The YAMAS and NIYAMAS 1St Limb of Ashtanga Yoga, Yama
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The YAMAS AND NIYAMAS 1st limb of Ashtanga Yoga, Yama: moral code of conduct, the way we interact with others ~ in thoughts, words, and behaviors; Nischala Joy Devi interprets the 5 Yamas as a reflection of our true nature. Deborah Adele writes that we can think of them as social disciplines, guiding us into harmony, peace, and right relationship with the world. Ahimsa – non-violence, not harming, kindness, compassion for all: In Sanskrit when there is an ‘A’ before a word, it mean non, or not what follows. For example, himsa is the Sanskrit word for harm or violence, therefore ahimsa is non-violence or not harming. Interpretations from the positive aspect of the word include kindness and compassion for all. All aspects of our lives can be examined from the perspective of ahimsa, including how we treat ourselves, others, animals, and the earth. It can also be thought of in relationship to our practice on the mat. Are we harming our physical body by attempting an asana (posture) that our body is not capable of, but we think we should be able to do it? Are we kind in what we are thinking about while practicing? Satya – truthfulness, honesty, integrity: Integrity is sometimes described as how we act when no-one else is watching. Integrity and authenticity are both aspects of truth and honesty, both on and off the mat. When we explore, or know, what our core values are we can explore our life’s choices in relationship to our values and satya – and in that way we will know if we are living authentically. Living with integrity and making choices that resonate and connect to who we are is important when on a spiritual journey because when we don’t do that, we feel it – in our body, emotions, and in the fluctuations of the mind and this can cause pain, suffering and disconnection. Asteya – non-stealing, not taking from others, big-heartedness: On a surface level, practicing Asteya can mean literally not stealing money from someone’s else. It can also mean not hoarding materials you don’t need, mindlessly consuming natural resources, coveting other people’s possessions, or appropriating other people’s ideas. (3) Brahmacharya – non-excess, awareness of energy: Brahmacharya reminds us to enter each day and each action with a sense of holiness rather than indulgence. (1) The word brahmacharya means ‘going after Brahman/supreme reality’. In the early history of yoga when young men were studying with a guru they were expected to be celibate for the purposes of learning. As westerners we can explore the concept of brahmacharya in relationship to how we expel our energy, with the intention to have enough energy for the practices of yoga. Aparigraha – non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-attachment, awareness of abundance Aparigraha is actually one of the central teachings in the Yogic text the Bhagavad Gita, in which Krishna shares one of the teachings that could perhaps be the most important lesson of all to learn: ‘Let your concern be with action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction’. What Krishna is essentially saying here, is that we should never concern ourselves with the outcome of a situation, we should only concern ourselves with what we’re actually doing right now as we work towards that outcome. (2) www.yoganh.com © 2017 Yoga New Hampshire, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Please request permission to use content. 2nd limb of Ashtanga Yoga, NiYama: self-observation, self-study, self-discipline ~ integration of body, mind, & spirit; Nischala Joy Devi interprets the 5 Niyamas as evolution toward harmony. Deborah Adele states the Niyamas are an invitation into radical exploration of possibility. Saucha – purity, cleanliness Saucha is not solely about cleanliness of the body, it is about being mindful about our intentions, thoughts, actions and words. It is about purity in body, mind, and spirit. When we do this we cleanse ourselves of what is holding us back from being kind, truthful, and big-hearted. In this way, we can notice how the yamas and niyamas are connected. Santosha -- contentment, embracing the moment for what it is, whether difficult or enjoyable We know, and feel, it is easy to be content when life is ‘going our way’, however we define that for ourselves. Santosha examines whether or not can we be content when the moment is difficult. Think about balance and the yin/yang symbol. We sometimes live our lives on the outskirts of balance, either feeling very happy or very sad; comfortable or uncomfortable; living with pain or painfree. To understand one aspect of a feeling, we need to understand the other. For example, we do not really understand happiness, unless we know what it is like to be sad. When we are able to be in the moment with however we are feeling and allow uncomfortable emotions to be as they are, we are growing spiritually. In this state of allowing we are taking the first step of not having every emotion affect our energy in a way that detrimentally affects our body, emotions, and mindset. Tapas – discipline, training the senses of the body & mind Tapas translates to ‘heat’. Some interpret it as related to burning impurities and some define it as the transformation that occurs when we live a spiritual life. The discipline aspect of tapas can help us tap into the inner wisdom that helps keep us on the spiritual path, whether that is on the mat in a posture that is difficult or off the mat if we received some unwelcomed news. Both of those scenarios would require a state of mind that is helpful in getting through the challenge. Svadhyaya – sacred self-examination, contemplation Yoga on and off the mat. Being curious. Examining spirituality. Living with intention. Constantly examining how we do that. Meditation. Reflection. Contemplation. Introspection. As we explore the Yamas & Niyamas, we are practicing Svadhyaya. Isvara Pranidhana – dedicate, devote, surrender to the Divine Pranidhana means to dedicate, devote or to surrender. And when we surrender, it is possible to bring the energy of yes to the present moment. (4) Ishvara is a Sanskrit word translated to mean supreme, divine, God, or Brahman/Supreme Reality. We all personally decide what ‘divine’ means to us. Emma Newlyn describes Isvara Pranidhana in a way that resonates for me. Isvara Pranidhana is in your work and ‘dharma’ or ‘life duty’ in how we surrender our ego and our selfish desires and is very closely linked to the concept of ‘letting go of the fruits of our actions’ and ‘non-attachment’, which is a focal point of the Bhagavad Gita. (2) www.yoganh.com © 2017 Yoga New Hampshire, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Please request permission to use content. Resources: (1) Deborah Adele, The Yamas & NiYamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice Online resources: (2) Emma Newlyn: https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/the-yamas-and-niyamas (3) Alexandra Franzen: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexandra-franzen/meaning- asteya_b_3321458.html (4) Helen Avery: https://wanderlust.com/journal/ishvara-pranidhana-surrender-to-love/ www.yoganh.com © 2017 Yoga New Hampshire, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Please request permission to use content. .