Yoga Philosophy › Vidya Heisel

Courses

  • Transformation Course
    Transformation Course

    30 Steps

    Join Zephyr Wildman to progress and extend your yoga practice with dynamic flows and deep meditations.



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  • Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life 2
    Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life 2

    10 Steps

    A 10-class course led by Adam Hocke and Mimi Kuo-Deemer inspired by Buddhism.



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  • Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life 1
    Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life 1

    32 Steps

    This course introduces Patanjali's eight-limbed path.



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Classes

  • The Eighth Limb: Samadhi14:48
    The Eighth Limb: Samadhi

    Vidya Heisel

    In this yoga philosophy class, we explore the concept of Samadhi. Samadhi is the eighth and final limb of Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, and it means enlightenment. This can be quite a challenging concept for us to grasp, but it is often thought of as freedom from the limited sense of self.



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  • The Seventh Limb: Dhyana16:17
    The Seventh Limb: Dhyana

    Vidya Heisel

    The seventh limb of yoga is Dhyana, or meditation. The eight limbs of yoga represent the path of meditation, which is considered to be the greatest tool in our yoga practice to help us experience Samadhi by understanding and mastering the mind to experience equanimity and balance.



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  • The Sixth Limb: Dharana08:50
    The Sixth Limb: Dharana

    Vidya Heisel

    Patanjali's sixth limb of yoga is Dharana, which means concentration. This limb is all about refining your ability to focus and concentrate, so your mind doesn't wander and resist the practice.



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  • The Fifth Limb: Pratyahara10:33
    The Fifth Limb: Pratyahara

    Vidya Heisel

    The fifth limb of yoga is Pratyahara which means withdrawal of the senses or turning inwards. This refers to the first step of meditation after laying the groundwork with the practices in the previous limbs. Withdraw from external stimulus by turning off your phone or retreating to a quiet room for a time and take your attention inwards.



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  • The Fourth Limb: Pranayama14:48
    The Fourth Limb: Pranayama

    Vidya Heisel

    The fourth limb of Patanjali's path is Pranayama which means life force energy. It is thought that the more of this life force energy we can cultivate, the more healthy, awake, alive and aware we will be, and the greater our longevity. Learn about some of the different types of breath work used to practice pranayama.



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  • The Third Limb: Asana17:53
    The Third Limb: Asana

    Vidya Heisel

    Patanjali's third limb of yoga is Asana, or the physical practice of yoga. Despite there being very little mention of yoga postures in the Sutras, asana traditional refers to the practicing of sitting for meditation, which then evolved to encompass the yoga poses we know today.



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  • The Fifth Niyama: Isvara Pranidhana14:16
    The Fifth Niyama: Isvara Pranidhana

    Vidya Heisel

    The fifth and final Niyama is Isvara Pranidhana, or surrender to the absolute. This Niyama is all about how we respond to occurances beyond our control; are we a victim living in fear or can we see and embrace the beauty in the unknown?



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  • The Third Niyama: Tapas15:42
    The Third Niyama: Tapas

    Vidya Heisel

    The third Niyama is Tapas, which means self-discipline. It also translates as 'burning' which can be looked at in a few different ways, including a burning passion for leading a spiritual yogic life.



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  • The Second Niyama: Santosha07:02
    The Second Niyama: Santosha

    Vidya Heisel

    The second Niyama is Santosha, which means contentment. We can look at this Niyama in a couple of ways; to practice contentment with who we are and what we have, and to practice the Yama of Aparigraha, or freedom from greed.



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  • The First Niyama: Saucha17:30
    The First Niyama: Saucha

    Vidya Heisel

    The Niyamas are observances, the first of which is Saucha, which means purity. Both of cleanliness of the body and the space of around us, and purity of thoughts, intentions and behaviour.



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  • The Fifth Yama: Aparigraha09:43
    The Fifth Yama: Aparigraha

    Vidya Heisel

    The fifth and final Yama is Aparigraha, which means 'freedom from greed'. This is one of the key tenants of Buddhism; that we are suffering because we are full of desire. Our ego is always needing or craving something, but our true self is already whole. More things does not necessarily fulfil that hole inside of us!



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  • The Fourth Yama: Brahmacharya20:24
    The Fourth Yama: Brahmacharya

    Vidya Heisel

    The fourth Yama is Brahmacharya, which means celebacy. Traditionally in India, young men would choose between being a wandering yogi or a householder, but today it is acceptable to practice a spiritual life and yoga, and be a householder. But how is this Yama relevent to our lives today in the West when celebacy is not a common way to live?



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  • The Fourth Niyama: Svadyaya09:47
    The Fourth Niyama: Svadyaya

    Vidya Heisel

    The fourth Nimaya is Svadyaya, or study. Traditional it relates to the study of the scriptures which resonate with you. But it also means self-study; contemplating ones own mind, motivations and human nature.



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  • The Third Yama: Asteya08:12
    The Third Yama: Asteya

    Vidya Heisel

    The third Yama is Asteya, which is non-stealing. This means we should not be taking for oneself other people's time, objects and ideas. Vidya also explores the idea of not coveting what others have and being dissatisfied with what you do have, and how we can practice the opposite of that.



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  • The second Yama: Satya11:59
    The second Yama: Satya

    Vidya Heisel

    The second Yama is Satya, or truth. In this talk, Vidya explores this yama and how we can interpret it as a means to be vulnerable, be our true selves and see the world subjectively.



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  • The First Yama: Ahimsa15:32
    The First Yama: Ahimsa

    Vidya Heisel

    The first limb is Yama, and this limb is divided into five restraints. The first of which is Ahimsa, or non-violence. Vidya talks through what non-violence means and how it is practiced.



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  • Introduction to Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga14:40
    Introduction to Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga

    Vidya Heisel

    In this philosophy talk series, Vidya will explore Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga. The goal of this eight-step path is to reach enlightenment. Watch this introductory video first to get an overview of the eight limbs, including the history, context and meaning, and how they can relate to our life today.



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