Yoga 101: Yama – The first Limb

In a current submit, I wrote in regards to the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The Eight Limbs are a framework for working towards all elements of the system of yoga. The primary of those limbs known as yama. 

I take into account yama to be the inspiration of the entire system. Yama means “restraint.” On this context, restraint refers to utilizing clever discrimination to contemplate your actions on the planet, so that you just create an moral floor from which to behave. The yamas will not be commandments, nonetheless. They’re tips for making a peaceable life via your actions on the planet. The yamas ask us to contemplate whether or not the actions we wish to undertake are more likely to trigger hurt or to result in happiness—for ourselves and others.

Like all of the limbs of yoga, yama is a observe that we refine as we evolve in our lives. Making use of the ideas of the yamas in our lives requires that we take into account them anew with every state of affairs we discover ourselves in. So, being aware is essential. The truth that there aren’t any hard-and-fast guidelines makes the observe dynamic, and permits us to deepen our understanding as we transfer via our lives.

What follows is a quite simple, very quick synopsis of the yamas. Every one is worthy of a lifetime of examine and observe. If you happen to’re inquisitive about inquiring additional, my first e book, Conscious Yoga, Conscious Life: A Information for On a regular basis Apply, devotes a chapter to every yama, and consists of methods you possibly can incorporate the yamas into asana observe. The knowledge under can maybe act as a springboard for additional inquiry.

The 5 Yamas

Ahimsa (Non-Harming)

If yama is the inspiration of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, then ahimsa is the inspiration of that basis. All the opposite yamas are refinements of the idea of non-harming. Ahimsa asks us to contemplate the attainable penalties of our actions. It additionally asks us to concentrate on our intentions. Alistair Shearer defines ahimsa as “dynamic peacefulness.” I like this fashion of describing it, as a result of means we’re not merely avoiding inflicting hurt. We’re deliberately cultivating a peaceable approach of being, in order that over time, appearing with kindness and care turns into computerized.

Satya (Truthfulness)

Truthfulness is the inspiration of all our interactions on the planet. To ensure that any relationship to develop and thrive, it should be based mostly in fact. Being untruthful harms us by strengthening untruthfulness as a behavior. It harms others as a result of they will by no means really feel protected once they can’t belief our intentions, phrases or actions. Right here once more, mindfulness is essential. So as to acknowledge—after which act from—fact, we have now to know what’s true within the first place. We do that by trying deeply at our beliefs, habits and motivations.

Asteya (Non-Stealing)

Asteya asks us to chorus from taking what is just not supplied. This consists of materials items (cash, valuables) and in addition mental property. So we don’t “assist ourselves” to others’ possessions if we aren’t invited to take action. In the identical vein, asteya guides us to ask permission and to credit score others once we share their phrases and concepts.

Brahmacharya (Sensible Use of Sexuality)

Our sexual power is the supply of our creativity. It’s a highly effective power that has nice potential to result in happiness, or to trigger hurt if we misuse it. Sexual encounters should at all times be consensual, and should not be employed merely for our personal self-aggrandizement. The misuse of this power, particularly by individuals in positions of energy, is ubiquitous in all walks of life—together with the yoga world. Like the opposite yamas, clever observe is difficult. Donna Farhi’s e book, Educating Yoga: Exploring the Instructor-Scholar Relationship, delves deeply into the teacher-student relationship, together with the observe of brahmacharya.

Aparigraha (Non-Greed)

In accordance with Buddhist observe, greed is among the three sources of struggling. (The others are hatred and delusion.) It’s a supply of struggling as a result of it might by no means be glad; it might solely be briefly quelled. After we get no matter it’s that we would like, we could really feel glad, at the very least for some time. Nevertheless it’s not lengthy earlier than another want arises, and leads us to pin our hopes on the subsequent object we predict we will need to have. Greed applies not solely to materials possessions, but additionally to relationships, experiences and the necessity for consideration. The true sources of happiness is contentment, gratitude and appreciation for our lives as they’re. This doesn’t imply we shouldn’t attempt to attain our aspirations. It merely implies that we perceive that every little thing in our lives comes and goes. Happiness is obtainable to all of us, and its potential is already inside us. The antidote to greed is to observe generosity. After we domesticate a behavior of giving, we perceive extra deeply the enjoyment of letting go.

Straightforward Does It

Typically it might appear overwhelming to attempt to incorporate all these ideas into your life. I recommend committing to observe one by one. It may be useful to decide to, say, a yr working towards a single yama. The deal with one precept might help you incorporate it into your life extra simply. Determine which of the yamas resonates most deeply for you. Then start to use it to the alternatives you make in your life.

About Charlotte Bell

Charlotte Bell found yoga in 1982 and commenced educating in 1986. Charlotte is the creator of Conscious Yoga, Conscious Life: A Information for On a regular basis Apply and Yoga for Meditators, each printed by Rodmell Press. Her third e book is titled Hip-Wholesome Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Information to Defending the Hips and Avoiding SI Joint Ache (Shambhala Publications). She writes a month-to-month column for CATALYST Journal and serves as editor for Yoga U On-line. Charlotte is a founding board member for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit that brings yoga to underserved populations. A lifelong musician, Charlotte performs oboe and English horn within the Salt Lake Symphony and people sextet Purple Rock Rondo, whose DVD received two Emmy awards.