Yamas + Niyamas: Yoga Inspired Lifestyle
Oh my, this is my absolute favorite aspect of the yoga practice! When I first discovered the yamas + niyamas during my Yoga Teacher Training, it felt like I had stumbled upon the missing piece I had been yearning for all my life, even though I hadn't actively sought it out!
Yoga is not just about stepping onto the mat for a physical practice; it encompasses every aspect of our daily lives. Allow me to rephrase that: I embrace yoga in every moment of my existence. The yamas + niyamas, which are essential components of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, serve as a profound guidebook that I live by and turn to when navigating the ebb and flow of life's highs and lows.
My passion for living in accordance with these principles knows no bounds, and I am equally enthusiastic about sharing them through my teachings. They infuse my philosophy classes, meditations, and asanas with a sense of purpose and inspiration. So, my dear friends, let's embark on a journey of exploration as we delve into the profound wisdom of the Yamas and Niyamas and discover what they entail.
During my transformative Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) journey, I found myself still in the early stages of my yoga practice, primarily focused on the physical aspect—the asanas. However, it didn’t take long during my training for me to realise that there was an expansive realm of wisdom awaiting exploration. I had merely dipped my toe into one-eighth of the vast ocean that is yoga.
I developed a special resonance for the insights found within the realm of yoga philosophy. It was as if I had finally discovered a profound understanding, a connection that resonated with the depths of my being.
Through the study + embodiment of yoga philosophy, I began to integrate these timeless teachings into every aspect of my life.
Still to this day, I am still deep diving into the boundless ocean of yoga, uncovering the treasures of ancient wisdom + integrating them into daily life.
Think of the yamas as a guide book on how to be a good human being! They include the teachings + practices of: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness) asteya (non-stealing), bramacharya (protection of energy) + aparigraha (non-attachment).So what are the five yamas?
Like the yamas, a guide book for personal behaviour. They include saucha (purity), santosha (contentment), tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-study) + ishvara pranidhana (surrender). Personally, I find them very closely linked. The yamas are more outward practices + the niyamas are more inwards practices, but I personally feel like I applying them to both.
The Yamas
Ahimsa - translates to mean non-violence + non-harming. We might think about this in the physical sense but what about non-violence with the words we speak? This is about living a non-violent life towards others, the world + to ourselves.
Satya - means truthfulness in the way we live, speak, behave, think. We often live life ignoring our truth - how we truly feel + what is in alignment for us.
Asteya- means non-stealing. We can apply it to non-stealing of our + other peoples time + energy. Time + energy are two of our most precious resources. They need protect, nurturing + boundaries putting in place for where is necessary. It's important to be respectful of other peoples time + energy, for example, showing up on time (not too late AND not too early) + being mindful of the balance in giving/taking in relationships.
Brahmacharya - originally meaning celibacy but it's intentions for that are to protect + preserve energy. We can think of this like protecting our energy (+ respecting of others) Where are you spending most of your energy?
Apariagraha - means non-attachment + non-hoarding with things physically + emotionally. This is about letting things naturally go + flow rather than resisting + gripping on.
The Niyamas
Saucha - means cleanliness + purity. It's about being mindful of what we put in our bodies, in our environment + in our minds.
Santosha - is the practice of contentment. In a modern world, we're so driven by the next best thing, that we forget to count our current blessings. It's okay to desire more but can we do so from a place of gratitude.
Tapas - is the practice of determination, discipline, commitment, dedication + showing up
Svadhyaya- is about self-study, self-awareness, getting out your comfort zone + growth
Ishvara Pranidhana - the dedication + surrender to a higher power, which could be a person, the universe, a religion - it's completely personal to you.
How to Practice the Yamas + Niyamas
So how to practice living the yamas + niyamas? This is a VERY brief explanation of the yamas + niyamas. The way I live my life is deeply inspired by the practice of yoga + I’m on a mission to help people practice yoga every day without having to step onto the mat. Yoga has helped me find + rediscover happiness, passion, purpose + freedom. I met a part of myself I didn’t know existed.
If you'd also like to dive in deeper, I highly recommend the 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali' - click here for the copy I read.
Learn More
Learn more about yoga-inspired living over on the Inspired Club.