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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. Yoga helps us to look deeper into our own behavior, so we can understand our actions, reactions, and beliefs. Why is it important you may ask? Because when we live in contradiction to the highest values when we avoid taking the higher road - we get stuck in a rat.

This month join us in aligning our moment-to-moment living with the value of Santosha - feeling happy and content, which are not as straightforward as we think. The enjoyment of life comes with our ability to be fully aware and present, with each other and with what is here and now. We all have the never-satisfied worm inside that gets out of control and contributes to over-consumption, over-stimulation, overachievement, and digging our health, environment, and our relationships into a hole.

Even the seemingly positive contemporary phrase 'being our best self' can root our self-hatred by not accepting who we are, and all the adversities we face today. If we wait for our happiness in the future, when we're 'the desired version' of ourselves, that's exactly where it will always be, in the future. 

 Both, Yogic and Buddhist philosophies teach us that the only path to contentment is through complete and continuous awareness of the totality of life and death, the hardships, and yet still being with it all, nor judging not pushing for outer things to be our way. There is a path of calm and gratitude while taking steps for the greater good of all beings.

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The monthly contemplations are:

- Can we be aware of our needs, but not wait to be happy only when all will be met?

- Are we accepting and loving ourselves as we are - unique and human, with all the challenges we face?

- Are we letting ourselves feel uncomfortable, sad, lonely, and frustrated, without trying to make it wrong, or escape those experiences by distracting ourselves?

- Are we aware moment to moment of totality and the miracles of life, including the painful ones?

- Considering we're safe, are we capable of being at peace, present, and quiet, without judging what we cannot control?

- Can we stay put, still, and relaxed where we are, and not be obsessed, chasing what is out there?

- Am I connecting to this person for a sacredness of connection, or as a means to a future outcome?

Even when we are caregivers, how beautiful is the fact that we get to help someone who's in need? How can we improve everyone's presence by simply being in our presence? That's the sauce of happiness.​

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Take time this month to contemplate this beautiful practice - see how you can embed it in our daily lives to expand our happiness and gratitude for all blessings, big and small.

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Sending you love, health and peace,

Natasha & Glowing Teachers ❤️