Living Tantrik Philosophy: Yamas + Niyamas Immersion

THE INVITATION
Join us for an exploration of non-dual Tantrik yamas and niyamas (ethical guides or principles of living) in an immersion bringing yogic philosophy to life.

An invitation to unpack and embody these profound teachings through engaged practice and lively discourse that draws directly from Tantrik texts and lived experience.

We will explore the 10 yamas and 10 niyamas as described in the Śāradā-tilaka or 'Sarasvatī's Ornament'. These extend on and modify the more well known yamas and niyamas of Patanjali and we will explore in the workshop why the philosophy underlying these Tantrik yamas and niyamas may be more suited to the modern day practitioner.

Expect a full spectrum weekend of study, including conversation, journalling, movement, mantra, and more to give you practical and digestible tools to enrich your practice whether you’re a lover of yoga, or a teacher yourself.

What are the yamas and niyamas from the Śāradā-tilaka?

YAMAS
Ahimsa - non-violence
Satya - truth
Asteya - non-stealing
Bramacarya - wise management of sexual energy
Krpa/Daya - mercy, compassion, forgiveness
Arjava - straightforwardness
Kshama - patience, tolerance
Dhrti - calm resolve
Mitahara - consume less
Sauca - cleanliness

NIYAMAS
Tapas - self discipline
Santosa - contentment
Astikya - faith
Dana - giving, generosity
Puja - reverence, worship
Siddharta-Sravana - listening to the teachings
Hri - humility
Mati - pondering, enquiry, discrimination
Japa - repetition (often referring to mantra)
Huta/Homa - offerings into the fire

Among the myriad of Tantrik teachings we’ve explored in our time as yoga practitioners, teachers and nerds, we’ve found these Tantrik yamas and niyamas to be some of the most resonant and useful philosophical guides in coming back to our truest selves and cultivating healthy connection with others. It feels important to keep them alive!

We are absolutely still at the tip of the iceberg in terms of learning about them, understanding them and integrating them into our lives. So this felt like the perfect time to invite you to sit alongside us in our journey, to see if these simple yet deep tools hold some magic for you too.

We are thrilled to explore them with you during this weekend immersion, where discourse and questioning is encouraged and practices are engaged with to bring the theory to life.

WHO IS FACILITATING?
Megan Cowles is a clinical psychologist working with adults with complex trauma in the NHS and privately, an experienced yoga teacher & teacher trainer, a founding director of the Bristol Yoga Roots Project and a nature-based facilitator. She's passionate about embodied wisdom and working reciprocally with nature for the healing and growth of all. She is fascinated by yogic philosophy, which has supported her through her own times of crisis and revelation.

Elena Byers is a movement teacher, arts curator and kirtan leader. She teaches somatic yoga and sacred song rooted in Non-Dual Tantra, community + playfulness; guided by a lifetime of training in the creative body - through contemporary movement, opera and fine art studies. She curates and teaches internationally on retreats, runs regular song circles - sharing a mix of modern medicine song and Vedic mantras - and is passionate about sharing the joy of yoga through community wellbeing projects in schools and with various charities. Forever inspired by how movement can enliven our awareness of the natural rhythms and flow of life within us, she teaches from a place of genuine love for the wider ecosystem of nature, and our place within it.

WHAT DO THE DAYS LOOK LIKE?
We will meet at Space238 in Easton, Bristol over two days:

• Saturday 30th Sept 1-6pm
• Sunday 1st Oct 12.30-17.30pm

A more detailed schedule will follow.

HOW DO I BOOK?
You can purchase tickets through this link. If you would like to avoid booking fees you can also send to PayPal.me/megancowles (selecting friends and family) or to Megan Cowles 11-10-41 00956310. Rates for the two days, including nourishing snacks to support your practice and a pdf info pack of take-home practices:

Standard £120
Community £100
Bursary - by request, one fully funded space or two half price spaces depending on requests received

We can’t wait to share this illuminating work with you!

Elena + Megan
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