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yamas niyamasand – ancient yogic truths for the 21st century

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With practice occupying most attention in a typical yoga class, it’s easy to forget that yoga offers not just a path to physical health but also a framework for all- round life management. Yoga’s ethical guidelines – the yamas and niyamas – suggest the values and behaviours likely to lead to a fulfilled, contented and productive life. Take your yoga a little deeper and explore how you can integrate these values into your everyday life. By Trish Brown.

The yamas and niyamas are rarely help you to contain your energy to make someone in the eye when they make you discussed in asana classes but they are you balanced and more focused by angry. It also applies to how we treat the keys to living a life of fullness, self- encouraging you to avoid problematic ourselves, for example, not beating discovery and inner peace. They help us behaviours. Observances (directives) ourselves up and thinking we’re stupid to achieve the ultimate state of balance include practices to add to your life, to when we make a mistake. and harmony, both within ourselves and enhance your wellbeing and build up Physical violence is the grossest twith the world around us. your energy. expression of humanity’s baser instincts. These principles are contained in Yamas (controls) are like the brakes But every thought, word or action that the first two limbs of ’s eight on a car. They help us gain control over causes pain to another is really a form of limbs of yoga, known as the Eightfold our lives and restore homeostasis to violence. The aim is to have balanced Path. This ancient system of yogic body and mind. Niyamas (directives) are ambition, which means not running over instructions () can be applied to like the accelerator, propelling us in the other people to get ahead and not our yoga practice today and also to how right direction. harming or neglecting yourself either. we live our life in modern society. In Rather than just intellectualising Ask yourself a simple question: Do my fact, these values underpin the life of the application of the yamas and actions, thoughts and intentions reflect dedicated yogic aspirants and have done niyamas, let’s broaden our of peacefulness? If you are unsure, think about for thousands of years. them and take these universal values to a where you spend your time. When we In his Yoga Sutras, Patanjali lists 10 deeper and more personal level – and associate with people who live by high important yamas and niyamas. However, into our daily practice. Yoga becomes standards, they feed us with high the ancient treatise, the Srimad truly holistic when we take it ‘off the thoughts and compassionate actions. Bhagavatam, describes 24 in a mat’ and embrace its principles in our When we associate with angry or violent remarkable dialogue between a warrior day to day living. To get you started, prince and his elite student. Patanjali’s people, or expose ourselves to the here’s a short explanation of each of the version focuses on how to ennoble barrage of media violence, our minds principles, along with a tip or two for yourself: how to refine your life to assist can develop the habit of violence too. how to cultivate each one in daily life. your development, and what to add to Cultivating good association and your life so you can experience greater YAMAS watching or reading things that nurture wellbeing. The principles in the Srimad 1. : non-violence us can be essential if we want to create a Bhagavatam also focus on encouraging Ahimsa refers to non-violence, which peaceful life. you to make positive contributions to includes the non-killing, non-injuring Cultivate consumer awareness. Question the world. and non-harming of others. True ahimsa whether the products you choose are The yamas and niyamas are is being aware of the energy you put out. healthy or ethical and whether animals or sometimes referred to as restraints and This can mean anything from not humans have been hurt in the making of observances. Self-restraints (or controls) polluting the earth to not punching that product.

