Written by Molly Schreiber, Founder + CEO, Challenge to Change, Inc.
" The Yamas and Niyamas free you to take ownership of your life and direct it towards the fulfillment that you seek." ~ Molly Schreiber
Today I'm excited to talk to you about the Yamas and Niyamas. If you've spent any time with me over the past six months, you know I absolutely love to talk this topic! I have been so inspired by Deborah Adele's book, The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice. I even had the privilege of seeing her in person for a weekend workshop hosted by Body & Soul last year.
The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical guidelines in the practice of yoga that help individuals cultivate a more mindful and compassionate way of living. They serve as a blueprint for how to interact with the world around us and ourselves in a way that promotes peace, harmony, and spiritual growth.
As many of you already know, yoga has eight limbs as laid out by Patanjali.
Those eight limbs are:
The Yamas - the moral disciplines and restraints
The Niyamas - the positive duties or observances
Asana - the postures and movement
Pranayama - breathing techniques
Pratyahara - the withdrawal of the senses
Dharana - focused concentration
Dhyana - meditation
Samadhi - bliss, enlightenment, God moments
This blog will focus on the first two limbs of the eightfold path of yoga, the Yamas and Niyamas. Within this blog, I will outline the Yamas and Niyamas and how they can be observed and practiced within daily life. I like to refer to the eight limbs as a toolkit for living a fulfilled, skillful life. So if you know how to live your best life inwardly, you're able to live your best life outwardly.
Unpacking the Yamas
The Yamas are the first limb of the eightfold path of yoga and consist of five ethical principles that guide our interactions with others. The Yamas and the Niyamas are like a detailed map. They're telling you where and how to look for the next landmark in your life. The Yamas and Niyamas free you to take ownership of your life and direct it towards the fulfillment that you seek.
The Five Yamas
The five Yamas are self-regulating behaviors involving our interactions with other people and the larger world around us.
1. Ahimsa (non-violence): Ahimsa is the practice of non-violence in thought, word, and action towards all living beings. This principle teaches us to be kind and compassionate towards ourselves and others and to avoid causing harm or suffering. I often try to practice Ahimsa by helping a bird that might get trapped or letting a spider go outside.
2. Satya (truthfulness): Satya is the practice of speaking and living in truth. It encourages us to be honest with ourselves and others, and to live authentically without deception or falsehood.
3. Asteya (non-stealing): Asteya is the practice of non-stealing, both physically and emotionally. It teaches us to be content with what we have and to respect the possessions and boundaries of others. So if you're someone who shows up late, that's stealing of their time because it's like you're saying 'I'm more important than they are.' So part of practicing Asteya might be communicating that you are going to be late to give them that time back.
4. Brahmacharya (moderation): Brahmacharya is the practice of moderation and self-control. It encourages us to use our energy wisely and to avoid excessive indulgence in sensory pleasures. When I practice Brahmacharya, it's often when I'm getting rid of the excess in my life. Now that doesn't mean just clothes, purses,
or knickknacks in my house. It also can be the excess that I put in my life of "Netflixing" or the excess I put in my life of scrolling through TikTok.
5. Aparigraha (non-attachment): Aparigraha is the practice of non-attachment to material possessions and desires. It teaches us to let go of attachment and to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what we have. So this is always knowing that the grass is not greener on the other side of the fence and being happy and grateful in your life, no matter the circumstances.
Aparigraha is probably the Yama I struggle with the most, especially living in a world full of social media, advertisements, and constant messages from the news. It’s challenging to avoid getting caught up in comparisons and desires for more. Practicing Aparigraha is a daily commitment for me—a reminder to stop looking at the "greener grass" elsewhere and instead focus on nurturing what’s growing in my own garden.
Unpacking the Niyamas
The Niyamas are the second limb of the eightfold path of yoga and consist of five personal observances that guide our interactions with ourselves and relate to our inner world.
The Five Niyamas
1. Saucha (purity): Saucha is the practice of cleanliness and purification, both externally and internally. It encourages us to take care of our physical bodies and surroundings, as well as our mental and emotional well-being.
The last time that I practiced Saucha, it was purity in my speaking words. There are times that I really like to cuss just as a way to add another adjective in to emphasize what I'm feeling. But by practicing Saucha, I want purity in my words. Because even though it doesn't bother me to speak those words, it may come across to someone else as offensive or not something that resonates with their soul.
2. Santosha (contentment): Santosha is the practice of contentment and gratitude for what we have. It teaches us to find peace and happiness in the present moment, rather than constantly seeking external validation or pleasure.
Santosha is something I often take for granted. I frequently think to myself, “I truly love my family and the work I do.” When I practice Santosha, I find that this sense of contentment fills my life, bringing me a warm, yummy feeling inside.
3. Tapas (discipline): Tapas is the practice of self-discipline and perseverance. It encourages us to cultivate inner strength and willpower, and to overcome obstacles through dedication and hard work.
I’ve always been someone who spends quite freely, so for me, Tapas often relates to money management and budgeting discipline. It encourages me to reflect on my self-discipline in this area while also learning to approach it without fear. This can involve taking steps to improve my financial situation, such as hiring a financial advisor or accountant or closely collaborating with my tax professional.
4. Svadhyaya (self-study): Svadhyaya is the practice of self-reflection and self-awareness. It encourages us to examine our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, and to constantly strive for personal growth and self-improvement.
It could involve discovering a podcast that truly benefits your life. Right now, I’m listening to one called The Mindset Mentor, which has been incredibly helpful for my mindset and self-exploration. Understanding who I am is an ongoing journey.
I see us as beautiful onions growing in a magnificent garden, continually peeling back layers to reveal our true core. We can achieve this by dedicating time to practice Svadhyaya, engaging in self-study and inner exploration.
5. Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power): Ishvara Pranidhana is the practice of surrendering to a higher power or divine presence. It teaches us to let go of our ego and trust in a higher purpose or universal energy that guides and sustains us.
Often, we cling tightly to things out of fear. Learning to let go of that fear is a practice of surrender. When you practice Ishvara Pranidhana, it might involve a relationship with someone where you consciously release your grip and allow things to be as they are, while still feeling safe and secure in the process.
Living Your Yoga with the Yamas and Niyamas
I had the privilege of sitting down with fellow Changemaker, Allegra Johnson, for a recent episode of The Best Version of Myself Podcast. Allegra is just as passionate about the Yamas and Niyamas as I am, so it was such a invigorating experience to be able to dive into this topic in more detail with her.
In this episode, Allegra and I talk about living your yoga off the mat with the Yamas and Niyamas as a guide.
By incorporating the Yamas and Niyamas into our daily lives, we can cultivate a greater sense of mindfulness, compassion, and self-awareness. These ethical guidelines serve as a roadmap for living a more conscious and purposeful life, and can help us navigate the challenges and complexities of the modern world with grace and integrity. As we strive to embody these principles in our thoughts, words, and actions, we not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful world for all beings.
Peace,
Molly
P.S. This blog post was inspired by my upcoming Masterclass which will take place on Thursday November 14th!
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