YogaLifeMore

As we step onto our yoga mat, we often focus on physical postures (asanas) as the primary aspect of our practice.

However, Yoga is a rich and multifaceted philosophy that offers a comprehensive path to physical, mental and spiritual, well-being.

At the heart of yoga philosophy lies the “Eight Limbs of Yoga”, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

They provide a framework to understand the true nature of yoga and they offer a roadmap for integrating the principle of yoga into our daily life.

This post will start with the first limb (the Yamas), and we will go deeper on each one of the ethics listed on it (The next 7 limbs will be detailed on the next Blog posts, stay tuned!).

YAMAS (Universal Ethics)

The Yamas are in total 5 universal timeless ethics that guide our interactions with others and ourselves.

They provide a foundation for living a compassionate, honest and self-aware life.

• Ahimsa:

Ahimsa is intended as “No-violence” in words, thoughts and deed. It’s about cultivating compassion, kindness and understanding toward all living beings, including ourselves.

In practicing Ahimsa we are asked to practice kindness through our words (also resolving conflicts in a peaceful and respectful manner), to pay more attention the way we think about others and ourselves and the way we act toward any being, not harming anyone, promoting a deeper appreciation and respect for the natural world, encouraging sustainable living and environment stewardship.

• Satya:

Satya is intended as “Truthfulness” in our words and actions.

It’s about being honest, authentic and transparent in all our interactions, building trust and respect in our relationships. Satya encourages us to speak our truth with kindness and attention and to live with integrity, aligning our words with our values.

• Asteya:

Asteya is the practice of “non-stealing”, in all its forms.

It’s about respecting the properties and the boundaries of others and, not taking what is not ours.

It also encourages us to be mindful of our own desires and needs.

• Brahmacharya:

It is the practice of “self-control” and “moderation” in all aspects of life. It’s about cultivating self-awareness, self-regulation and self-discipline.

Brahmacharya encourages us to cultivate inner-balance and harmony, promoting mindfulness and presence.

• Aparigraha:

It’s the practice of “non-possessiveness” and “non-attachment” to material possessions, relationships and outcome.

It encourages us to let go, cultivating a sense of inner-freedom, simplicity and contentment, an appreciation of what we already have, rather than constantly desire more.

As we explore deeper the Yamas, we are reminded that Yoga is not just practiced on the Mat, it is a way of life!.

If we start to integrate the Yamas into our daily lives, we begin to see the world in a new light. We recognize that every moment is an opportunity to choose kindness, honesty and compassion. We understand that our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves but for everyone and everything around us.

So, let us embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation, let’s remember that every moment is a choice and every choice is an opportunity to create a more compassionate and peaceful world.

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