Threads of Yoga: Themes, Reflections, and Meditations To Weave Into Your Practice supports those seeking to learn more about yoga’s deeper spiritual teachings. Yoga draws many practitioners because of its physical benefits, but it is often the experience of peace that people return for. Each short chapter introduces a foundational yogic theme, such as letting go, the breath, the yamas and the niyamas, and the chakra system. Each theme is accompanied by practices, including meditation, complementary poses, breath work, or quotes to contemplate. It is an ideal guide for both practitioners and teachers who want to connect with the spiritual wisdom of yoga, deepen their personal practice, or develop and support a theme for yoga class.  Threads of Yoga helps teachers to bring yogic themes and wisdom into the typical, all-level yoga class.  For yoga practitioners, Threads of Yoga brings deeper wisdom into their home practice.  The book provides specific themes along with instructions on how to skillfully incorporate yogic philosophy into a class setting. While beginning yoga students are often drawn to the practice for its physical benefits, it is the recognition and experience of peace that keeps students coming back. Threads of Yoga provides a resource for instructors to assist in what is often the most difficult aspect of building an excellent yoga class: developing a theme and then supporting that motif throughout the class.  For yoga practitioners, this book provides the deeper wisdom they seek that is often not covered in a class setting. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
INTRODUCTION
How To Use This Book
The Meaning Behind The Movement
Beyond The Postures
The Initiation

PART ONE: Themes and Practices Inspired by the Yoga Sutras
Chapter 1: What Is Yoga?
Chapter 2: Why Quiet the Mind?
Chapter 3: Present Moment Awareness
Chapter 4: Breath
Chapter 5: Prana
Chapter 6: Opening the Heart
Chapter 7: Surrender
Chapter 8: Silence
Chapter 9: Witness
Chapter 10:Meditation

PART TWO: The Yamas and Niyamas
Chapter 11: Introduction to the Yamas and Niyamas

Chapter 12: Ahimsa - Nonviolence
Chapter 13: Satya - Truthfulness
Chapter 14: Asteya - Nonstealing
Chapter 15: Brahmacharya - Moderation
Chapter 16: Aparigraha - Nonpossessiveness
Chapter 17: Saucha - Purity
Chapter 18: Santosha - Contentment
Chapter 19: Tapas - Self-discipline
Chapter 20: Svadhyaya - Self-study
Chapter 21: Ishvara Pranidhana - Surrender

PART THREE: The Chakra System
Chapter 22: Chakra Overview
Chapter 23: Muladhara - The Root Chakra
Chapter 24: Svadhisthana - The Sacral Chakra
Chapter 25: Manipura - The Solar Plexus Chakra
Chapter 26: Anahata - The Heart Chakra
Chapter 27: Vishudha - The Throat Chakra
Chapter 28: Ajna - The Third Eye Chakra
Chapter 29: Sahasrara - The Crown Chakra
Chapter 30: Enlightenment