The Yamas

Once you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you will likely feel that there is more going on than just making shapes with your body. The practice tends to spread change across our lives, often in ways we never anticipated.

The poses we practice in class, called asana, are only one limb of the 8 limbed path of yoga. Yoga is different from “exercise” much because of the 8 limbs. They offer guidance for life, not just physical fitness. They are:

 

1.       Yamas - ethics

2.       Niyamas – self discipline

3.       Asana - postures

4.       Pranayama – breath control

5.       Pratyahara – sensory withdrawal

6.       Dharana - concentration

7.       Dhyana - meditation

8.       Samadhi – ecstasy

The yamas are the ethical guide. They are guidelines for our interactions with others and the world, but also with our selves. There are 5:

Ahimsa – non-harming

Satya – truth-speaking

Asteya – non-stealing

Brahmacharya - moderation

Aparigraha – non-possessiveness

Ahimsa is probably the most frequently discussed yama, and its practice is a part of all of yoga’s limbs and all aspects of life. We begin to practice ahimsa by paying attention to whether our actions are causing harm. It can be as simple as noticing which postures irritate your knees and modifying appropriately. Many yogis interpret ahimsa as requiring a vegetarian or vegan diet. Others say it is about choosing only foods that do not harm. It can be as big as noticing whether any of your personal habits are harming your family, your friends, and the Earth.

Satya is my own favorite yama. There is a special freedom in deciding to speak only truth. When we recognize that lying hurts both ourselves and others, we recognize also that there is no benefit to lying and thus no need to do so.

Asteya encompasses the most obvious definition of non-stealing: not taking things that belong to others. It also includes not taking things that we do not need and not wasting what we do have, whether tangible or intangible.

Brahmacharya is most often translated as moderation now, but in classical translations it was “celibacy.” Nowadays it is usually interpreted as a general avoidance of excesses and being faithful and respectful within a monogamous relationship.

Aparigraha can be non-possessiveness or non-greed. This applies to material objects and intangible desires. This can be a tough one, but also simple. To quote the great Judith Hanson Lasater “Be happy with what you have.”

This is the briefest of descriptions of the yamas. There are whole books devoted to the discussion of the first 2 limbs of yoga. If you want to learn more, I highly recommend talking to your teachers or checking out the wealth of information available in books or articles online.

See you on the mat!

How often should I practice?

I am asked this question all the time. Just as there is no pose that works for every body, there is no practice schedule that works for every body. A good place to start is - as often as you can.

The more often you practice yoga, the easier it becomes.

If you take a class then come back a month later for another one, you are starting over again. If you come every week instead, you will remember a lot more.

What if you took 2 classes in one week? Now you’re on to something. There is less time for your body to tighten back up between classes, so you feel a little more flexible each time.

How about 3 classes? There is even less space between sessions, and thus less time for your body to tighten back up.

How much is too much? Most styles of yoga recommend either a daily practice or six days per week and one day of rest. There are yogis at takeyoga who drop in once per month and yogis who practice twice per day. My favorite answer: listen to your body.

How much is enough? Any time you can get to class, it’s worth it. Even if you are only coming once per month or once per season, that still means you are taking time to take care of your body and your self. It’s much easier to increase the frequency of your practice than to come back after years away.

See you on the mat!

Leigh Ann