The First Limb of Yoga: Yama

Yama: How We Move Through the World

The first limb of The Eight Limbs of yoga is Yama, often translated as ethical restraints or principles for how we relate to other people and the world around us.

Patañjali identifies five Yamas:

• Ahimsa - non-harming

• Satya - truthfulness

• Asteya - non-stealing

• Brahmacharya - wise use of energy

• Aparigraha - non-grasping or non-possessiveness

Patañjali writes:

“Non-injury, truthfulness, abstaining from stealing, from impurity, and from covetousness.” - Yoga Sutra 2.30 (Swaveda)

At first glance, these may sound like rules. But yoga philosophy isn't particularly interested in morality for morality's sake. The yamas are practices for reducing the ways we create suffering - for ourselves and for others.

Take ahimsa, or non-harming. It can mean refraining from physical violence, but its application can be much subtler. How do we speak to someone when we're angry? How do we speak to ourselves when we make a mistake? Do our expectations create unnecessary suffering?

Satya, truthfulness, asks us to become honest without using honesty as an excuse for cruelty.

Asteya, non-stealing, can extend beyond taking someone's possessions. We can steal attention, time, credit, energy, or opportunity.

Brahmacharya asks us to consider how we use our energy. What receives our attention? What leaves us depleted? What actually deserves our life force?

And aparigraha, non-grasping, invites us to loosen our attachment to having, controlling, possessing, and holding on.

Patañjali calls these principles universal:

“The restraints... are the great vow.” - Yoga Sutra 2.31 (Swaveda)

Yama in everyday life

You don't have to be on a yoga mat to practice ahimsa. You can practice it in the car, in an argument, in an email, or in the way you speak to yourself after a difficult day.

You can practice satya by telling the truth kindly.

You can practice aparigraha by letting something be unfinished, uncertain, or outside your control.

The question becomes less, “Am I doing yoga?” and more, “How am I practicing yoga in this moment?”