Beyond the Pose

Cultivate personal development with the yamas and niyamas of yoga.

Yoga in the Western world often takes a pose-based approach, meaning that practitioners miss out on the philosophical elements of yoga meant to help you and your yoga practice evolve and grow. Beyond the Pose: Lessons From the Yamas and Niyamas for Mindful, Authentic Living brings yoga philosophy to life, with special emphasis on the yamas and niyamas.

The yamas and niyamas are two of the eight limbs of yoga. The yamas lay out a social code of ethics, or how we interact with others, while the niyamas offer guidance on a personal code of ethics—or how we treat ourselves. You will discover how to incorporate both of these in your yoga practice and in your daily life, cultivating a fulfilling yoga practice that doesn’t end when you leave the mat. Chapters explore the following:

The Five Yamas

• Ahimsa (nonviolence)
• Satya (truth)
• Asteya (nonstealing)
• Brahmacharya (moderation)
• Aparigraha (noncoveting)

The Five Niyamas

• Saucha (purity)
• Santosha (contentment)
• Tapas (discipline)
• Svadvaya (self-study)
• Isvara pranidhana (surrender)

Throughout the book, the author describes the importance of each of these and why they are a vital part of a well-rounded yoga practice. Personal examples of how the yamas and niyamas have manifested in her own life shed light on these often-overlooked aspects of yoga philosophy. Reflections and journal prompts in each chapter also provide opportunities for you to look inward and consider how the yamas and niyamas play a role in your life.

The practice of yoga dates back 6,000 years and serves as a beautiful way to cultivate personal growth and develop a true sense of love for the self—which is reflected in the way we connect with others. Yoga often finds you when you need it most, and Beyond the Pose will be there, ready to help you navigate these essential elements of your yoga practice.

Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.

Audience

Yoga practitioners and yoga instructors.

Part I. Yamas—Social Code
Chapter 1. Ahisma—Nonviolence
Violence Toward Others
Violence Toward Self
Finding Ahimsa
A Reflection on Ahimsa

Chapter 2. Satya—Truth
Truthfulness Within
Living Your Truth
A Reflection on Satya

Chapter 3. Asteya—Nonstealing
Lessons in Not Having Enough
Identify Your Patterns of Not Being Enough
A Reflection on Asteya

Chapter 4. Brahmacharya—Moderation
Giving Until It Hurts
Practicing a Sattvic Lifestyle
Physiological Responses to Stress
The Slow Burn
A Reflection on Brahmacharya

Chapter 5. Aparigraha—Noncoveting
Releasing Attachment
A Story of Attachment
Letting Go of Fear and Pain
A Reflection on Aparigraha

Part II. Niyamas—Personal Code
Chapter 6. Saucha—Purity
Clearing the Clutter
Lessons in Organization
Purity of Mind
Purify Through Daily Practice
A Reflection on Saucha

Chapter 7. Santosha—Contentment
Battling Acceptance of What Is
Allow Contentment Through Meditation
A Reflection on Santosha

Chapter 8. Tapas—Discipline
Committing to Daily Practice
Connecting to Our Layers of Self
A Reflection on Tapas

Chapter 9. Svadyaya—Self-Study
Doing the Inner Work
Searching Within Rather Than Outside Our Self
The Study of Self
A Reflection on Svadyaya

Chapter 10. Isvara Pranidhana—Surrender
Surrendering to the Subconscious
My Personal Surrender
Let Your Light Shine
A Reflection on Isvara Pranidhana

Lisa Greenbaum, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, is an award-winning fitness presenter with 25 years of teaching experience. She is the founder of Sangha Yoga Collective, certifying yoga teachers in a hybrid and module-based curriculum. She has worked with countless individuals, using yoga-based practices to release stored trauma from the body, ease chronic pain and tension, and find a deeper connection to self. Specializing in yoga for trauma and mental well-being, Greenbaum is known for bringing an easygoing style to her teaching and encouraging everyone to honor and connect to themselves.

Greenbaum has been recognized five times as a Top 100 Health and Fitness Influencer in Canada, was one of Impact Magazine’s Top Fitness Trainers and Instructors for 2025, and was honored as canfitpro’s Canadian Presenter of the Year for 2018. She has logged over 1,000 hours of formal yoga training and 5,000 hours of teaching. Considered a change maker in the fitness and wellness industry, she shines in her work in sharing how we can improve our mental health and well-being through yoga.

Greenbaum spent eight years as director of an international yoga school before setting out on her own with the mission to honor yogic culture and once again bring yoga philosophy and meditation forward as an imperative part of yoga practice and teachings. She is an international presenter and author and has devoted her entire career to making a difference in the yoga and wellness industry.