Tag Archives: yama and niyama

Niyamas – do the practice for yourself

The yamas or restraints are practiced for the purpose of living together in harmony. It’s like mowing the lawn and cleaning the weeds and trash in your yard. You do it to be a better neighbor, and to make the … Continue reading

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The breath as a teacher of aparigraha

The fifth yama or restraint is non-hoarding, non-greed or non-attachment. There is a balance that must be found between gratefully taking and receiving all that we need, and then letting go of everything else. We must abundantly nourish our body, … Continue reading

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Aparigraha

The last of the yamas, Aparigraha means “nongrasping” or “non-greed.” It is the freedom to be content and take pleasure in what you have and to genuinely be happy for others in what they have acquired. 

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Brahmacharya – the “why” of yamas and niyamas

While ahimsa – non-violence and compassion is the yama that should surround every other yoga ethical principle, I have discovered from studying the historical and literal translation of brahmacharya that it is the reason we follow any of the 8 … Continue reading

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The fourth Yama–Brahmacharya

                                                The Parable of the Robin As I am writing this blog, I can hear my little robin friend downstairs outside my dining room window.  He spends all day there.  He sits in the branch of my quaking aspen tree … Continue reading

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Quotes on Asteya

“Finding the difference between wants and needs seems to be a difference in attitude to ‘what can I get: to ‘what can I give.”  “What can I get” is an attitude of wanting, possessing, and hoarding.  “What can I give” … Continue reading

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The body is a teacher of Asteya

Our physical body is the perfect teacher of Asetya or non-stealing. It is impossible to steal and hide the consequences from the body. We may not see on the outside the payment that is required from our actions, but there … Continue reading

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Asteya

 “Don’t steal, the Yoga Sutra says, and all good things will come to you.  Because asteya is commonly translated to mean refraining from taking anything that is not freely offered, the first things most people think of are money, clothes, … Continue reading

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Asteya as illustrated in western stories

The principles of the yamas and niyamas are universal in nature. We have many fables and stories in the west that teach and illustrate the same thing. Swami Satchidananda’s said that “If we are completely free from stealing and greed, … Continue reading

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Asteya or Non-stealing

The third restraint in yoga’s moral code is Asteya or non-stealing. In our community we know it as Thou shalt not steal. Respect for other’s property.  Simple. To steal. To take what you have not earned. To take what belongs … Continue reading

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