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2. : truthfulness done more hours than you have, or Moderation in all things is the key to Truthfulness is about being real and not cheating on your taxes despite a healthy lifestyle. Uncontrolled seeing things the way they really are. The the temptation to short change lead to the abuse of the senses, which in more truthful we are, the more we come the government! turn can lead to addictions of all kinds – to know ourselves. At the highest level In yogic philosophy the very drugs, alcohol, overeating, pornography of truth we can begin to recognise that to have more wealth than one needs is or relationships where there is sex much of our life is impermanent. also seen as stealing. But there are without love. These addictions create suffering at every level and distract us from the truth we seek as . Yoga becomes truly holistic when we take The next time you have a craving ask yourself: If I fulfil this desire will it help me it ‘off the mat’ and embrace its principles or hinder me on my yogic path? You may be amazed at how yoga can transform in our day to day living. the energy of a desire. For example, ask yourself: Is there is a yoga posture I can do before I give in to the temptation to However, on an everyday level we soon reasons why people steal even when they have a chocolate? discover that truth is in the eye of the know it’s not right. Desiring something 5. Aparigraha: not wanting what beholder. Most people see the world the that does not belong to us, for example others have way they would like it to be, rather than someone’s job or car, is an indication The of aparigraha urges us to resist the way it is. In any conflict, the truth is that we are not content with what we the desire to pursue and hoard stuff. usually somewhere between what both have, or more importantly, we are not Hoarding or collecting arises from fear parties believe. Misinterpreting or content with who we think we are! about the future. We’re afraid that if we taking the situation personally can lead The nature of the ego is to grasp at don’t accumulate and protect what we to a distortion of the truth. everything around it. We call this the consider good stuff, we may find we Being truthful requires constant ‘wanting mind’. It arises from the ego don’t have what we want, when we want vigilance, which at first is a great effort, and is always creating preferences. it. It’s not surprising that many of us feel but with practise becomes a natural way When you discover your mind this way because this anxiety to get of living. Truthfulness requires us to be telling you that you need something, ask things now is encouraged by our society. totally honest with ourselves, so that our yourself: Do I really need this? Do I Nearly every advertisement on television thoughts, words and deeds are all in want this for myself, or will it benefit entices us to buy and consume more, alignment. When they are, people sense anyone else? even though most of the time we don’t the truth within us. When you find the mind grasping for need these things. Do we really need the Try talking less and listening more. something that is not yours, ask the latest car, mobile phone or fashion Empowering others allows your own question: Why aren’t I content with the wardrobe? Or can we make do and give communication to become stronger, with things I have? part of our hard-earned dollars to some greater integrity. of the less fortunate in the world. 4. Brahmacharya: intelligent Gandhi aptly said: ‘There is enough in 3. Asteya: non-stealing self-control the world for everyone’s need but not Taking something that belongs to Patanjali realised that it was crucial to for their greed’. someone else sets us at odds with what lead a life of self-restraint, as conserving Aparigraha doesn’t just apply to we know is right. Deep down, we all one’s energies helps people to maintain having lots of things, but more generally know what actions are honest, but often health and balance in life. Brahmacharya refers to how we get attached to material our desires cloud that knowing. One of in its strictest sense is often interpreted objects. There is an old story about a Patanjali’s sutras states: ‘After becoming as . But it is much more than wandering monk who went to see a wise established finally in the state of non- avoiding relationships or refraining from king in an opulent palace. The king was stealing, the will attain all sexual relations. The higher aspect of quite keen to learn from the monk. The diamonds.’ When we no longer covet brahmacharya means having intelligent monk told the king that he would have to things that belongs to others, we attain contact with the world. renounce all his possessions to achieve our own level of satisfaction. When we exercise control and live happiness and develop spiritually. The Non-stealing does not merely with wisdom, we have more energy and king, who already had no attachment to mean abstaining from theft. Stealing, focus to reach our full potential. An his kingdom, smiled and said: ‘I agree for example, isn’t just about taking appropriate translation for our western with you. In fact, let’s do it now’. The something from a store or robbing a world today would be controlling our monk was quite surprised that the king bank. It also means honesty. For desires to enable us to be in the world was prepared to exchange all his finery for example, it can mean not fudging but not of the world, to enjoy what we the robes of a simple monk. As they your timesheets at work to say you have have but not to be bound by it. walked out of the palace together and

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away from the city, the monk suddenly remembered that he had left behind his [Postures for the Yamas and Niyamas] begging bowl. He panicked, insisting that These practices come from the Dru Yoga tradition www.druexperience.com they return straight away to the palace to retrieve his only possession. The king [yamas] [niyamas] looked at the monk in amazement. ‘After Ahimsa Saucha all that I have given up today, can’t you Seat of – opens the heart Natarajasana allows a natural flow out even let go of your begging bowl?’ he said. to feelings of compassion for both self of the body of unwanted thoughts, The point of this story is that and others emotions and energies attachment is not related to the size or Satyam quantity of our possessions. Something Practice Vishuddhi Dharanam, Savangasana, the tranquillity posture small can bind us just as much as a as it strengthens the centre alleviates symptoms of emotional whole kingdom. of communication turmoil and mental stress Make a list, daily, of the people who you Asteya will give a small gift to. Consider Stand in nature and practise the Vrksasana – For time immemorial giving more of your time and energy to flowing Dru Tree Pose to experience this has been the posture used as a good works. the fullness and oneness of your strengthening for tapas by saints true nature. and sages NIYAMAS Brahmacharya Swadhyaya 1. Saucha: purity Practice of Brahmacharyasana – the Meditate on a still point in the heart or Saucha is purity on all levels, in body Celibate’s Pose to help you to contain the ajna centre as these are the two and mind. This also means purity in your energies classic gateways to inner knowledge intention, thought and expression. Good habits, like bathing, purify the Aparigraha pranidhana Parsvottanasana (Charity posture) has Try learning a yoga sequence like EBR3* body externally, and asana (posture the power to open your heart centre ‘Awakening the Heart’ that helps you work) and (breath work) ( Chakra) and engenders the create a positive relationship with your cleanse and purify the body internally. qualities of generosity, compassion own highest inner strength and light More important than the physical and selflessness cleansing, however, is the cleansing of the mind. This is the cleansing of negative thoughts that no longer serve you, including those emotions that we wrangle with, such as anger, hatred, greed, They help us to achieve the ultimate state delusion, pride and lust. Imagine how of balance and harmony, both within centred and calm you would be if you didn’t get upset when someone cut you ourselves and with the world around us. off in traffic or stole your parking space! One of the most direct routes to developing saucha is by practising forms life, never mind your yoga practice. If 3. Tapas: self-discipline of yoga that go beyond the physical body, you constantly want more of something The art of tapas, sometimes translated as such as yoga (yoga of devotion), – whether it is excitement or even austerity or letting go, is fundamentally yoga (yoga of self-knowledge) and spiritual experiences – then you are not about ‘sticking at it’. Tapas calls on you yoga (yoga of action). content with where you are now. to direct your effort towards achieving a When a person is hungry for particular goal and not being put off by Keep your house clean and tidy so you something they tend to focus on what they discomfort or difficulties. For thousands live in a space that does not feel cluttered don’t have instead of what they do. But of years, yogis in India have meditated in and dirty, enhancing feelings of when you reach the stage where you feel orderliness and wellbeing. the cold caves of the Himalayas and you do not lack anything then you can performed acts such as standing on one Consider going on a yogic diet so that know true tranquillity and peace of mind. leg for months and focused on God in you have the energy and strength to best The challenge yoga sets you is to their pursuit of the goal of give of yourself to the world and to reach cultivate a personality that does not enlightenment. Tapas builds great your full potential. crave things or people, and does not strength and internal reserves and 2. Santosha: contentment waver even in tempting circumstances. usually involves purification of the senses Santosha is the fulfilment and Every morning begin your day by being in some way. It involves leading a lifestyle contentment that has to be cultivated to grateful for three things in your life, so that that supports your spiritual goals. free the mind. If you are not content it is you see your cup as half full rather than Today we can engage in tapas by hard to concentrate in any aspect of your half empty. adhering to the discipline of a daily yoga

