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There are many ways to practice yoga that extend well beyond the physical poses or asanas. In fact, there are eight other ways! The 8-limbed practice of yoga originates from the Yoga Sutras outlined by the sage Patanjali. Within these practices, you’ll find the Yamas + Niyamas, which are ethical guidelines and some of the foundational principles in yogic philosophy. They provide a framework for living a balanced and joyful life personally and to others.
Let’s explore the Yamas + Niyamas and how you can practice them on your mat and throughout your life:
Yamas – Moral Codes of Conduct
Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
Encourages love and kindness towards all things, including yourself. You can practice Ahimsa by minimizing your negative self-talk and instead speaking to yourself with love and kindness.
In class, you can practice Ahimsa by choosing a variation of a pose that honors your breath instead of choosing the more difficult option.
Satya (Truthfulness)
Encourages truthfulness in thoughts, words, and actions. But don’t forget to practice Ahimsa (non-violence) too!
Are you truthful to yourself about your needs and boundaries? When you’re not being truthful about these, you’re unable to be your most authentic self.
You can practice Satya when you listen to your needs and choose a class type that matches your energy level for that day. We recently wrote a blog on the different intensity levels so you can choose the perfect practice. You can read it: Here.
Asteya (Non-Stealing)
Don’t steal time, physical items, or joy from yourself or others. One of the goals of yoga is to decrease suffering; be mindful of how your actions can affect others.
For example, notice how you speak to yourself when you're getting dressed in the morning. Are you practicing kindness (Ahimsa or non-violence), or are you stealing from your joy by speaking down to yourself?
In class, you can accidentally steal from your practice by not being present in each pose and only focusing on what’s coming next. The next pose will come! How deeply and truthfully (Satya) can you feel into each asana?
Brahmacharya (Walking with the Divine)
Real talk: Brahmacharya traditionally meant practicing celibacy, but we like to take a modern approach and look at it as positively directing your energy .
It’s like Monopoly money, except we like to call them Prana Bucks. Just like in Monopoly, you only have a limited amount. Are you making wise choices, or are you depleting yourself too quickly and making those Prana Bucks rain?
In class, you can practice energy conservation by skipping vinyasas or by choosing less physically demanding variations. Or, if you need rest, choose a Yin class instead of a Flow-based class that day!
Aparigraha (Non-Grasping or Non-Possessiveness)
Aparigraha encourages letting go of what doesn’t bring you joy. How many times have you desperately held onto something that wasn’t serving you? It can be something as impactful as a job or as simple as a pair of jeans that don’t fit right. Aparigraha asks you to acknowledge your truth (Satya) and let it go!
In class, you can practice Aparigraha by focusing on what your body CAN do instead of grasping at what you think it should do. You’re doing enough. ✨
Niyamas - Personal Practices or Inner Observances
Saucha (Cleanliness)
The second Yoga Sutra written by the sage Patanjali is “Yogas citta vritti nirodhah,”
which means: Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff.
Practicing Saucha (Cleanliness) doesn’t mean you need to Marie Kondo your entire life or your mind-stuff. But how can you clean up your inner world, like your thoughts, and practice Ahimsa (Non-Violence) at the same time? Perhaps by practicing this, you’ll find more joy in life!
In class, you can apply Saucha and “clean up” your practice by being more mindful in each pose and by giving yourself the freedom to find alignment that works for you!
Santosha (Contentment)
Contentment is a practice of honoring the totality of your life and asks that you celebrate the good and acknowledge the yuck without becoming fixated (hello Aparigraha).
During class, a great way of practicing Santosha is by avoiding comparison. Everyone has a different practice, and no one is going to become enlightened by nailing a handstand. You’re doing great! Be content with all that you can do and try not to focus on what you can't.
Tapas (Internal Fire)
There’s a shamanic quote that asks people, “When did you stop dancing? When did you stop creating? And when did you stop singing?” This quote perfectly describes Tapas, when it’s not in use.
You know the feeling you get when you do something you love? That feeling is Tapas or your internal fire! How can you stoke that fire throughout your life? Sometimes that means choosing movement; other times, it means rest.
Practicing Tapas in class requires a lot of Satya (Truthfulness) and a big dose of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) as well. Because it can be easy to either overstoke the fire or not enough. Next time you’re in class, focus on the consistency of your breath – if it’s full and you’re feeling empowered, you’re doing great at nurturing your Tapas. If you’re feeling drained and your breath feels ragged, ease off – that’s your Tapas burning too strongly and depleting your energy (Brahmacharya).
Svadhyaya (Self-Study)
Learning who you are is one of the most important aspects of yoga! To find more joy in your life, you need to learn what your yeses and no’s feel like.
You practice Svadhyaya every time you practice yoga! It starts when you choose the right class for that day, when you pick the right variations during the practice, and in the stillness within the asana and meditation.
Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine)
Similar to Brahmacharya, Ishvara Pranidhana has traditionally meant connecting with the divine as in Brahman (a Hindu deity or god, known as "the Creator").
We also like to take a modern approach by looking at it as surrendering to your divinity and honoring your Divine Nature. You are made of the same elements as the earth, sun, and the stars! Ishvara Pranidhana asks that you surrender to the beauty and challenge of life, on and off of your mat.
If you're ready to learn how to live your yoga, registration for the next 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program is live! During the training, you'll learn from senior yoga teachers and Yoga Loft co-owners, Ashlee McDougall and Jackie Whately. You'll also learn how to apply the 8-limb practice of yoga, the Yoga Sutras, and the Yamas + Niyamas throughout your life.
To keep the training intimate, registration is limited to 10 students.
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