Foundation of Yoga
Since I’ve been teaching yoga, I’ve never mentioned Yama and Niyama in my classes, because I didn’t want my students to associate yoga with religion as yoga is not a religion but a way of living a good life by following eight limbs of yoga. As you already know two limbs of yoga : asana and pranayama, today I will mention two more which are Yama and Niyama and next time I will explain the following four limbs.
Our practice should begin with Yama and Niyama and then extend into asana (physical exercises), pranayamas (breathing exercises) and meditation. Many people come to yoga initially as a physical exercise and only later begin to understand the profound spiritual effect it has on their lives. First we need to establish the precepts of social discipline ‘Yama’ (ethical behavior or ‘right living’).
The five Yamas of Patanjali’s yoga system are personal obligations to live well and they affect the yogi’s relations with others. The five Yamas are:
- Ahimsa - Non - violence, not harming other people, oneself, the environment.
- Satya – Truthfulness. Not intending to deceive others even in our thoughts as well as our words and actions.
- Asteya – Non stealing.
- Brahmacharya – Sexual responsibility, non-cheating on one’s partner.
- Aparigraha – Being free from avarice. The material wealth has absolutely no significance for Shiva.
The Niyamas are precepts of individual discipline. How we interact with ourselves, our internal world. The five Niyamas are:
- Shaucha – Cleanliness, purification.
- Samtasha – Contentment. The yogis tell us that when we’re perfectly content with all that life gives us, then we attain true joy and happiness. It frees us from the unnecessary suffering of always wanting things to be different.
- Tapas – is a yogic practice of intense self-discipline and attainment of will power. To do the things we don’t always want to but are good for us. Deep commitment to our yoga practice.
- Svadhyaya – study of the sacred scriptures and of one’s self. Our flaws give us the opportunity to grow and our mistakes allow us to learn.
- Dana – Giving. The perfection of generosity. Like all good deeds, an act of giving will bring us happiness in the future.
If asanas are done without extending intelligence to every body part and surface, without paying attention to our breath or if it is devoid of a spiritual aspect, it is not Yoga. Yoga is not so much about what is done but how it is done and what the effect of doing is.
Do yoga… commit… explore… breathe deeply… focus… don’t give in and don’t give up…enjoy the process...be happy…
Namaste!
