Study the Yamas & Niyamas at Karma Teachers
What are the yamas and niyamas?
The Yamas
Ahimsa - Compassion, Non-violence
Satya - Truthfulness
Asteya - Non-Stealing
Bramacharya - Moderation, celibacy
Aparigraha - Non-attachment
The Niyamas
Saucha - Cleanliness
Santosha - Contentment
Tapas - Discipline, inner-fire
Svadhyaya - Self Study
Ishvara pranidhana - Surrender to God, the Divine, the Universe
Bringing the Yamas and Niyamas Into Your Practice
Bringing the Yamas and Niyamas Into Your Practice can have a profound impact on your yoga asana practice. As outlined in Patanjali's yoga sutras, the five yamas and five niyamas are essential components of the eight limbs of yoga. These ethical guidelines provide a framework for living a more mindful and spiritual life both on and off the yoga mat. By incorporating the yamas and the niyamas into your daily yoga practice, you can cultivate a deeper connection to yourself and others. Whether you are a seasoned yoga teacher or just starting out in your yoga practice, the yamas and niyamas can serve as golden keys to unlock the true purpose of yoga.
The five yamas ask us to consider our actions towards others, while the five niyamas ask us to embrace self-discipline and self-study. When we make a conscious effort to practice yamas and niyamas, each action we take can transform into one that originates from a deeper and more connected place within ourselves. Whether we are referring to headstand or warrior position in our yoga class, or simply the position we choose to sit in for meditation, the yamas and niyamas can guide us in aligning our thoughts and behaviors with our true spiritual practice.
Patanjali speaks of ‘Asana’ not merely in terms of physical posture, but as any position you choose to sit in life – a stance of being that allows one to perform yoga beyond the mat. The principles within the Hatha Yoga Pradipika also echo this sentiment, emphasizing that to truly ‘do’ yoga, integrating the Yamas and Niyamas into daily practices is imperative. These ethical practices are not just about self-constraint but are golden keys to unlock the door to a path of yoga filled with compassion, truthfulness, and non-violence. Through the guidance of these practices, yoga becomes a form of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), offering a framework that aids individuals in reshaping their mental patterns and promoting a healthy, spiritual lifestyle.
The principles we study can be found unlabeled in hundreds of texts that we may have already read, and not known then, that what they read, was a form of yoga
Yoga Practices for the Yamas
When it comes to yoga practices for the yamas, the teachings of Patanjali in the yoga sutra offer valuable insights. The yamas and niyama are the ethical and moral guidelines of yoga philosophy, including principles like ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, and aparigraha. In ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga pradipika, these principles are essential to follow for spiritual growth. As a yoga teacher training student or someone practicing yoga on their own, integrating the yamas into your daily life can be transformative.
By focusing on svadhyaya in your asana practice, you can explore how each posture affects your mind and spirit. The yamas and niyamas may serve as golden keys to unlock a deeper and more connected place within yourself. Through the path of yoga, you can transform each action into one that originates from a place of love and awareness, rather than the ego or identification. As you make the yamas and niyamas a part of your practice, you may find that they are the keys to unlocking the pattern that governs your life.
Ahimsa (Non-violence)
Satya (Truthfulness)
Asteya (Non-stealing)
Bramacharya (Moderation/Celibacy)
Aparigraha (Non-attachment)
Embodying the Yamas means to make the Yamas and Niyamas the foundation upon which yogic practice is built. It's about how these teachings improve how we can experience life in a fresh lens and see the world around us in harmony and contentment.
Yoga Practices for the Niyamas
Niyamas are the first two limbs of yoga to blend with the yamas. They are often described as the ‘golden keys’ to unlock the spiritual potential within us. When practiced with dedication and mindfulness, the niyamas can guide us to a deeper and more ‘connected’ place within ourselves. As an internationally recognized vinyasa yoga teacher and psychotherapist, it’s clear that Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar understands the importance of incorporating these principles into our yoga practice. He’s talking about the position of the niyamas as the ‘golden keys to unlock’ everything you need to know about the self. And look at some of the international impacts his philosophy has had in the world - he has prevented war!
When we think about the niyamas, terms like Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, and Ishvara pranidhana come to mind. These concepts are like a guide on social and personal transformation through the study of the self. As a yoga teacher or practicioner, it becomes even more apparent that these practices have the power to not only transform you and your yoga, but also help in all our experiences of yoga off of the mat. It reminds us that yoga is a way of life, inviting us to remember that the yamas and niyamas are two keys that can unlock the spiritual potential within us.
The niyamas consist of five key practices:
Saucha (Cleanliness, Purity)
Santosha (Contentment)
Tapas (Discipline, Your Inner Fire)
Svadhyaya (Self-Study)
Ishvara pranidhana (Surrender to the Divine, Universe, God
Each of these practices, or 'golden keys', offers unique insights and disciplines. For instance, Saucha emphasizes purity and cleanliness, while Santosha encourages contentment with one's current state. Tapas focuses on perseverance and discipline, Svadhyaya on the study of sacred texts and oneself, and finally, Ishvara pranidhana on surrender to a higher power. Together, they form a comprehensive guide for personal development, urging us towards a life of mindfulness and spiritual growth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yoga
Q: What are the Yamas and Niyamas in the context of yoga?
