Yamas - Eight Limb of Yoga

To start your journey in dwelling deeper into yogic philosophy, there is no better place to start than the 8 limbs of yoga.

This week we will be covering the Yamas. I will be as short as I can be so you won't need to read a novel.

Yamas means restraints/control, it is almost like a moral code. You've probably heard the word Yama before in PranaYama. Prana is your breath or your energy body and Yama is restraint: breath restraints- control.

There are 5 Yamas we observe:

Ahimsa ~ non-violence:
Most Yamas can be interpreted differently. If you practice non-violence it is not just simply physical, that you wouldn't hurt others (and yourself!) but also verbal, mental too. Have you ever had harmful, aggressive, negative thoughts in your head whether it is against others or yourself. Even if no one can hear it but you it still ha an effect on you. Ahimsa is a way to be compassionate to all being (think of yourself too) and don't forget about your practice. How?- Not being forceful to achieve a posture, practicing from a place of compassion instead of ego so we can stay injury free.

Satya~ truthfulness: Sincerity/Truthfulness helps to generate a stable and tranquil mind, and contribute to harmonious social relations. It is quite straight forward: be truthful to yourself and others in words, action, and thoughts.

Brahmacharya ~ Continence: It is perhaps one of the more misunderstood of the yamas. In Sanskrit, the word means “chastity, marital fidelity or sexual restraint”. It doesn't mean you should be celibate; instead this yama is interpreted as meaning we should use our sexual energy to move closer to the truth and to further our connection to our Spiritual self. The practice of Brahmacharya is also not giving into your senses and allowing them to control you and deplete all of your mental energy. Don't allow your desires to control you, instead you should observe them so you can bring more awareness into where you direct your energy or waste your energy unconsciously.

Asteya ~ non-stealing: Pretty straight forward, don't take something that doesn't belong to you. It is not jus physical things, but also time, idea and so on. Have you ever thought about how do you ask for someone's time? We take it for granted that people spend time with us, but it isn't always convenient. Or have you ever offered help to someone who in a way abused that favour and kept you for much longer you had time for. Did you not feel robbed off from your time almost you were taken advantage of.

Aparigraha ~ “non-greed/non-possessiveness”: Oh this is a good one, I bet we all need to think about this one a little bit more in some way. In modern yoga, this is interpreted as neutralizing the desire to hoard your wealth and possessions. When practicing aparigraha, you would take only what you need and nothing more. Living life bit simpler as the more stuff you have or want the more worry you carry. It doesn't mean you should chuck our all your clutter( although do consider to look through what you have hoarded over the years) but it means next time you about to purchase something be more conscious about why do you buy it. Is it for your happiness? Is it because you see others have it? Do you actually need it?

What is you interpretation of the Yamas?

Any of them not clear to you?

Message me with any questions or comment any thoughts you don't mind sharing with others. See you next week with the next limb.

Jai, Melinda