Yamas

Yama is the first "limb" of Ashtanga Yoga. The Yamas are universal practices, or codes of conduct and moral disciplines directed towards the outside world — towards other people, animals and the environment. In essence, the five Yamas ask a practitioner to avoid violence, lying, stealing, the wasteful use of energy, and possessiveness. Observing them helps a person move forward in both personal and spiritual development and attain a healthy mind and body; and they are best followed for their own sake, without a desire for any end-goal.

The five Yamas

Ahimsa — non-violence

Ahimsa means non-harming. It is the practice of kindness towards others, towards animals and towards ourselves in every thought and action. When we are compassionate and accepting of all ways of life, we can handle any situation with grace. Ahimsa is treated as the most important of all the principles.

Satya — truthfulness

Satya means refraining from dishonesty — living with integrity and avoiding falsehood and betrayal in thought, word and deed. There is, however, one key limit: because Ahimsa comes first, if speaking the truth would cause harm or violence, the option chosen should be the one that does not cause harm.

Asteya — non-stealing

Asteya means non-stealing. It teaches that everything we truly need in life is already within us. By rising above our base cravings we become self-sufficient and no longer desire what lies outside ourselves. Feeling gratitude for what we have, and taking only what is freely given, removes envy and entitlement and makes room for genuine generosity.

Brahmacharya — wise use of energy …