What are yamas in yoga? How to apply them in everyday life?
The Yamas are the ethical principles of yoga, considered as rules of conduct and behavior. It is the first branch of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga system, and consists of five principles:
- Ahimsa (non-violence): refraining from any form of violence or abuse towards oneself and others, including animals and the environment.
- Satya (truth): practice sincerity and honesty in all relationships, including with oneself.
- Asteya (non-stealing): refraining from stealing or taking something that does not belong to us, whether material or immaterial, such as time or ideas.
- Brahmacharya (control of the senses): practicing moderation and self-control, especially with regard to sensual desires and pleasures.
- Aparigraha (non-attachment): abstaining from excessive lust or possession, and practicing detachment from material possessions and relationships.
The Yamas are considered the foundation of an ethical and holistic yoga practice, as they encourage practitioners to nurture a caring and ethical attitude towards themselves, others and the environment.
What is Ahimsa and how do you apply it in your routine?
Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term meaning “non-violence” or “non-harming”. This is a fundamental principle of yoga and Indian spirituality in general, which is considered an ethical and moral practice.
Applying Ahimsa involves being aware of our impact on others and the world around us. This can manifest itself in many ways, such as:
- Avoid causing physical or emotional harm to others, whether they are people, animals or natural environments.
- Cherish positive and loving relationships with others, avoiding conflict and aggressive behavior.
- Be aware of the impact of our consumption choices, by choosing products that do not harm the environment or animals.
- Practice self-criticism and self-observation to avoid hurting ourselves or others with our thoughts and words.
In short, Ahimsa is about cultivating an attitude of kindness towards ourselves, others and the world around us, and doing our best to avoid causing unnecessary harm or suffering. It is a practice that can be applied to all aspects of our routine, and can help create a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Satya: always tell the truth
Satya is a term that comes from the philosophy of yoga, specifically from the second of the five ethical practices called Yamas. Satya is often translated as “truth” or “honesty”. In practice, this means being honest with yourself and others, and avoiding lying or deceit.
Applying Satya can be beneficial for several reasons. First, it can help build trusting relationships with others. If you are known to be an honest and sincere person, people will have more confidence in you and be more likely to trust you.
In addition, being honest with yourself can help you better understand your own motivations and make more informed decisions. If you are honest about what you want and need, you can make decisions that are more aligned with your values and goals.
To apply Satya, it is important to take time to think before you speak or act. If you are about to say something that is not true or deceive someone, take a moment to think about the situation and what you really want to say or do. Try to find ways to express the truth in a kind and respectful way, without hurting others.
It is also important to be honest with yourself. Take time to reflect on your own motivations and what you really want. If you feel that you are not being honest with yourself, take the time to ask yourself the right questions and explore your feelings.
Ultimately, the application of Satya can help build healthy and trusting relationships with others, and better understand one’s own motivations and goals.
Asteya : do not steal
Asteya is a term that also comes from the philosophy of yoga and the ethical practice of the Yamas. It is often translated as “non-stealing” or “non-avidity”, which means avoiding taking what does not belong to us, both physically and mentally, and avoiding being envious or jealous of the possessions and successes of others.
Applying Asteya on a daily basis can help nurture a sense of contentment and gratitude for what we have, rather than obsessing over what we don’t have or what we want to take from others.
In order to apply it in routine, it is important to be aware of our thoughts and actions and to seek to avoid any form of theft or greed. Here are some practical ideas for applying it:
- Respect the property of others: Avoid taking anything that does not belong to you, either physically or intellectually. Avoid copying others’ work without their permission or taking credit for others’ work.
- Practice gratitude: Be grateful for what you have and avoid focusing on what you don’t have. Take time to focus on the positive aspects of your life and thank the people who have helped you.
- Avoid jealousy and envy: Avoid comparing yourself to others and feeling envy or jealousy. Instead, appreciate your own talents and accomplishments and work toward your own goals.
- Practice generosity: Share your time and resources with others. Be generous with your skills, time, money and resources and you’ll find that it enhances your own sense of abundance.
