Yoga is often thought of as something we do on a mat. We move, breathe, stretch, strengthen, soften, and perhaps leave class feeling a little more connected to ourselves.
But the deeper teachings of Yoga remind us that the practice is not only physical. Yoga is also a way of living, relating, choosing, speaking, and being in the world.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Yamas are known as the first limb of Yoga. Its important to note here that it's not the 8 steps of yoga - they are described as limbs and are part of the whole (Union). When the 8 limbs of yoga are alive within you, Union and the yogic state may be achieved.
The Yamas are often translated as ethical restraints, moral principles, or ways of conduct. But rather than seeing them as rigid rules, we can understand them as qualities that help us live with greater awareness.
The Yamas invite us to pause and notice:
How am I relating to myself?
How am I relating to others?
How am I moving through the world?
Are my actions coming from fear, pressure, grasping, and habit, or from care, truth, generosity, and presence?
The five Yamas are:
Ahimsa - non-violence
Satya- truthfulness
Asteya - non-stealing
Brahmacharya - right use of energy
Aparigraha - non-grasping or non-possessiveness
Together, they form a foundation for conscious living.
Within this journal, you’ll find gentle reflection points at the end of each Yama, inviting you to pause, notice, and bring these teachings into your own life.
Ahimsa: Non-Violence
Ahimsa begins with care. It is the practice of noticing where harm, pressure, harshness, or force may be present in our thoughts, words, or actions. Sometimes this is obvious. Other times it is subtle.
For example:
- We may speak kindly to others but criticise ourselves inwardly.
- We may push our bodies beyond what they need.
- Comparing our body or ability to others during an asana practice
- We may move through the day in a state of pressure, comparison, or impatience.
Ahimsa does not ask us to be perfect or passive. It asks us to become more aware.
It invites us to soften where unnecessary force is present and to choose responses that come from compassion and discernment rather than reaction.
This can be as simple as resting when the body is tired, speaking with kindness, honouring another person’s space, or noticing when the mind is being unkind.
Reflection:
Where do I notice harshness in the way I relate to myself?
What would it look like to offer myself a more care this week?
Satya: Truthfulness
Satya is the practice of truthfulness.
It asks us to live in closer alignment with what is real, in what we say, what we feel, what we choose, and how we show up.
Truth is not used as a weapon. Satya is practised together with Ahimsa. This means truth is expressed with awareness, compassion, and care.
Satya can mean:
- being honest about what we need.
- noticing the stories we tell ourselves
- asking: is this thought actually true?
The mind can repeat old patterns, doubts, and fears. It may tell us we are not capable, not worthy, not ready, or not enough. We learn from past experiences, and our upbringing can put certain walls up or create certain behaviors and beliefs in us.
Practicing yoga allows these truths to surface, and if practiced in an integrated way, can help you let go of unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back. Inside Buddhi Sangha, our online practice sanctuary, we use an integrated practice of Kriyā, meditation, mantra, yoga nidra, asana and reflection to support you in understanding and gradually releasing these old patterns.
Satya invites us to pause and question these inner voices.
Reflection:
What beliefs do I have that create conflict or difficulties in my life?
What negative thoughts do I seem to have that are repeated? Is this actually true?
Asteya: Non-Stealing
Asteya is often translated as non-stealing. On the surface, this means not taking what does not belong to us. But the teaching goes much deeper.
We can steal time by
- being careless with another person’s energy.
- being distracted and mindlessly scrolling on our phones
- not honoring our own growth, rest, or inner wisdom.
Asteya invites us into respect - respect for people’s time, shared spaces, the source of teachings, and for our own energy and attention.
In practice, this may look like arriving on time, listening fully, acknowledging where knowledge comes from, and being mindful of the impact we have on others.
Asteya reminds us that life is not only about what we take, but also about what we contribute.
Reflection:
Where in my life could I bring more respect to time, energy, or attention?
Am I taking more than I need, or am I contributing with awareness?
Brahmacharya: Right Use of Energy
Brahmacharya is sometimes translated as moderation or conservation of energy. In daily life, we can understand it as the wise use of our life force.
This Yama encourages us to become more conscious of what we consume, not only food, but also conversations, media, relationships, habits, and environments.
It is not about restriction. It is about alignment.
When we use our energy wisely, we are less scattered. We become more present. Even simple acts walking, eating, speaking and listening can become more mindful and sacred.
Within Buddhi Sangha, our online practice sanctuary, we support this through seasonal Sādhanas with a clear energetic focus - helping to channel your energy with intention, rather than dispersing it across disconnected practices.
Reflection:
What gives me energy?
What depletes me?
How can I protect and honour my energy this week?
Aparigraha: Non-Grasping
Aparigraha is the practice of non-grasping, non-possessiveness, and letting go.
It asks us to notice where we cling, to objects, outcomes, identities, roles, relationships, ideas, or control.
So much suffering comes from the belief that we must hold tightly in order to feel safe. Aparigraha gently teaches another way.
We can simplify.
We can share.
We can give.
We can trust life a little more.
This does not mean we stop caring. It means we loosen the grip of fear and greed.
When we are full within ourselves, giving becomes natural. We begin to see that what we have is not only for us, but can also serve others.
Reflection:
What am I holding onto that may no longer be needed?
Where could I practice generosity, simplicity, or trust?
The Yamas as a Living Practice
The Yamas are not something we master once and move on from. They are living practices. They meet us in everyday moments: in traffic, in conversation, in our relationships, in the yoga room, in the way we speak to ourselves, and in the choices we make as part of a wider world.
They invite us to live with more care, truth, respect, steadiness, openness, and unity.
The intention behind buddhi sangha
Within our online practice sanctuary, Buddhi Sangha, we take Yoga beyond the mat and into a steady, lived experience. Through guided practices, philosophy, and seasonal rhythm, the teachings begin to integrate more naturally into how you think, feel, and relate to the world.
Click below to watch our free masterclass to understand the how and why behind our practices within Buddhi Sangha.