Yamas and Niyamas are ethical principles that form the foundation of yoga philosophy. The Yamas are the first limb of the eight-fold path of yoga, and they are the five ethical guidelines for social behavior. The Niyamas are the second limb of the eight-fold path and they are the five ethical guidelines for personal behavior.
The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight-fold path of yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras are a collection of aphorisms that outline the philosophy and practice of yoga.
The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical guidelines that are intended to help practitioners of yoga live a more conscious and mindful life. They are not meant to be strict rules or commandments, but rather principles that should be practiced with mindfulness and intention.
The Yamas are the five ethical guidelines for social behavior, and the Niyamas are the five ethical guidelines for personal behavior. Together, they form the foundation of the ethical principles of yoga.
The five Yamas are:
- Ahimsa: non-violence or non-harming. This principle advocates for refraining from causing harm to any living being, physically or mentally.
- Satya: truthfulness. This principle emphasizes the importance of honesty and truthfulness in thought, speech, and action.
- Asteya: non-stealing. This principle advocates for not taking anything that does not belong to you, whether it is material possessions, ideas, or credit for someone else’s work.
- Brahmacharya: celibacy or self-control. This principle emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-control in all aspects of life, including sexuality and indulgence.
- Aparigraha: non-attachment or non-greed. This principle advocates for letting go of material possessions, desires, and attachments, and focusing on the present moment instead.
The five Niyamas are:
- Saucha: cleanliness or purity. This principle emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and purity in thought, speech, and action.
- Santosha: contentment or gratitude. This principle emphasizes the importance of cultivating contentment and gratitude in all circumstances.
- Tapas: self-discipline or austerity. This principle emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and inner strength in achieving personal goals.
- Svadhyaya: self-study or self-reflection. This principle emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness in understanding oneself and one’s place in the universe.
- Ishvara pranidhana: surrender to a higher power. This principle emphasizes the importance of surrendering one’s ego and individual will to a higher power or purpose.
Overall, the Yamas and Niyamas provide guidance for living a more mindful, ethical, and harmonious life. Practicing these principles can help cultivate greater self-awareness, inner peace, and compassion towards others.