By practicing Asteya, we can nurture a sense of contentment and gratitude for what we have, avoid negative feelings like jealousy and envy, and live more consciously and ethically.
Brahmacharya : moderation
Brahmacharya is a term that also comes from the philosophy of yoga and the ethical practice of the Yamas. It is often translated as “control of the senses” or “conservation of vital energy” and is often associated with the practice of chastity or sexual self-control. However, its deeper meaning is broader and can be interpreted as the practice of moderation and self-control in all spheres of life.
Applying it every day can help develop self-control, nurture balance and stability, and focus on the most important aspects of life rather than unnecessary distractions.
Here are some practical ideas for applying it in your routine:
- Practice moderation: Avoid overindulgence and practice moderation in all aspects of your environment, whether it’s food, sleep, recreation or relationships.
- Avoid unnecessary distractions: Avoid behaviors and activities that waste your time and energy, such as excessive social media consumption or entertainment.
- Develop self-control: Take time to practice self-control in all situations, focusing on your breathing and avoiding overreaction or impulsiveness.
- Cultivate focus: Train yourself to concentrate on the most important tasks in your life, avoiding distractions and staying focused on your long-term goals.
- Practice balance: Strive for a healthy balance in all areas of your life, avoiding extremes and working to develop a balanced and harmonious routine.
By applying the principles of Brahmacharya in the daily routine, you can shape self-control, balance and stability, and focus on the most important aspects of life. It can help to live a more conscious, ethical and balanced life.
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APARIGRAHA : DETACHMENT
Aparigraha is a term that comes from the philosophy of yoga and the ethical practice of the Yamas. Aparigraha is often translated as “non-possessiveness” or “non-attachment,” which means avoiding clinging to material possessions, ideas, or relationships, and cultivating a sense of detachment.
Applying this yama can help cultivate simplicity, free up mental and physical space, and focus on what is truly important in life.
Here are some practical ideas for applying Aparigraha in daily life:
- Declutter your space: Avoid becoming attached to material objects and practice decluttering your space by donating or selling what you no longer use.
- Avoid waste: Avoid wasting food, water, paper and other resources. Buy and use only what you need.
- Avoid possessive behaviors: Avoid becoming attached to ideas, habits or relationships that no longer serve you or limit you.
- Practice generosity: Share your time, skills and resources with others. Be generous with what you have and you will find that it enhances your own sense of abundance.
- Practice gratitude: Be grateful for what you have and avoid focusing on what you don’t have. Take time to focus on the positive aspects of your life and thank the people who have helped you.
By practicing this yama, you can cultivate simplicity, freedom and gratitude in your life. It can help one live more consciously and ethically, focus on what is truly important in life and find a sense of inner peace and happiness.
CONCLUSION
Yoga is an age-old practice of uniting the body and mind. According to the philosophy of yoga, there are eight limbs or steps to follow to reach this state of consciousness. The first two limbs are yamas and niyamas, which are moral restrictions and observances to guide our lives.
Yama is an important aspect of yoga, which teaches non-violence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), moderation (brahmacharya) and non-possession (aparigraha). These principles help us to live in harmony with others and to respect the environment.
The niyamas are personal practices such as purification (saucha), satisfaction (santosha), discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya) and self-awareness (ishvara pranidhana). These practices help us to raise our consciousness and live more consciously.
Yoga also teaches us to be aware of our body energy and to channel it through the practice of postures (asanas) and meditation (dhyana). By following the path of yoga, we can reach a higher state of consciousness and free ourselves from the sufferings of life.
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Ultimately, the practice of yoga is an art form that can help us reach a higher state of consciousness and live a more balanced and conscious life. As Martin Luther King said, “Yoga is a light, which once lit, never goes out. The more you practice, the brighter the flame.
Yoga, inspired by Greek philosophy and guided by the principles of Yama and Niyama, is a spiritual practice that aims to harmonize the body and mind through meditation and discipline, to achieve a natural state of love and inner peace, and thus develop the eight limbs of the Ashtanga practice, from the physical to the heart and mind, focusing on nature and using natural products
