Principles of Wholeness: Ethical Practice
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“When a yogin becomes qualified by practicing Yama and Niyama, then the yogin can proceed to asana and the other means.”
The beginning of all yoga is virtue. Like all wise people world-wide, the yogis of ancient India realized that certain behaviors are more conducive to healthy development than others, so they described and prescribed a code of conduct as a prerequisite foundation for Yoga: Yama, five abstinences that guide our relationships with others, and Niyama, five observances that guide our relationship with ourselves. Together, Yama and Niyama are an essential set of ten underlying principles (intentions, values, choices) that guide one’s yoga practice on and off the mat. These are the “ethical ground” from which all else grows.
Yama: Interpersonal Action
Kindness (non-violence) / Ahimsa
“Do no harm”—refrain from harming self, each other, and our world
Be kind and compassionate in your relationships with all sentient beings, including yourself
Choose sustainability over destruction in your personal lifestyle and professional practices
Truthfulness (non-lying) / Satya
Seek and speak the truth within and without
Promote and uphold truthfulness, even when unpopular and inconvenient
Refrain from deception, exaggeration, and gossip
Non-stealing / Asteya
Refrain from taking advantage of people or situations for personal gain
Refrain from taking or demanding anything—stuff, time, credit, money—that is not freely given or more than your fair share
Notice and rest in abundance
Sexual restraint and responsibility / Bramacharya
Embody your sexuality with respect for yourself and others
Develop conscious, reverent relationships
Be faithful to your relational commitments
Devote your energy to that which is sacred
Non-possessiveness / Aparigraha
Refrain from unnecessary acquisitiveness
Give generously of yourself, your time, and whatever else you have to offer
Remain unattached to possessions and results
Remember that you are not what you have
Recognize impermanence
Niyama: Personal Action
Purity / Saucha
Exercise good hygiene and nutrition
Purify body, heart, mind , and world of toxic patterns—negative thoughts, speech, and behaviors
Perform good deeds with good intentions
Contentment / Santosha
Accept the truth of what is
Embrace oneself as one is and others as they are
Practice gratitude
Self-discipline / Tapas
Burn through all obstacles to practice
Commit to your practice with a good attitude
Follow through on your highest intentions
Persevere, whatever happens
Introspection / Svadhyaya
Cultivate Self-awareness through conscious self-inquiry and self-study
Engage in regular spiritual/ethical reflection, contemplation and practice
Attune to your inner teacher
Devotion / Ishvara Pranidhana
Devote yourself to Oneness (Spirit, God, Divinity, what-have-you) within and without
Choose to serve something greater than self
Participate consciously in the interconnectedness of all living creatures
Cultivate humility
“Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go. What does matter is who you are when you get there.”