Commentary by Dr. Sally Brown Bassett
Editor’s note: This is the first in an eight-week series on the Eight Limbs of Yoga.
Most people think yoga is only a physical practice. In fact, there are “Eight Limbs of Yoga” and only one is about the postures.
Before you ever get on a mat, a yogi should understand five social observances, or the first limb of yoga, called Yamas. As a yoga teacher training instructor, I often have new students sit to the right of the mat at the beginning of our first class to commit to these five guidelines for living harmoniously in the world.
The five external disciplines and restraints are:
- Non-violence (ahimsa)
Gandhi said that non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies. Every spiritual system in this world shares one common ground: the intention to not cause harm.
- Truthfulness (satya)
This yama is the avoidance of all falsehood, exaggeration and pretense. First and foremost, it must be in harmony with ahimsa.
- Non-stealing (asteya)
Asteya asks that we take only what is offered and use only what we need. This can be practiced in the realms of material resources, intellectual material and respect for others’ time and energy.
- Wise use of energy, including sexual energy (brahmacharya)
This yama has often been questioned if celibacy is required as a yogi. It is a commitment to use energy wisely, neither suppressing nor overindulging.
- Non-attachment (aparigraha)
Sogyal Rinpoche, author of “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying,” once said, “Freedom does not come from acquisition. It comes from letting go.” Buddha considered attachment to be a root cause of suffering. Author Charlotte Bell said, “As we come to peace with the reality of constant change, wisdom grows.”
And, like I end my overview of the Yamas with future yoga teachers, let me ask you a question. What yama is resonating with you to make an intention to deepen your commitment with restraining in that area?
