The Yamas – The first of the eight limbs of Yoga

The first limb of yoga focuses on how we interact with the world around us 

If you hang around a yoga studio long enough, you may hear about the eight limbs of yoga, which will lead the practitioner to enlightenment. Yoga poses, or asanas, are only the third limb, after a series of guidelines on how the yogi should interact with the outside world, and what individual disciplines to live by. The eight limbs in order are:

Yamas

Niyamas

Aasanas

Pranayama

Pratyahara

Dharana

Dhyana

Samadhi

Each limb is meant to build on the other, with Samadhi — or enlightenment — being the ultimate goal.

In this article, we’ll explore the first limb, The Yamas, which are described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as ethical disciplines.

The Yamas are:
Ahimsa - Non-vioence 

Satya - Truth 

Asteya - non-stealing 

Brahmacharya - right use of energy 

Aparigraha - Non-coveting or non-greed 

These five disciplines teach the yogi how to interact with the outside world. In the book Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar says chaos, violence, untruth, stealing, dissipation and covetousness are rooted in the emotions of greed, desire and attachment. 

“Pantanjali strikes at the root of these evils by changing the direction of one’s thinking along the five principles of yama,” Iyengar writes. 

Though the translations of the Yamas may seem simple, there is more complexity behind each discipline. Let’s dive in. 

Ahimsa - “Non-violence” 

The first of the Yamas, if lived out fully, would take care of all the rest. The principle of non-violence extends beyond physical violence and into our words and actions. At its core, violence is the absence of love. 

To truly live out Ahisma, we must not only focus on how not to live, but how to live and treat others. A true yogi rejoices in helping others be happy, and “becomes a source of joy to all who meet him.” (Light on Yoga) 

Let’s ask ourselves, how have we commited violence? Through unkind words? Through actions that hurt another? What ways can we live the principle of Ahisma every day? 

“Violence arises out of fear, weakness, ignorance or restlessness,” Iyengar writes in Light on Yoga. “What is most needed is freedom from fear….. Violence is bound to decline when men learn to base their faith upon reality and investigation rather than upon ignorance and supposition.”

Which leads us to the next Yama… 

Satya - “Truth”

The second Yama, Satya, is translated to “Truth or Truthfulness.” It is not only concerned about the lies we tell others, but the lies you tell ourselves. Are we living a life truthful to our convictions? Do we accept things as they truly are, rather than how we wish they would be? 

To live out Satya, we must dig deeper, past our emotions, to live in truth. 

Asteya - “non-stealing” 

The third Yama goes beyond simply not taking what belongs to others, into the ways we misappropriate and misuse things. To live out Asteya we must examine the many different ways we steal. Is it through stealing another’s time by being late? How can we not take more than we need? 

Brahmacharya - the right use of energy 

“Brahmacharya is the battery that sparks the torch of wisdom” 

-Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar 

Literally translated, Brahmacharya means “celibacy.” Modern application lends itself to the idea of using our energy in the correct way, and directing our energy away from worldly desires.

Aparigraha - Non-coveting or non-greed

This yama is closely related to Asteya, or non-stealing, in the way it means to not hoard or collect things we do not need. In today’s age of social media and access, it is harder than ever to find contentment and not want more. Through Aparigraha, the yogi asks themselves what they truly need and reassesses their desires. 

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 deeper into the practice. 

If you would like to learn more about the Yamas, or the deeper aspect of Yoga Philosophy, follow along as we dive deeper into each of the eight limbs of yoga on our blog, and keep an eye out for Yoga 4 Everybody’s book club, coming soon!!