job. Gratitude.

More from Leah Sugerman

COURSE

4.7

• 10 DAYS

Pranayama: Control Your Breath To Calm Your Mind

by Leah Sugerman

15 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Yoga Nidra For Deep, Restful Sleep

Leah Sugerman

5 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Loving Kindness (Metta) For Deep Connection

Leah Sugerman

21 min

4.6

• GUIDED

Yoga Nidra For Deep Relaxation And Peaceful Sleep

Leah Sugerman

9 min

4.6

• GUIDED

Mindful Sensory Awareness To Calm And Soothe

Leah Sugerman

6 min

4.6

• GUIDED

Diaphragmatic Breath Practice For Instant Stress Relief

Leah Sugerman

6 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Breath Practice For Presence & Relaxation

Leah Sugerman

7 min

4.6

• GUIDED

Full Body Relaxation For Stress Relief

Leah Sugerman

5 min

4.8

• GUIDED

Balancing Pranayama: Nadi Shodhana Alternate Nostril Breath

Leah Sugerman

12 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Chakra Awakening For Balance And Connection

Leah Sugerman

Trusted by 34 million people. It's free.

Insight Timer

Get the app