074: The 8 Limbs [Part 2] with Jennie Lee
On last week’s episode Shannon gave us an overview of The 8 Limbs and on today’s episode, Shannon takes a deeper look with guest Jennie Lee author of True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment.
Jennie Lee is a yoga therapist, teacher, speaker and writer who specializes in Classical Yoga, Meditation and Mindful Wellness. Shannon met Jennie through a post on The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Group. Group members highly recommended Jennie’s book as a fresh look at the 8 limbs and one they use to inform their teaching and personal practice.
It is Jennie’s belief that the 8-fold path is fundamental for yoga teachers to understand and wrote the book with the intention of building a bridge between the classical texts of yoga and what we’re seeing in the yoga practice today. She wanted to make the eight limbs accessible to yoga teachers and students using layman terms with practical applications to everyday life.
Jennie opens up about her life challenges and how The 8 Limbs have helped her navigate the hardest times, how she applies it to her work as a yoga therapist, and her new book Breathing Love: Meditation in Action.
[7:35] Jennie Lee’s yoga journey
[10:15] What is Spiritual Psychology?
[11:40] Shannon asks Jennie what inspired her to write a book that explores the yoga sutras in depth
[15:05] Jennie Lee takes a look at Saucha (found within the Niyamas) and how the principle can be applied to in our everyday lives
[18:30] The last 4 sutras: Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi- their similarities and differences
[20:55] Is it possible for humans to experience Samadhi and Jennie Lee’s caution around trying to reach this state
[24:00] The emphasis put on Asana by 20th Century Western culture
[26:10] How can a yoga teacher bring the 8 Limbs into their classes
[28:35] The meaning Isvara pranidhana has brought to Jennie’s life, especially when going through difficult times and the benefit of surrendering to the power that is greater than you (for Jennie it is Love)
[32:05] The challenge Jennie Lee has found in practising Pratyahara and how “unplugging” is key
[34:40] Tapas– considering doing less instead of more
[38:00] Dhyana (meditation) and how Jennie has made this an everyday practice and that “not enough time” isn’t a good excuse
[42:10] How the 8 Limbs inform Jennie’s yoga therapy practice
[43:45] How to connect with Jennie
[44:30] Jennie’s new book: Breathing Love: Meditation in Action
[46:45] Shannon’s final thoughts and invitation to join her for Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
Links
Jennie’s Website: Jennie Lee Yoga Therapy
Jennie Lee’s Books:
True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment (2016)
Breathing Love: Meditation in Action (2018)
There is one copy of each book available to win.
To enter, click here and leave a comment at the bottom of the show notes about what The 8 Limbs mean to you.
The Connected Teacher Facebook Group
Follow The Connected Teacher on Youtube
Book a Consultation Call with Shannon
Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training
September 22nd and 23rd, 2018
To Contact our virtual assistant Samantha Scott for website design help and more:
Tech Crazy Va: Website Design, System Efficiencies & Virtual Assistant Services
Gratitude to our Sponsor Schedulicity
Both of these podcasts on the 8 limbs were so interesting. Thank you for giving me fresh perspective and actionable steps for me in my own life and my teaching. I am feeling a shift away from so much asana (especially strong vinyasa classes- not that I don’t like them, but more that I need different as well), so these talks resonated deeply in me. I am excited to put some of these practices to good use- especially saucha today! 🙂
So glad to hear that you found this beneficial. Yoga is such a vast and deep tradition. so much to explore.
