yamas + niyamas

feeding the practice

These golden rules for moral living create the backbone of the yogic teachings within the Yoga Sutras. These restraints and observances are part of the eight limbs described by Patanjali, and are suggested to the mumuksu, the seeker, for ethical living - a life in alignment, connection, receptivity and grace.

Take a moment to contemplate each of the Yamas and Niyamas. Ask yourself which ones of these topics come easy for you and which ones requires more introspection. Maybe different phases of your life have required different focus areas. Ask yourself where you often get stuck, where patterns or habits are holding you trapped. Maybe you have looked at the Yamas and Niyamas before. If so, we invite you to maintain the beginners mind where you look at these topics as if you have never contemplated them before. Each moment is a new moment and you are bound to new insights around these topics if you allow for new understanding to come to the surface, without holding these topics in the light of only a few interpretations or experiences. Stay curious.

There is always room for refinement when it comes to our relationship to these topics, thus we invite you to dive deep into this where you see appropriate in your life at this very moment in time. If this feels like a lot to bite into at once, dive into one topic until you feel ready to tackle the next - and observe how they interrelate with one another. Remember, that we observe the Yamas and Niyamas without any judgement toward ourselves or our journey. Staying open minded and open hearted - holding unconditional love toward ourself - is the foundation. Appreciate the journey and all that you witness along the way.

YAMAS - restraints - Harmony with the world
Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Non-violence
Satya (सत्य): Truthfulness
Asteya (अस्तेय): Not stealing
Brahmacharya (ब्रह्मचर्य): Walking with God/Spirit/Source/Awareness, proper use of energies, moderation, sensual restraint
Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): Non-possessiveness

NIYAMAS - ethical living - Harmony within oneself
Śauca (शौच): Purity of mind, speech and body
Santoṣa (सन्तोष): Contentment
Tapas (तपस्): Austerity, self-discipline, perseverance
Svādhyāya (स्वाध्याय): Study of self, contemplation, self-reflection
Īśvarapraṇidhāna (ईश्वरप्रणिधान): Contemplation of Ishvara (God, Self, Supreme Being, Brahman, Absolute, Unchanging Reality, Universal Consciousness), attunement to Spirit / the Supreme Consciousness