(First published 3/2/2008)

Following on from Inside Yoga 2 in which I introduced hatha yoga and its meaning. The basic tenets of yoga are described in the form of “eight limbs” or “steps”. Or alternatively, these can be seen as the eight branches of a tree, all equally connected to the trunk and core.

The eight steps are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi.

Yama and niyama are ethical guidelines, each with five parts.

Yama explains the codes of ethical behaviour to be observed and followed in everyday life. In other words yama is guide to how to interact with the world around you. They remind us of our responsibilities as social beings.

The five yamas:

1 Ahimsa or non-violence: This includes both towards to all beings and also to your self. It also means “cruelty” or “injustice”. Ahimsa also means kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration of other people and things. Do not be aggressive towards yourself with regard, for example, that yoga posture that you are determined to get into. You could hurt yourself. Do not hurt yourself or others.

2 Satya or truthfulness: Being honest to others and to yourself, but one must exercise wisdom, because if the truth could hurt unnecessarily, then perhaps nothing said is best. The Indian epic, the Mahabharata says: “Speak the truth which is pleasant, do not speak unpleasant truths. Do not lie, even if the lies are pleasing to the ear.”

3 Asteya or freedom from avarice or greed (don not steal): Easy to understand, but very hard to practice in our society, with the amount of encouragement we get to spend and consume. Moderation is a key concept of yoga.

4 Brahmacharya: I have seen various interpretations of this often misunderstood yama. In literal translation it can be explained as “to move with the truth” (in terms of the one essential truth). It suggests that we form relationships that foster our understanding of the highest truths. However, it is commonly seen as being chastity or celibacy. This does not have to mean total abstinence, but guides one towards a disciplined sexual life. Exercise moderation in the way desires lead us, be it within a relationship or when seeking one. We must take care to keep our direction and not to get. Or in other words, lust can blind our senses to what is important and our goals. Enjoy yourself, but remain aware. Overall, it means responsible behaviour with respect to our goal of moving toward the truth (brahma).

5 Aparigraha or freedom from desire: This can mean desire of anything, from inner desires of happiness to desires for food, sex, drink, and the latest consumer product. Think of ourselves as a pendulum, swinging one way and then the other, from desires (grasping) at one end to aversion (pushing away) at the other. The intensity of the swing is affected by the strength of desire and aversion. Through yoga we aim to stop this swinging, so that we still enjoy everything but in a more stable fashion.

The five niyamas: These are the things we aim for, through discipline, so that we can remove inertia, and to cultivate the energy to pursue an improved quality of life.

1 Saucha or cleanliness: This refers to both external cleanliness and internal cleanliness (i.e.: healthy diet and so forth). Cleanliness helps in many ways, it helps your self-esteem and feelings of self worth – see it this way, dirtiness is like a weight holding you down and back. Remove it and one feels lighter and clearer.

2 Santosa or contentment: This is not to be confused with happiness which I mentioned at the beginning: happiness in yoga can be seen as trapped in the pendulum of unhappiness and happiness, swinging to and fro and never at peace. Contentment is a more subtle sense of unconditional well-being and satisfaction. A more grounded sense of joyful peace that once established will be your stable base to help you through life’s trials and tribulations. It means being content with what we have and equally what is happening. Often we hope for a certain result to ensue from our actions, but end up disappointed. Santosa is about accepting what has happened. And then you can move on from there.

3 Tapas or austerity: Sounds strong, but doesn’t need to be. It involves self-discipline and the desire to purify the body, senses and mind. Literally it means heat the body, and by doing so, to cleanse it. It is linked with healthy diet to fuel that heat. Another interpretation, it is that drive we need to achieve a goal. Once applied here in yoga it will help you with other aspects of your life – yoga practice provides the tools to deal and cope with daily life, and above all, enjoy it too.

4 Svadhyaya or the study of one’s own self: Yoga is a process of going within, to see what is there and to improve what you find. If we don’t sort ourselves out it is hard to do the same with the world around us; clean your own yard before doing the same to your neighbour’s; you cannot change the world until you have changed your inner world. These phrases point to the same idea. And yoga is that reminder to spend a little time to learn about yourself. This part can also refer to study of yoga texts to help guide you. These texts are usually written in aphorisms which are then used to prompt thought and reflection, or if you are with a teacher, the teacher can explain them.

5 Isvara pranidhana or devotion: This can be seen as devotion to god, but equally this is valid for the atheists and agnostics among us. It can mean being devoted to the truth (that is, universal truths). For example, this can mean being devoted to opening our hearts to the goodness around us, and also having faith that at our core, or innate nature, we are pure and good.

These are the yamas and niyamas. Personally, when I first came across them, some had little meaning to me, especially the last one. But as I continued to practice yoga I began to see how they are all relevant to me in some way and can guide me. It is important to know that yoga is relevant to all of us. It can help everyone. And through time, the amount of relevance a certain yama and niyama has to you will vary. Yoga is a personal journey and is up to you how you travel along it, but remember to stay on that path.

It helps to have a relaxed yet alert approach to yoga and the philosophy. A useful piece of advice is to exercise moderation yet be disciplined. Yoga is beautifully subtle yet powerful, paradoxical in many ways, but yet clear and direct.

In the other six parts of hatha yoga one learns how to put the yamas and niyamas into practice.
I will go into the other parts of the eight limbs in forthcoming chapters of Inside Yoga. If you have any questions and what I have explained, please send me an email.

To be continued…