“As soon as you came to existence, as human life, we have a need to seek happiness.” – Sri Dharma Mittra
In this insightful talk from Wanderlust’s Speakeasy, Sri Dharma Mittra explains the root of yoga: Yama. Without Yama there is no yoga, it is the first step in the journey of knowing. But what exactly is Yama? Defined as the ethical precepts set forth in the yoga sutras, is encompasses the first and second set of the eight limbs that form the foundation for spiritual progress along the path to enlightenment. Through stories and personal experience Sri Dharma Mittra explains how a life based on this foundational limb of yoga, Yama, that encompasses compassion, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation and non-hoarding can help you achieve a more successful life and a deeper understanding in your practice.
“All beings want to be happy, they fear violence. It is because of this that we need to find compassion.”
Sri Dharma Mittra first encountered yoga as a teenager before meeting his Guru, Sri Swami Kailashananda. Under his mentorship he became well versed in both Ashtanga and Karma Yoga before finally finding his calling as a Sannyasi, one who renounces the world in order to better deepen their relationship with God. Sri Dharma founded one of the early independent schools of yoga in New York City in 1975 and has taught hundreds of thousands of people the world over in the years since. Sri Dharma continues to disseminate the complete traditional science of yoga through daily classes, workshops and his “Life of a Yogi” Teacher Trainings at the Dharma Yoga New York Center and around the world.
For more information, check out his website.
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Credit information:
Produced by Wanderlust Festival
Filmed by: Circus Picnic
Edited by: Start Motion Media