What are the yamas and niyamas?
The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical principles and disciplines of conduct that are part of the yoga system, specifically of Raja Yoga and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
They constitute the first two steps of the eightfold path of yoga (Ashtanga Yoga), which seeks to guide the practitioner towards self-knowledge, inner harmony, and spiritual realization.
Yamas: ethical principles towards others
The yamas are ethical guidelines that govern our relationship with others and the outside world. They are considered as restrictions or abstentions that promote harmonious coexistence. There are five yamas:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Avoid causing physical, verbal, or emotional harm to others or oneself. It promotes compassion and respect.
- Satya (Truthfulness): To speak and act with honesty. To be true to the truth and avoid deception.
- Asteya (No stealing): Do not take what does not belong to us, whether material, time, or energy. It fosters gratitude and generosity.
- Brahmacharya (Moderation or control of the senses): Directing energy towards higher purposes. It is often interpreted as moderation, especially in sensory pleasures.
- Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness): Detachment from material things and the desire to accumulate unnecessary goods. It promotes simplicity and contentment.
Niyamas: personal disciplines
The niyamas are internal practices that guide the practitioner’s relationship with themselves. They help cultivate discipline, purity, and introspection. There are also five of them:
- Shaucha (Purity): Maintain the cleanliness of the body, mind, and environment. Fosters clarity and health.
- Santosha (Contentment): Practice gratitude and be satisfied with what you have. Accept circumstances with serenity.
- Tapas (Discipline or effort): Cultivate self-discipline and willpower to overcome obstacles and commit to practice.
- Svadhyaya (Self-study and study of spiritual texts): Reflecting on oneself and studying sacred or philosophical texts. Develops self-knowledge.
- Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to the Divine): Surrender the fruits of our actions to a higher power, such as God or the universe, and trust the process.
The Purpose of the Yamas and Niyamas
The Yamas and Niyamas are more than simple rules; they are principles designed to transform our life from the inside out. These ethical and personal practices seek to align our actions, thoughts, and emotions with our true essence.
Through the Yamas, we learn to live in harmony with others and the world around us. They invite us to cultivate values such as honesty, non-violence, and detachment, essential for balanced coexistence.
On the other hand, the Niyamas guide us in our relationship with ourselves. They foster purity, self-discipline, and spiritual connection, helping us create an internal space of peace and clarity.
Together, the Yamas and Niyamas act as a map towards a more authentic, fulfilling, and harmonious life. They are the foundation for progressing on the path of yoga and achieving personal fulfillment.
Your origin
The Yamas and Niyamas have their origins in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the most influential texts on yoga, written around the 2nd century B.C. This treatise describes the Ashtanga Yoga (the eightfold path) as a comprehensive system for achieving spiritual liberation.
These ethical principles did not emerge as rigid rules, but as guidelines for living in harmony with universal laws. Their purpose was to help the practitioner transcend the attachments of the material world and find inner peace.
The values described in the Yamas and Niyamas reflect ideas present in other philosophical traditions of India, such as the Vedas and Jainism, where non-violence, truthfulness, and self-control were emphasized as essential virtues.
Your practical and universal approach has allowed these principles to transcend time and culture, remaining relevant in modern life for those seeking a balanced and meaningful life.
The Relationship between Yamas and Niyamas
The Yamas and Niyamas are not independent practices; they are deeply interconnected and complement each other. Together, they form the ethical and personal foundation that supports the path of yoga, helping the practitioner balance their external and internal relationships.
For example, practicing Ahimsa (non-violence) in our words also requires the discipline of Shaucha (purity) in our thoughts, to avoid judging or criticizing others mentally. Similarly, the detachment of Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) finds an ally in Santosha (contentment), helping us to feel fulfilled with what we have.
While the Yamas invite us to refine our interaction with the world, the Niyamas guide us toward a deep self-exploration. This balance between the external and the internal creates a holistic practice that not only transforms our life but also prepares us to attain the highest states of meditation and self-knowledge.
In essence, the Yamas and Niyamas work as two sides of the same coin, reminding us that spiritual growth requires both a harmonious connection with the world and a deep commitment to our own being.
Reviews and Controversies
The principles of the Yamas and Niyamas, although fundamental to many yoga practices, have faced criticism and generated controversies in various contexts.
One of the main criticisms revolves around the apparent inconsistency in the application of these ethical precepts among yoga practitioners and teachers.
Cases of yoga instructors who violate ethical contracts or exhibit unprofessional behavior highlight a disconnection between the teachings of the Yamas and Niyamas and their implementation in daily life.
This inconsistency raises questions about the effectiveness of integrating these principles into contemporary yoga pedagogy, as many educators fail to incorporate the moral and ethical standards that they are supposed to promote.
Furthermore, the emphasis on personal responsibility and ethical conduct has led to debates about the broader social implications of individual actions.
Critics argue that when practitioners ignore these principles, the consequences can extend beyond the personal and affect the community as a whole.
For example, the case of a yoga teacher who did not secure health insurance, which led to a community effort to raise funds for their medical expenses, illustrates how individual failures in responsibility can impose burdens on others.
Another significant controversial topic is the interpretation of Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness. Critics argue that the emphasis on detachment can sometimes lead to misunderstandings about the nature of relationships and responsibilities within a community.
The challenge lies in balancing personal detachment with the social obligations that arise from interactions with others.
This tension is further complicated by the influence of the ego in practice; comparison and competition can hinder the true incorporation of Aparigraha, as practitioners may cling to a distorted self-image based on external validation.
Moreover, there are concerns about the commercialization of yoga in modern contexts, where the original spiritual and ethical frameworks of the Yamas and Niyamas may be overshadowed by a focus on physical practice and consumerism.
This commercialization runs the risk of reducing yoga to a mere exercise regime, sidelining the integral philosophical and lifestyle dimensions that the Yamas and Niyamas were designed to promote.
