The 8 Limbs of Yoga: Yamas
When we think of yoga, most of us immediately go right to the physical practice: the flexibility, the upside down, balancing poses, the postures where we think to ourselves, “how the f*ck did they get their body into that position?!”
But, what many people don’t realize is that the asanas (postures) are only one small piece of yoga, and that yoga actually has 7 other parts - or “limbs” - that make up the entire practice.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga as they are known, offer guidance on how we can live a more purposeful and meaningful life, and as I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear, apply to our practice on the mat and how we carry ourselves through our day-to-day lives. Often the 8 Limbs of Yoga are intertwined into a yoga teacher’s class through the messaging that they use as they’re guiding you through the postures, but since this is an aspect less commonly discussed, I have decided to start a little series of blog posts where I will share more about the 8 Limbs of Yoga… not just the asanas!
The first of the 8 Limbs of Yoga is the Yamas. The Yamas, which translates to “moral restraints”, are made up of 5 practices that primarily focus on how we interact with ourselves and the world around us. So, let’s dive in, shall we? The 5 Yamas are:
1) Ahimsa: Non-violence. This is the practice of non-violence, or non-harming, towards all living things. Not only to others, to animals, and to the Earth… but also, and maybe most importantly, to the self. This includes not participating in physical acts of violence, not thinking negative thoughts about ourselves, and not speaking in ways that harm others.
2) Satya: Truthfulness. Satya is the practice of being truthful in your thoughts, speech and actions, and of seeking the truth in all situations. The first step is practicing truthfulness with ourselves so that we may then practice truthfulness in every area of our lives, as well.
3) Asteya: Non-stealing. Beyond the physical act of stealing, non-stealing references our craving for artificial needs. Asteya was one of the 11 Vows Gandhi practiced. It is said that the desire or want is the cause of stealing, so this Yama teaches us that we must practice looking inward to discover why we might want something in the first place, and get to the root cause so we may heal it within ourselves. It’s a lesson in learning to be grateful for what we have, rather than angry about what we don’t have.
4) Brahmacarya: Moderation. This Yama is often translated to abstinence or celibacy… which makes it probably the least popular of the Yamas! Traditionally, the purpose of Brahmacarya was to help those on the Yogic path conserve their sexual energy to help them further progress forward. However, the broader translation of “the use of right energy” is more prevalent. This Yama is leading us to look at how we are using our energy and what we are giving our attention to, so that we can ask ourselves if this is the best use of our energy in pursuit of our goals and our highest self. It also encourages us to direct our energy away from external desires that seem like a good idea in the moment, but are ultimately fleeting.
5) Aparigraha: Non-Attachment. The last of the Yamas teaches us to only take what we need, keep only what serves us in the present moment, and to know when it’s time to let go. This is a primary focus of all the yoga classes I teach… I remind my students to tune into their breath, clear their mind, and allow thoughts that are not serving them in the present moment to fall away. Another way of looking at it is to not be attached to the outcome of our actions, but rather the here and now of the moment and the action we’re taking.
According to B.K.S. Iyengar, the father of Iyengar Yoga and one of the most influential yoga teachers in the world, the Yamas are:
“unconditioned by time, class and place.”
Meaning that no matter who you are, where you come from, or how much yoga you practice, you can still practice the Yamas and instill their values within you. So, regardless of if you consider yourself to be a “yogi” or not… how can you bring more of the Yamas into your life? Maybe start with one that really speaks to you and work them in gradually. Maybe there is one area here that you know you need to do some work on. Regardless, just remember that there is no right or wrong starting place, and that the Yogic path is a journey not a destination.
xo,
Kelsey