Living Yoga: Embracing the Yamas and Niyamas On and Off the Mat

Introduction to the two first stages of the eightfold yoga path.

The Yamas - the five ethical principles of abstention, with the Niyamas - the five ethical principles for self-purification - form the basis of the life of a yogi.

THE 5 YAMAS

The five Yamas, or "abstentions," are rules of ethical behavior including rules about how to behave towards others. Each Yama has a counter that reflects some action that is either prohibited or discouraged. Nobody lives alone in this world. Therefore, everyone must deal properly with other beings. Those who control themselves are able to give life the right direction.

1. Ahimsa

Ahimsa means the absence of injustice, cruelty, and non-violence. It reinforces to not harm any creature or being in any way.

It goes beyond purely physical non-violence and includes much more non-harm in the broadest sense. Psychological and verbal violence can also cause damage and should be avoided.

When dealing with other living beings, compassion and benevolence are strived for in every area of ​​life, no matter how small. Non-violent nutrition and clothing without causing animal suffering are just as much a part of Ahimsa as non-violent and understanding communication.

The yogic idea that everything is connected helps here - if you harm your environment, you will inevitably harm yourself as well. The voluntary renunciation of any gross and subtle form of violence opens a wide space for equanimity, trust, and peace in you.

Ahimsa releases tremendous energy within you as it aligns you with the creative potential of the entire universe. Kindness is the power that overcomes all obstacles. Ahimsa prepares your mind for the realization of the Supreme.

The yogic idea that everything is connected helps here - if you harm your environment, you will inevitably harm yourself as well.

2. Satya

The second Yama Satya means real, true, and virtuous

Satya encourages always speaking the facts without exaggeration and deals with the issues of honesty, sincerity, faithfulness, and loyalty towards oneself and others. It’s about being truthful and always speak the truth.

Honesty also means not lying to yourself and admitting mistakes. However, when the truth could hurt someone, sometimes it's better to remain silent. Satya also means the ability to say "no" and not out of politeness or weakness to say "yes" to something you neither want nor feel right. Only what is felt inside may be carried to the outside.

3. Asteya

Asteya requires refraining from stealing the belongings of others.

Asteya's main concern is that the property of others is neither coveted nor misappropriated. Any "too much" on one side leads to "too little" on the other side. So there is poverty only because there is wealth. As long as someone desires and has more than they need to live, there will also be someone who has too little to live on.

Even envy of someone else's riches is already considered in yogic philosophy to be a form of spiritual stealing that leads us to desire what is not ours.

The Yama Asteya also calls for inner contentment and modesty, so that true wealth can be discovered within.

4. Brahmacharya

The fourth rule of Yama Brahmacharya means movement towards the essential.

Our endeavors should be conducive to the understanding and realization of the highest truth. It is also interpreted as abstinence, e.g. B. from addictive substances or sex.

A clean lifestyle is advised. The mind is to be protected from things that bring confusion.

Brahmacharya is the purity of thought, word, and deed. Moderation in everything one does is probably the real meaning of Brahmacharya and serves mental, spiritual, and physical health.

5. Aparigraha

The fifth rule of Yama means "hands-off", "don't seize the opportunity".

It recommends not accumulating large possessions and being content with bare necessities. Unnecessary possessions arouse envy and cost valuable lifetime and energy. 

But it is also a call to release attachment to certain feelings and situations.

Because it's not always just material things that we desire, but also sensual experiences that can quickly degenerate into passions.

The 5 Yamas all interact with each other and none exist independently of the other 4 Yamas. They are always intertwined and belong together like the steps on a ladder, with each step having equal importance.

Along with the five Yamas, the five Niyamas are also considered principles or disciplines on the path to enlightenment

THE 5 NIYAMAS

While the Yamas are predominantly recommendations for behavior in the outside world, i.e. social interaction, the 5 Niyamas are more self-related and are aimed at the thoughts and feelings of the practitioner.

1. Saucha

Saucha - translated as cleanliness - this Niyama has a connection to the word sanitation meaning that one should dispel difficulty by maintaining places clean and garbage free.

Saucha also means physical, mental and spiritual purity, cleanliness. The body must be protected, kept clean, and cared for in order that it may remain healthy and serve its primary purpose. If you give the body external hygiene, the right food, good water and the necessary exercise, it remains elastic and young.

The mind should also always be kept pure.

Saucha can be achieved with fasting (also of the spirit), proper nutrition, breathing exercises, mediation and yoga.

2. Santosha

Santosha - translated as contentment, here people acknowledge the beauty in a non-material form rather than the things they possess. It also teaches acceptance of their failures and tragedies to lessen the emotional effects.

Santosha means saying "yes" to the world, to recognize existence in its splendor and uniqueness. Satisfaction does not mean renunciation Contentment is a positive state of mind. It is a way of looking at life through seeing what is and seeing possibilities. Dissatisfaction arises from focusing on what is not. Concentrating on what is most necessary and important is trained and thus leads to inner satisfaction and gratitude.

3. Tapas

Tapas - translated as austerity - tapas is considered a positive virtue in order to prevent having what you want or abandoning what one already has for something else unrealized. Tapas must be maintained for justice to stay alive on.

4. Svadhyaya

Svadhyaya - translated as self-reflection - it's about the reflection of the own ego - recognizing oneself, also being able to criticize oneself. For example during a Ãsana practice: observe yourself to find out a lot about yourself. With Svadhyaya you are both lecturer and student in one role – in other words, you are your own greatest teacher.

Questioning one's views, beliefs and actions help to unmask and resolve inner entanglements. In this way, the yogin approaches his center and self.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana

Ishvara Pranidhana - translated as devotion -

It’s the devotion to God or creation. It doesn't matter how God or the highest is defined.

Be it a personal deity or a universal principle.

It's about surrendering to one thing with all your heart, letting go of all other things and happenings. Especially in the practice of yoga exercises, it is possible to let go of everyday thoughts. It is possible to focus only on the present moment, to surrender to it. Ultimately, this leads to more concentration on tasks and duties that we have to or want to do every day. This is also about letting go of fears and trusting in the guidance of divine power.

Take your practice deeper by incorporating the Yamas and Niyamas—the heart of yoga philosophy—into your movement and breath. This guided session below will help you embody these principles on the mat and in your daily life.