(Photo courtesy of Danica Howell)
While many people associate yoga with the Asanas, or poses, practiced during a class, there is more to the history and philosophy of yoga. Much more than can be covered in a single blog post - so today's focus will be on the Five Yamas of Yoga.
Before we dive into the Yamas themselves, a little bit more background - the father of modern yoga is generally accepted to be an Indian sage named Patanjali. While Patanjali did not invent yoga (it existed long before his time), he was the first to organize the practice and philosophy of yoga into a written work. Dating back to 200 CE, or thereabouts, Patanjali compiled a text he called Yoga Sutras.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras outline the Eight Limbs of Yoga, which if practiced in its entirety, will lead one to a state of blissfulness. The first of these Eight Limbs are the Yamas, of which there are five. The Yamas can be described as a set of morals to follow, when dealing with both yourself and others.
1) Ahimsa: Non-violence and/or Compassion
Ahimsa doesn't solely mean physical harm, as the term "non-violence" could suggest, but more so relates to practicing compassion across all living things. This includes when dealing with yourself - be need to be nice to yourself!
2) Satya: Truthfulness and/or Honesty
A clear conscious is a primary component of a clear mind, and by being truthful, you eliminate the fear which can come from telling a lie, and then waiting for the truth coming to light. Truthfulness should be practiced with Ahimsa, however. While sometimes "the truth hurts", it can be delivered in a manner which shows compassion for others.
3) Asteya: Non-stealing
"Non-stealing" can be misleading, but it is hard to tack down the meaning of Asteya in just one word. In a more descriptive context, Asteya means showing gratitude for the gifts you are given every day (air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, etc.), and not simply taking (stealing) those gifts without reciprocating with gratitude.
4) Brahmacharya: Continence and/or Moderation
Brahmacharya comes from the belief that everyone has a certain amount of "Virya" or energy, which provides your life force. You should preserve your Virya, in order to feel well and energetic. By not over-indulging in things that can leave us feeling mentally, physically, and spiritually drained, we can better maintain our wellness across all plains.
5) Aparigraha: Non-Greed and/or Non-Hording
Aparigraha does not require that you relinquish all your possessions, but instead, recognize that possessions come with a price. The more you have, the more you have to lose - is one line of thought. By releasing the "possessiveness" of stuff, you gain freedom from the fear of losing those things.
For me, the Yama of Ahimsa resonates the most. There is so much ugliness in the world already, there is no need for more. So, just be kind - it really does make the world a better place. Which Yama do you feel most connected to in your daily life?
-Charlene
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