Yoga Philosophy: Yamas and Niyamas

Practising yoga is not just about stretching your body. Aligning yoga practice with philosophical concepts can help guide our conduct beyond the mat.

Sometimes we need to refocus, press our reset button, and aim actively to live in a state of peace and deliberate kindness among our fellow creatures, honouring our environment with gratitude. Yogic philosophy is a rich resource, particularly exploring the Yamas and Niyamas, the focus of this post.

This is the first of a series of articles, starting with an overview. Without further ado, join me for a gentle meditation and breath practice, available free of charge via the video library here - select the video titled "12 Min - Energy Balancing Meditation & Breathwork".

Overview

The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical guidelines in yoga philosophy, forming the first two limbs of the eight-limbed path (Ashtanga) outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. They provide a moral foundation for living a balanced and purposeful life, both in relation to others and oneself.

A balanced life

Yamas (Social Ethics)

The Yamas are moral restraints or guidelines for how to interact with the world. "As these are gently, lovingly practiced over time, they gradually evolve into great vows for living". They include:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Practising kindness and compassion towards all beings, avoiding harm in thoughts, words and actions.

2. Satya (Truthfulness/Honesty): Being honest and authentic in communication and actions, while ensuring that truth doesn't cause harm (balance with Ahimsa).

3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Respecting others' property, time, and resources, avoiding the desire to take what doesn’t belong to you.

4. Brahmacharya (Moderation/Right use of energy/practising the presence of God): Maintaining moderation in all activities, including sensual desires, to conserve energy and avoid excess.

5. Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness/Non-greediness/Non-indulgence): Letting go of attachment to material possessions and outcomes, fostering a sense of contentment and simplicity.

Niyamas (Personal Observances)

The Niyamas are self-discipline practices that guide inner growth and personal behaviour. They include:

1. Saucha (Cleanliness/Purity): Keeping the body and mind clean through physical cleanliness, healthy habits and pure thoughts.

2. Santosha (Contentment): Cultivating gratitude and acceptance of life’s circumstances; finding peace in the present moment.

3. Tapas (Self-Discipline): Practising self-discipline and perseverance to maintain personal growth and spiritual progress.

4. Svadhyaya (Self-study): Engaging in introspection and studying philosophical texts to better understand oneself and the nature of the world.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to a Higher Power): Letting go of ego and control, surrendering to the flow of life or a higher spiritual force.

Together, the Yamas and Niyamas create a framework for ethical living and spiritual development, guiding practitioners toward harmony with themselves and the world around them.

Namaste, Annie.

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References

• Adele, D. (2009). The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice. On-Word Bound Books.

• Desikachar, T. K. V. (1999). The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice. Inner Traditions International.

• Feuerstein, G. (1998). The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice. Hohm Press.

• Iyengar, B. K. S. (1993). Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. HarperCollins.

• Perplexity online research

• Satchidananda, S. (2012). The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Integral Yoga Publications.

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translation by Sri Swami Satchidananda

• Wiki: Yoga Sutras

• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Jnaneshvara