This week’s article introduces the five Yamas, the first of the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga‘.
The Yamas
The Yamas are primarily concerned with the world around us and our interaction with it. By considering these aspects in our daily practice on and off the yoga mat, all of our decisions and actions come from a more considered, aware and ‘higher’ place, and this enables us to become more authentic towards ourselves and others.
1 Ahimsa (non-violence)
Ahimsa can be interpreted as: not physically harming others, ourselves, or nature; not thinking negative thoughts about others or ourselves; and making sure that what we do and how we do it is done in harmony, rather than causing harm.
2 Satya (truthfulness)
Satya is truthfulness, but it’s more than just telling the truth. The word ‘sat’ literally translates as ‘true essence’ or ‘unchangeable’. Our thoughts, emotions and moods are interchangeable, yet these are the things that create our own truth. In yoga we work on creating a little space so that we can realise that we are not just our thoughts.
3 Asteya (non-stealing)
Asteya means ‘non-stealing’, but like the other Yamas and Niyamas, it means so much more that that. Asteya arises from the Vritti (thoughts/fluctuations of the mind) – ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I don’t have enough’. It arises from the lack of faith in ourselves. The word yoga means ‘to yoke’, ‘unite’, ‘connect’, or essentially to become ‘whole’, so by practicing each aspect of yoga on and off the mat, we can move further towards feeling as though we already have enough, and we already are enough within ourselves.
4 Brahmacharya (moderation of the senses/right use of energy)
Brahmacharya is often translated as ‘celibacy’ – and is often considered irrelevant in our modern culture. The word Brahmacharya actually translates as ‘behaviour which leads to Brahman’. Brahman is thought of as ‘the creator’ in Hinduism and yogic terms. So Brahmacharya can be seen as ‘right use of energy’. It refers to directing our energy away from external desires and instead, towards finding peace and happiness within ourselves.
5 Aparigraha (non-greed)
Aparigraha – ‘non-greed’, ‘non-possessiveness’, and ‘non-attachment’. This important Yama teaches us to take only what we need, keep only what serves us in the moment and to let go when the time is right.
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