How Yoga Teaches Us to Be Good People
Simple moral principles that can change the world.
When you think of yoga, you probably imagine people bending their bodies in intricate shapes and contortions, or recall the vinyasa flow that left you feeling empowered and energized, ready to conquer the world.
While these are indeed aspects of yoga, there is much more to yoga than the asanas, or postures practiced during a yoga flow.
The word yoga means “to yoke,” and can be interpreted as forming a union between the body and mind.
What many don’t realize is that yoga is a spiritual practice that has the capability to awaken the Divine within yourself, and connect you to none other than our Source Creator.
But to attain samadhi, or oneness with God (the ultimate goal of yoga), there are certain steps that must be taken.
According to The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an ancient text describing the theory and practice of yoga, there are eight limbs of yoga, the first being the yamas.
The Yamas of Yoga
One can view the yamas as moral codes to live by to guide you along your life path. When I think of the yamas, I’m reminded of the Ten Commandments from the Bible.
The yamas are guidelines that can help you master yourself and the world around you.
1. Ahimsa — Compassion
In Deborah Adele’s book, The Yamas and Niyamas, ahimsa is defined as the act of nonviolence. To practice ahimsa is to have compassion for all living things, including yourself.
When you find that you are in a negative loop of self-deprecating thoughts and speaking unkindly to yourself, remember ahimsa. When you are interacting with someone else who may be rude or unkind, remember ahimsa.
It’s not always easy to do, but as you strengthen this muscle, you spread love and kindness through your very interactions.
2. Satya — Truthfulness
Satya is the act of being truthful or honest in everything you do. It’s to be honest about your thought and actions, and in communication with others.
Sometimes facing the truth can be challenging — especially when we have to face truths about ourselves that we are ashamed of, or admit our wrongdoings.
Luke 12:2–3 states, “what is done in the dark will eventually come to light.” When you are tempted to be dishonest with yourself or anyone else, remember this verse.
Being truthful with ourselves and with others can feel gut-wrenching, but there is freedom in veracity.
3. Asteya — Abundance
Traditionally, asteya means non-stealing. One can also view it as abundance. When practicing asteya, remind yourself that you have everything you need.
With the world we live in, it is so easy for us to be caught up in material matters. Social media promotes a false reality of what life should be. We begin to desire and envy what others have, and may live with a scarcity mindset or in poverty consciousness.
Asteya reminds us that everything we need is within us. We do not have to take from others in order to be complete. Practicing gratitude is a wonderful way to connect with your inner abundance.
4. Brahmacharya — Conservation of vital energy
Everything is energy. The concept of brahmacharya refers to the ability to conserve our vital life force energy — our prana. It can also be interpreted as moderation or abstinence.
Either way, we must be mindful about how we expend our energy. Do you ever find yourself scrolling on social media for what felt like 15 minutes but in reality was two hours?
Brahmacharya reminds us to honor our energy and to use it for positivity. It is imperative that we recognize the sacredness of our prana and only use it for the betterment of ourselves and society.
5. Aparigraha — Non-possessiveness
Aparigraha translates to non-possessiveness, or having the ability to let go and surrender. As humans, it is natural for us to become attached to things, people, earthly possessions, and even outcomes. In doing so, we set ourselves up for disappointment.
Imagine would happen if we let go and surrendered to our attachments and expectations.
When we realize that the only things in this life that are guaranteed include death and change, we free ourselves from the constraints of what will be or what we expect.
Practicing aparigraha is freeing and allows us to surrender to the Universe while accepting that everything happens for a reason, in perfect order and Divine timing.
A Challenge to Remember
As you proceed in life, navigating both challenges and accomplishments, I encourage you to recall and embrace these five principles.
If each being on this planet lived by these guidelines, the world would be a happier place.
Even if all we did was practice ahimsa and ignored the four other guidelines, we’d life in a society enveloped in love and compassion for all of life’s living creatures.