Such a great book, True Yoga has changed my practice to the more subtle, deeper inspired simpler life experience. Love the Journaling and Affirmation practices that weave into my life experience. A must read, a gem of inspiration! 🙏 🍃 🙏
Hi Viana, Thank you so much for these kind words about True Yoga. I am so glad you have found it inspiring.Would you be so kind as to leave this comment on an Amazon review? Wishing you blessings, Jennie
I have always been fascinated with yoga philosophy! I really want to share this with students in the classes that I teach. I’ve been grateful recently for my practice beyond asana, as I’ve had to slow that down to take care of my body after a recent surgery. Listening to this gives me the motivation to write about my experience- which I have been meaning to do, but have been putting off getting started. 🙏
that’s wonderful Amy… I highly encourage you to slow down and also to write ! Self care is essential in order to teach well. warmly, Jennie
I was so excited to listen to both of these podcasts on the 8 limbs, since there isn’t much out there in podcast-land on this topic. I hadn’t heard of Jennie Lee’s book, but have inter-library loaned it to take a look (I did that after the first podcast because of Shannon’s comments). After listening to Jennie, I know I’ll need to purchase it. Her perspective on how to integrate these limbs into our whole lives, not just on our mat, was exactly what I needed to hear. I am a career professional in the library field, as well as a leader of yoga teacher trainings – so making sure I am living authentically on and off the mat is huge. And I really connected with her thoughts on Ishvara pranidana and love. Thank you both for an inspiring experience!
thanks Lori! I know you will find lots of valuable resources in the book. Thanks for connecting!
I would LOVE to win and read True Yoga by Jennie Lee!! I really enjoyed listening to this podcast. These last two podcasts on the 8 limbs have really helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the limbs so bring them into my practice, teachings and everyday life. Thank you!
thanks for listening Natalie! Peace and blessings Jennie
I love this podcast so much- really, honestly, the best one so far, and I am recommending this book and podcast to my group of teachers who all trained with me. True yoga is what I strive to teach in every class. Thanks Shannon for your work and creating this connection space for all of us to be better and really be able to share what the truth of yoga is- not just asana.
Thanks so much for recommending True Yoga to your teacher trainers and for living the practice! Namaste, jennie
Great podcast! I am very interested in reading these books and learning more about the 8 limbs and meditation.
thanks for listening and learning Liz!
Congratulations Liz! You are one of the winners of a free book by Jennie Lee! Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for your insight each week. I am genuinely appreciative that I have your voice to escape to when I need to “get right” during my day. I am a yoga teacher myself, and so in love with this life I have chosen. This episode is especially special. I have been led to listen at such a bittersweet time in my life, where I am growing into my dharma, and finally uncovering layers of self inflicted pain and drama. Learning that this path is up to me whether it takes me to a garden or to a desert. I am grateful beyond even my own knowledge~ looking to get a chance at receiving a book by the amazing Jennie Lee (:
~ Namaste, Emerald Estabrook
Blessing to you Emerald. It is wonderful that you are introspecting (swadhyaya) recognizing how you can come into greater alignment with your radiant divine Self! peace and love, Jennie
PS You may really find Breathing Love(my second book) helpful with this particularly
I am in the process of yoga teacher training and want to delve deeper into the study of the Eight Limbs. I’m currently focusing on Tapas, committing to my meditation practice, which I believe will help provide more balance in my life and my yoga practice. Thank you for your valuable information! I’m excited to learn more!
Absolutely Renee! The tapas of cultivating a dedicated meditation practice will make more difference than anything in your evolution!! Best of luck with your efforts. MAy they be blessed, Jennie
I was so excited to hear both of these podcasts on the eight limbs! I have been teaching since 2003 and still struggle with how to integrate them not only into my life in a practical way, but my students as well. These podcast help to bring so much clarity and thought to the limbs! I really loved Shannon’s worksheets and what popped most for me with Jennie Lee is thinking of the higher power as love! That is amazing! I cannot wait to read her book and dig into Shannon’s worksheets. Thank you for this!!
Hi Diane, I am so glad that message about love resonated for you.It is truly my experience and the basis for my second book Breathing Love. Keep integrating the eight limbs- they are a powerful path to freedom and joy!
