Yama and Niyama

The yamas (ethical disciplines) and niyamas (self observations) are the first two of the eight limbs of yoga as described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, one of the main texts of yoga. 

 There are 5 yamas and 5 niyamas, which can trick new students into thinking of them as a sort-of 'Yoga Ten Commandments'. However they are not to be viewed in this way. The real practice of yoga works toward the understanding and complete mastery of the mind, and the yamas and niyamas are qualities which the practitioner should try to nurture over time, which would form the foundation of, and contribute to, this stillness and peace of mind.

 Yama - ethical disciplines
  1. Non-violence - Ahimsa
  2. Truthfulness - Satya
  3. Non-stealing - Asteya
  4. Moderation - Brachmacharya
  5. Non-possessiveness - Aparigraha
Niyama - self observations
  1. Cleanliness - Saucha
  2. Contentment - Santosa
  3. Cleansing - Tapas
  4. Self study - Svadhyaya
  5. Devotion (to something greater than yourself) - Isvara Pranidhana
These qualities seem simple at first glance, but they are multi-layered. For example, non-violence (ahimsa) seems like a pretty obvious concept. However it can be extended to aspects such as violent or angry words you may speak or write, or violent thoughts. Or violence to yourself - how many of us push ourselves too hard, or (figuratively) beat ourselves up on a regular basis? Consider some of the punishing diets, workouts or work schedules we might put ourselves through. These are certainly not habits which contribute to a still and peaceful mind.

Drawing out some of the other less obvious qualities, let's consider non-possessiveness (aparigraha). Another way of describing this quality could be non-hoarding, or non-grasping. How many of us know that feeling when you want something so badly, you can't think of anything else? It can also be extended to our fixations on shopping, and needing to acquire more and more, when our cupboards and wardrobes are already bursting at the seams. One of the worst ones could be jealousy, or possessiveness of another person. It's not difficult to see how disturbing this is.

The yamas and niyamas operate together - for example - you could say that if you aim to practice non-possessiveness, you can encourage this by practicing contentment (santosa). Or you could say that you are practicing self-study (svadhyaya) by observing what you may be clinging to.

The niyama of tapas (cleansing) also requires a little further explanation. Tapas (not the small plates of food!) is a discipline you can impose on yourself in order to rid yourself of unwanted habits, and to build your willpower. You could decide that you will do something or that you won't do something, for a period of time. It's kind-of like Lent. A typical example would be giving up alcohol in January, or setting new year's resolutions. Yoga practitioners may set themselves a tapas of practicing yoga every day, or of working on particular challenging postures for a period of time. This type of cleansing helps break bad habits, and set new ones which will contribute to the understanding and mastery of the mind.

I will touch on more of these in future blog posts.