breathe – Breath is key to life and to the yoga practice, and chanting is one of the fastest ways to tap into a full breath. We chant mantras (from manas, the ancient Vedic word for the mind, and tra meaning instrumentality) not only to invoke the powerful vibrations contained in its specific words but also to unlock, deepen, fuel the breath for the physical and spiritual practice.

move - The third limb of Ashtanga Yoga, the Eight-Limbed Path, is asana. Asana is our seat upon the Earth, and is sometimes translated as yoga posture. In the vinyasa practice we thread the asanas into a mystical dance, the body gets stronger, and the movement becomes medicine. It is only with a strong, pliable body that we will learn to happily sit and be.

rejoice - The final niyama is Ishvara Pranidhana which means surrender to the Divine. In this surrender it is possible to be devoted, release the ego, and approach the wonder of life an awe and gratitude allowing us to see the presence of the Divine all around us. With this mood we enter a state of atmaramah, the space where we REJOICE in the Self.