Thank you Shannon for these podcasts on the 8 Limbs and Jennie for bringing them to life in your books which I need to read! I hope many yoga teachers who focus primarily on asana come into contact with your work and are inspired to create classes which cover more of our wonderful yoga limbs in them 🙏🏻
thank you so much Nicky. I hope so too as there is so much of importance besides asana.Namaste, Jennie
I’ve recently discovered The Connected Yoga Teacher podscast and absolutely love it. This episode in particular has been so useful (as well as Part 1). I’m currently developing a therapeutic yoga group for veterans with PTSD and this really gave me some new inspiration. Thanks Shannon and Jennie!
What a great population to serve Mary with therapeutic yoga. Blessings to you and thanks for listening
I enjoyed both of your podcasts in this mini-series on the eight limbs! Two pieces that I resonated with so much from listening to this particular episode with Jennie Lee were that (1) you need to make an appointment for (self) love. Too often we really do fall back on the crutch of not having enough time. She’s spot on with that! And, (2) practicing yoga is so much more than laying aside 30 minutes for an asana or meditation practice. I can’t tell you how much I loved hearing her say that because we should be living our day with yoga in our hearts and minds. Great podcast, y’all!
Hi Stephanie, thanks for your comments. Its always nice to know what resonates with people. And yes… yoga is a full-life experience and practice and that appointment with Love helps us stay in it! Peace, Jennie
This episode and part 1 couldn’t have come at a better time as I have been learning more about the 8 limbs and how to bring them into my own life off the mat.
Shannon and Jennie Lee, you have presented the simplicity that can exist within the 8 limbs… not that they are simple, just that there are simpler ways to incorporate them into my life.
Thank you for this knowledge and helping me with a roadblock that I had come to with some of my future plans.
namaste.
Dominique
So glad you found it helpful Dominique. They are practices that we live into day by day.
I recently opened a private yoga studio in our home and the practitioners also have access to a private FB Page.
Friday’s are Philosopy Friday’s! This is one of my favorite ways to share the Yoga Sutras and Eight Limb Path with them. The following week I thread the week’s lesson into classes.
Thank you Shannon for last week’s awesome list of activities on how to include the Eight Limbs in every day life. I will be sharing them all with the group!
In the Fall, I will invite clients to a 30-day meditation challenge where we will practice to build the habit of self care into our daily lives.
Thank you both for your perspectives and ideas and for enriching our lives so that we can pay it forward. 5 Star always.
thanks for listening and sharing Barb!
Thanks, Barb! I am so excited to hear that you are discussing yoga philosophy on Fridays and working with people on how to include the 8 limbs into everyday life. Congratulations as well! You are one of the winners of the free book written by Jennie Lee.
Philosophy Friday’s will never be the same! Thank you!!!!!
This podcast was awesome! I have practiced asana yoga for years, but have just committed to start yoga teacher training this January! I suffer from depression anorexia and anxiety. I will retire from the corporate life in about 5 years. My goal is to help mainly young anorectics recover fully through deployment of yoga principals! It has done wonders for me and I can’t wait to read your clarifying book! Thank you thank you! You BOTH are gifts brought into my life!!! E
Blessings Elizabeth… it is not easy to move through the challenges you mentioned. Keep at the practices and they will take you to the remembrance of your true Divine Self.
I absolutely loved these episodes on the 8 limbs! It is such a huge topic and I really liked ways to incorporate them into everyday life 😀
Glad you found them helpful Katrina. Thanks for listening and studying. Namaste, Jennie
Thank you, Shannon & Jennie Lee for such an informative podcast. I have been recently sharing the Yamas with my yoga students. Will begin discussing the Niyamas in September. Would enjoy sharing the 8 Limbs in a way that is more easily understandable to myself and my students. You are providing me an opportunity to do so through the study of your book, Jennie Lee. Thank you!
So glad you are finding True Yoga helpful. That was certainly my intention in writing it! Warm blessings, Jennie
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast while I worked my day job as a librarian. I was processing new books, but had my journal handy and did some of the exercises you suggested.