Yamas to help guide our behaviour

This third week of our session we focused on back bending asanas, and the overall universal techniques to proceed safely with backbends: always elongate the low back with some awareness and control of the firm abdominal cavity, emphasize the coiling of back ribs to the front, challenge the upper back to arch more than mid or low back.  And we dug into the stiffness of the thighs, and front abdominal area.

All of this coupled with consideration of the Yamas.

Ahimsa – the practice of not-causing-injury.  And if adept at this practice all hostilities will be given up in our presence.

Satya – non-lying, and searching for objective truth.  When truthfulness is confirmed in our behavior on all levels we receive positive fruits from our actions.

Asteya – Non-stealing, even giving up all craving of all things beyond basic needs.  If then, precious jewels will come our way!

Brahmacharya – extreme respect for the “creative force” in life.  If we understand and don’t abuse this aspect of life we will be full of vigor and vitality, and knowledge

Aparigraha – non-hoarding and non-coveting.  If we truly have and want only what we need at the time we need it, we are freed from fear and insecurity, and are then privy to the knowledge of why we are here, how we should live, and what our past, present and future life means.

Often when I’m faced with a challenge or situation where things clearly are not going well I try to review these five yamas.  If I had applied one or more of these “restraints” could a better result have occurred?

 

One Reply to “Yamas to help guide our behaviour”

  1. I appreciate the summary of class focus for the week and the accompanying list of Sanskrit yoga terms to consider. The summary of the focus of the class helps to make the practice in class extend throughout the week in my home practice, and having the terms written out, such as this week’s yamas, improves the odds of remembering them for more than ten minutes.
    It’s a bit like the difference between going to a museum with, say, hardly any prior knowledge of what you are looking at, and having a docent guide you. You see more when you know more.

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