yama & Niyama
a year of self inquiry
a guided exploration of patanjali's yogic principles for life

Many yoga teachers will have studied the yama and niyama in their Yoga Teacher Training but this online course delves deeper, really giving the time, guidance and support necessary to allow these principles to become deeply understood, practised and embedded in your daily life, creating a basis for in-depth self inquiry and spiritual transformation.
Over the course of this year, you will have the opportunity and support necessary to break unhelpful habits and establish news ones in a way that will set you up for a life aligned with your spiritual Self.
Participants will be encouraged to use weekly journaling (written or spoken) as a method of deeply inquiring into your inclinations and motivations, working to observe and change the physical and mental habits that prevent you from living a life aligned with the bliss and freedom which is your true nature.
- the different levels of meaning of each yama and niyama. From the straightforward and obvious to the subtlest, most spiritual aspect;
- how they can be interpreted in a way that makes them relevant and helpful in your daily life, always prioritising their practice leading to a greater sense of lightness and freedom rather than constriction;
- how they fit into some of the broader concepts of yoga philosophy, such as the laws of karma, the three gunas (qualities of nature) and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita;
- what the specific results of practising each of the yama and niyama should be according to the original Sanskrit verses of Patanjali and how this compares with your own experience;
- how adopting these practices and attitudes can help expand your understanding and awareness of Pure Consciousness, the direct experience of which is at the heart of all traditional yoga practice;
- time for sharing and discussing personal reflections;
- each session will end with a short guided meditation.
There will be a private Facebook group for those participating to share their experiences, support each other and ask questions as they come up, which I will frequently be checking in on and answering questions in writing or with video. In order to create a safe space for sharing, you are asked not to discuss other’s personal comments outside of the group.
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If you have any further questions about this course, I’d be happy to answer them. Please get in touch via my contact page.
About the yama and niyama
The yama and niyama are the first two limbs of the eight limbs of yoga, as set out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
They form a solid foundational framework for a life lived according to yogic principles. The five yama focus on the ‘external’ behaviour recommended to live a peaceful life with the people around you and to have a peaceful state of mind. They are: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, self-control (or celibacy), and non-possessiveness.
The five niyama are the practices/attitudes recommended in order to cultivate an internal sense of peace. They are: purification, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and devotion to the highest reality.
Deeper Insight
“I absolutely loved Katharine’s course on the Yama and Niyama. She is so knowledgeable and manages the group perfectly. I gained a lot from joining the group, including a deeper insight into the yama and niyama, it was also a joy to learn alongside others and meet new people. Looking forward to the next time I can join you for another course!!“
Beckie Shuttleworth
Can’t Wait To Learn More!
“Thank you so much Katharine for helping me understand the Upanishads. I really appreciate your explanations and your input. I also thank you so much for answering our questions with kindness and gentleness. Can’t wait to learn more!“
Pierlo Bolla
Very Well Explained
“I recently completed the Advaita Vedanta online course with Katharine. I enjoyed the course very much. The content was very well explained with the use of slides and questions and answer sessions. There was also a WhatsApp group to connect with others on the course and to ask further questions so I never felt alone. The course was also recorded and downloadable so that I can re visit as many times as I like, this is invaluable to me. I would recommend this course if you would like to go deeper into Yoga Philosophy.”
Maxine Thomas
Guided Meditations
“It was the first time I had taken an Advaita Vedanta class from a Western teacher rather than Indian teachers and Swamis. I benefited from Katharine’s slightly different approach as it allowed me to see things from a different perspective. She provided material in a very clear, structured, and simple manner that was easy to comprehend. One of my favourite parts of her online classes was her guided meditation sessions. Actually, I wished we had more of them :). These guided meditations gave me a chance, then and there, to truly experience what we were covering in theory. Thank you, Katharine!🙏🏻”
Lina Nagyte
Applying Teachings to Everyday Life
“I really enjoyed the Bringing the Gita to Life Course with Katherine. It was a wonderful introduction to the Bhagavad Gita and I now have a much better appreciation of how its teachings can be applied to not just my yoga practice, but also to everyday life. Katherine is extremely knowledgeable and is able to bring meaning and understanding to the spiritual teachings of the Gita. I would highly recommend the course.”
Helen Clarke
Seeing Differently
“I have been studying the Upanishads in Katharine’s online study group for the last 10 weeks. It’s been such a gift that I decided to continue with her for her next round. It’s not my first time reading this beautiful text, but I’ve found through Katharine’s guidance I’m seeing it differently this time around. She has a wonderful way of explaining things, which I can guess comes from both her time spent at an Ashram in India and living her own understanding of the text. I’m in the U.S. and she is in the U.K. Through this zoom study group I’ve had the privilege of meeting people from other parts of the world in a way that I might not have been afforded in real time. If you are a seeker like me, I would highly recommend studying with her. I’m very grateful that I am.”
Karen Powers
She Truly Cares
“I took the “Bringing the Gita to Life” course with Katharine in fall 2021. Our class discussions were rich and profound. I sometimes felt humbled by how much I still had to learn! Katharine led the group in a gentle way, and she truly cared about each of her class members. She always answered our questions. I look forward to learning more from Katharine in the future!”
Chris Klerian
Good Stories and Examples
“Katharine has a great way of explaining things and she gives good stories and examples to bring the point home. She’s extremely well versed in the text of The Bhagavad Gītā and is always very willing to explain any points that do not appear clear on first reading. She does this with good humour and great skill.”
Sylvia Panayioutou
Easy to Understand
“Katharine is an excellent teacher, has an extensive knowledge of Vedanta and knows how to explain the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way. I recommend this course for all those who want to deepen their Yoga practice and evolve in their spiritual path.”
Amelia Barnola
Diving into Truth
“I loved the Advaita course and I found myself missing it after only 6 classes. The two hours almost felt short because it was like satsang. Katharine is a highly skilled teacher—with her knowledge and presence it felt like we would dive into truth and it really benefited me on so many levels. I really would recommend this course.”
Annissa Oceane
Inspiring, Brilliant Teacher
“I have studied a variety of Vedic scriptures under Katharine and have found her to be an inspiring, brilliant and established teacher. She has studied the words of sages and meditated on her own Self for years and is firmly established in the unchanging Truth. Because of her invaluable clarity of expression, patience and natural teaching abilities, I have been able to expand and unfold a deeper awareness of my own Self. I highly recommend her classes to anyone who is genuinely interested in seeking the Truth.”
Kim Burnham
What Yoga Really Is
“Katharine is masterful at translating the fundamental concepts of complex ancient texts and making them applicable to our modern lives. I have studied two different scriptures with her, and always come away feeling not only do I have a better understanding of what yoga really is, most importantly, I have a clearer understanding of who I really am.”