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Rather than just intellectualising the application of the yamas and niyamas, let’s broaden our knowledge of them – and bring them into our daily practice.

practice so that we set ourselves up Practise self-inquiry. Regularly ask Take some encouragement from in the best possible way to meet the yourself: Who am I? What is my purpose? the fact that focused challenges of the day. Or tapas could The answer to these questions will be on just two yamas with vigilance and be following a healthy diet, or even unique for each person. achieved such a powerful personal committing to chanting daily. 5. Ishvara pranidhana: dedication transformation that he has left a legacy of hope across the entire world. He Commit yourself to a daily practice of to the highest transformed himself into one of the yoga and . Adopting one thing For a seeker of truth, the highest act is greatest spiritual leaders by applying the in your day can transform your life. surrendering one’s individual will to the divine will. This means being motivated principles of truthfulness (satya) and If your health permits, consider taking up to act in a selfless way day by day. non-violence (ahimsa), and as a result he fasting for one meal a week or one day created huge social change, inspiring a To do this means allowing the a month. whole nation, if not the entire world. highest possible source to direct us in You could do the same! 4. Swadhyaya: self-enquiry that goal. When we surrender at this Swadhyaya is about directing your life to level the ‘I’ and ‘mine’ dissolve so that the study of the Self. There is the (small the individual soul knows only unity. References s) self, which is the ego that usually Of course there are many ways to Points of Balance (about the ‘controls’ directs our daily activities. There is also do this, but the yoga of bhakti is seen as and ‘directives’), Chris Barrington the (big S) Self, which is the higher one of the most direct forms of practice Dru Correspondence consciousness that you can discover to cultivate this . Course, Chris Barrington and through self-enquiry. Another aspect of Make an effort every day to connect to Yamuna Loyal self-enquiry is studying the ancient whatever aspect of the divine you Dru Yoga Teacher Training manuals spiritual texts: the Yoga Sutras, , are drawn to. This could be through Bhagavad Gita, Bible or Koran. prayer, contemplation or simply by Crisis and the Miracle of Love, Meditating on the religious texts lighting a flame. Dr Mansukh Patel and Dr Helena Waters can deepen your knowledge and Dedicate something within your day to The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, understanding of them. In fact, in some serving humanity, for example, pick up Deepak Chopra and Paul Simon traditions students are encouraged to do some litter so that your neighbourhood broad spiritual study so that they is cleaner. become familiar with the huge variety of If you feel overwhelmed by the Trish Brown has taught yoga for over spiritual paths available. Being ethical challenge of the yamas and twenty years, with teaching diplomas spiritually eclectic enables you to niyamas, why not simply choose one or in Dru Yoga and IYTA. She is an understand the self from different two to work with initially? As your international tutor on the Dru teacher- perspectives. behaviour becomes more aligned with training program and has been The knowledge gained through studying the ancient scriptures with these powerful yogic values and you master teachers in Australia, UK and self-study and enquiry gives you the keys experience the benefits of a more India. Her contacts are to leading a fulfilled and productive life. balanced and harmonious way of living, [email protected] (02) 6161 1462 Read something from one of the ancient you will have the confidence to expand www.druexperience.com spiritual texts every day. your efforts.

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