Rest as Practice: Why Stillness Is Part of Yoga Teaching Rest is often treated as something we earn after effort. In yoga, it is something we practice *alongside* effort. As teachers, students, and lifelong practitioners, we spend years refining technique, language, sequencing, and presence. Yet many of us were never explicitly taught how to rest *within* the practice—how to pause without disengaging, how to listen without fixing, how to allow stillness to inform teaching rat

(Supports Week 45) Yoga is often described as spiritual, but it is not a religion. Understanding this distinction helps teachers create inclusive, respectful spaces. Spirituality in yoga refers to: Self-inquiry Awareness Connection Meaning-making Religion, by contrast, involves shared doctrines, rituals, and belief systems. Yoga invites exploration without requiring belief. As teachers, our responsibility is to offer practices that are accessible to students of all background

(Supports Week 21) What Is the Eight Limbs of Yoga? The Eight Limbs of Yoga offer a complete framework for living and teaching yoga beyond the physical postures. Rather than a linear ladder, the limbs function as an interconnected system that supports ethical living, embodied practice, and inner clarity. The Eight Limbs are: Yamas Niyamas Asana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samadhi In teacher training, the Eight Limbs serve as a compass. They guide how we move, how we s

Yamas are about our interactions with others. 🧘🏻‍♀️ Yamas Living in Harmony with the World Around You The Yamas are the first limb of yoga and guide how we interact with others . They act as social ethics — compassionate guardrails that shape how a yogi moves through the world. When practiced consistently, they gently shift our worldview and deepen our sense of connection with all beings. 📖 Define It Yama literally translates to “restraint.” These five ethical guidelines i

That is for the student to decide. 🕊️ Spirituality vs. Religion in Yoga Creating Inclusive, Heart-Centered Spaces** Yoga teachers are often told, “I can’t participate because of my religion.” As guides, our role is to offer an environment where every student feels safe, respected, and welcome — regardless of belief system. At Edge Yoga School, we reassure students that yoga is a practice of connecting with the higher self , whatever that means for each individual. It is alw