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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Yogic Philosophy

The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight-fold yogic path. Devoted study and practice of these ten principals can literally bring your yoga practice to life throughout all of your daily activities.

The 5 Yamas are ethical guidelines for the yogi, pertaining to his or her relationship with others in society, the outer environment and nature.

Ahimsa (non-violence) asks us to practicing loving kindness towards others and ourselves through a complete commitment to non-violence in thought, word and deed

Satya (truthfulness) encourages us to be genuine and authentic to our inner nature by having integrity and being honorable without concealing the truth, downplaying or exaggerating.

Asteya (non-stealing) is more than simply not taking what is not yours. Asteya asks us not to rob ourselves or others of time, experiences or freedom.

Brahmacharya (non-excess) helps us to practicing moderation in all forms, so as not to deplete ourselves of vital life force energy.

Aparigraha (non-attachment) refers to voluntary simplicity. This principal asks us to not accumulate beyond what is necessary and to voluntarily release things when it is time to let them go.

The 5 Niyamas are ethical guidelines for the yogi, pertaining to observances of one’s Self, without blame or judgment.

Saucha (purity) refers to maintaining cleanliness, orderliness and balance by adopting both internal and external puri cation practices. is involves eating purely, thinking purely and having humility and pride in the human body as a vehicle of experience.

Santosha (contentment) encourages us to practice equanimity and to maintain a peaceful, tranquil mind.

Tapas (discipline) is a taming of the ego as expressed through self-discipline, willpower and patience. rough this discipline, it can be possible to connect with our true spirit without letting ego get in the way.

Svadhyaya (self study) explains that through self-inquiry, mindfulness, discernment and daily journaling, we can become contemplative about how the yogic teachings may apply to our psychology and lifestyle.

Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion) calls for open-heartedness in the form of complete surrender and willingness to serve the source and humanity.

I invite you to reflect on how the Yamas and Niyamas can be applied in your personal yoga practice to help maintain a grounded and balanced physical, mental and emotional body on and off the mat.

Rosie’s Corner
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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