A: The Yamas and Niyamas are ethical principles that form the core of yoga philosophy, guiding practitioners on how to interact with themselves and the world around them.
Q: How are the Yamas and Niyamas relevant to yoga teacher training?
A: Understanding and embodying the Yamas and Niyamas is essential for yoga teachers as they set the foundation for creating a safe and welcoming space for students to practice and learn.
Q: Who is Deborah Adele and how is she connected to the practice of yoga?
A: Deborah Adele is a renowned author and speaker who delves into the aspects of yoga philosophy, particularly focusing on the Yamas and Niyamas in her teachings.
Q: What is the significance of the eight limbs of yoga in relation to the Yamas and Niyamas?
A: The eight limbs of yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras, provide a comprehensive framework for the practice of yoga, with the Yamas and Niyamas forming the ethical foundation of this path.
Q: How does integrating the Yamas and Niyamas benefit individuals on and off the mat?
A: By incorporating the principles of the Yamas and Niyamas into daily life, individuals can cultivate a way of living that promotes self-awareness, compassion, and harmony with others.
Q: What can one expect to learn in a yoga teacher training program that focuses on the Yamas and Niyamas?
A: In our program, participants can expect to dive deep into the study of ethical guidelines, self-reflection, and practical tools for embodying the principles of yoga in both personal and professional settings.
Q: How does the study of the Yamas and Niyamas align with the teachings of the Yoga Sutras?
A: The Yamas and Niyamas are directly derived from the Yoga Sutras, serving as the basic ethical precepts that guide individuals on the path of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Living Your Yoga Program
It began in our signature 200hr Yoga Teacher Training, when the principles became what is examined in this spiritual guide towards discovery of our Self. We study and share practical exercises that are the actual spiritual guide to the practice. By the end of the course, you have discovered the yogic way of living. Incorporating the principles as a way of living has helped countless individuals cultivate a deeper connection to their inner selves and the world around them. As we learn the yamas and niyamas throughout the weeks it prompts us to remember that yoga doesn't need to be in a hot studio, or on our mat. If you have an enthusiasm to practice yoga and practice yoga as a whole, then this course is the perfect accent for you if you already have a regular asana practice, but want to add a little more!
FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Since ethics are fundamentally subjective, it is difficult to compel large groups to accept any particular set. Principles like 'enlightened self interest' can help, but being subjective, ethics have no universal footing. In contrast, morals are formed to define right and wrong willed conduct based on a person’s (an individuals) values.
Values are personal beliefs (bundles of thoughts) that come from within, our ability to judge what’s right and wrong (the body is a great way of measuring). A regular meditation practice can bring balance to this. Principles are more or less guidelines we can follow out of self interest with the intent of personal growth. Ethics are more focused and rigid it seems, they aren’t flexible. Whereas morals are rules that define right & wrong, which is, in the bigger picture, outlined by our culture and/or society but is really individual. A system of beliefs, which, in the big picture, is what creates division. Not to suggest we should all believe in the same systems. But there is one universal absolute I think we can all agree on, and that is Love.
In life our differences can be a source of stress, so before engaging in any debates with any person, give this some thought.
So why choose Yogic principles over any other? Well, what other principles can we follow that have the one purpose to guide us inward? To achieve Wholeness, health and self-realization. What other principles are going to encourage and support us through our backwards journey into who we came into this world as? To at least always be on a journey of reflection and acceptance. We will most likely encounter many different belief systems throughout our life, and it’s our job to feel what works and what is false, to us as individuals. Nevertheless, any alternative belief system that provides structured ways of living have served us in a way that has got us through our lives until we have eventually been met with the moment and questioned ourselves, feeling in that moment of clarity before we are called to make a shift.
With that being said, it is part of our work to not use spirituality as a way of bypassing our unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds or unfinished developmental tasks. Instead, before Asana, we were provided the practices of yamas & niyamas which can allow us to ‘fail our way to success’ through loving kindness of our Self.
~Andrew Fredericks
Andrew Fredericks is inspired to follow the yogic path of development and sharing of knowledge. Yoga found Andrew first in 2012 while experiencing adversity. Through his leadership at Karma Teachers from 2017 to 2020, participating in 14 teacher trainings with over 300 students, this accelerated experience contributed to the growth personally and professionally. Learning through hardship was a theme since youth and continues to serve as a primary source of learning. He brings authenticity and humbleness to his teachings. Consciousness is a primary practice when teaching and learning. Andrew strives to show up as a student that is learning to teach and is not afraid to grow from mistakes. Andrew is dedicated to Karma Yoga and is service oriented. He hopes to bring more emphasis on our karmas in today’s world through self inquiry and discussion. He teaches Yin, Hatha, Restorative, Yoga Nidra and Philosophy. Andrew has backgrounds in experience of business, yoga, consciousness, life coaching, and the justice system. Having previously been incarcerated, he currently volunteers a part of his life to work with incarcerated people and parolees as they transition into society. His favorite teachings come from authors such as Michael A. Singer, Eckhart Tolle, Robert Greene, Steven Pressfield and Anthony De Mello.
You can hear more from Andrew on the podcast:
A Yogi’s Guide to Health and Wellness here.