In Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar says those who establish brahmacharya “develop a fund of vitality and energy, a courageous mind and a powerful intellect so that one can fight any type of injustice.”

The five Yamas can be thought of as commandments for morality, and guidelines on how to live a fulfilling life. As the entry into the yogic practice, these disciplines help shape students’ thoughts, words and actions, before moving on to deeper practices.