Living Yoga “Off the Mat”
“Yoga is not a passive practice. Nor is it a practice to put down when you roll up your yoga mat. Yoga is, truly, an engaged social justice practice.”
Susanna Barkataki, Embrace Yoga’s Roots
Throughout the month of June, I will be covering the Yamas and Niyamas in my weekly yoga classes. I first learned of them in my teacher training. However, I haven’t really delved into them much on my own… Until now :)
The yamas and niyamas are the first two limbs of yoga from Patanjali’s eight limbed approach. Asana, or the physical practice of yoga, is the third. In our culture, we tend to start our yoga practice with the physical. It’s how I first came to yoga as well. While the eighth limbs could be viewed as a ladder, climbing one step at a time, I like to think of it as more fluid than that. Each person is different and will have more ease with some limbs than with others. We can move through the different limbs as we learn and return to them as needed throughout the learning process. This is also true of the yamas and niyamas.
The yamas and the niyamas are sometimes just referred to as “Yoga Ethics.” I like this condensed way of looking at it. It reminds me of their weight and importance. However, there is a simplicity about them as well. You can simply think of them as how to live your yoga “off the mat.” If you view yoga as a spiritual practice, then it will begin to seep into all areas of your life.
There are five each of the yamas and the niyams. The yamas are viewed as outward actions and how we relate and function in the world. The niyamas are more inner, personal guidelines to embark on your spiritual journey. However, there is much overlapping between the two groups. I love how Deborah Adele describes them, “ I often think of them as jewels, because they are the rare gems of wisdom that give direction to a well-lived and joyful life.” I definitely crave a joyful life and see how these bits of wisdom can provide that.
Here is an overview of all ten:
Yamas
Ahimsa, or nonviolence- This is about cultivating kindness and compassion for ourselves and others. Essentially, it is about doing no harm. Since it is first in this list, it guides how we relate with all the other yamas and niyamas and our yoga practice in general.
Satya, or truthfulness- This one is about speaking, acting, and living in a way that is real and honest to ourselves and others.
Asteya, or nonstealing- This is about not taking from others what is theirs. This could be physical possessions or intangible things like their voice or reputation.
Brahmacharya, or nonexcess- This one is really about “enough.” That will look differently for each person. However, tapping into your truthfulness, or satya, will guide you.
Aparigraha, or nonpossiveness- This one comes down to the idea of contentment and surrender. Practicing the act of surrender will lead to greater freedom in our lives.
Niyamas
Saucha, or purity- This is about cleansing our minds and bodies so as to have greater access to our spirit.
Santosha, or contentment- This one is about acceptance and appreciation of what is right now in this moment.
Tapas, or self-discipline- This is about commitment, but not in a grasping kind of way. It’s about cultivating balance between commitment with the ups and downs of life.
Svadhyaya, or self-study- This one is really about gaining an awareness of yourself. Get curious about what you like, how you react in different situations, and the stories you tell yourself.
Ishvara Pranidhana, or surrender- This one reminds us that even when we try our best, life happens and we do not have control over everything. Surrender to what is and focus on the ways that you show up in your life.
I will continue to post about each one as we work through them in class. If you’re interested in joining class, we meet Thursdays at 7:00pm in person or via Zoom. Feel free to reach out through email if you would like to sign up.
Book Resources
The Yamas and the Niyama, by Deborah Adele
Embrace Yoga’s Roots, by Susanna Barkataki
Light on Life, by B.K.S. Iyengar