Yamas and Niyamas

Yoga helps with self-awareness, who we are, how we think and perceive things. We may then look to make changes, over time.

In yoga the attitude we have towards ourselves is called niyama and yama is the term for the attitude we have towards people and things outside ourselves.

The Yamas

According to yoga teachings, behaviours we should adopt in our daily lives are as follows:

• Ahimsa – non-violence, kindness, compassion.

• Satya – Truthfulness, no lies. If speaking the truth has negative consequences for others however, it might be best to say nothing.

• Asteya – Do not steal or take advantage.

• Brahmacarya – Mostly used in relation in the sense of abstinence, in relation to sexual activity. A movement towards essential and in a truthful relationship.

• Aparigraha – Only taking what is necessary and not taking advantage of the situation.

The Niyamas

Attitudes we should aim to adopt towards ourselves are below:

• Sauca – cleanliness both inner and outer. Inner cleanliness refers to health and caring for ourselves. The practice of asana and pranayama promotes inner cleansing.

• Samtosa – Being content and being able to accept things that happen that is out of our control.

• Tapas – keeping the body fit, healthy and cleansing the body. This can be done through asana, pranayama and eating healthy, and not eating if not hungry.

• Svadhyaya – self reflection.

• Isvarapranidhana – To do your best but accept there is a higher power.