What are the Yamas?

The Yoga Sutras, written by Patanjali in 2nd century bce, highlight an 8 fold path to liberation through the practice of yoga. the first of the 8 limbs is the Yamas. There are 5 yamas discussed in the Sutras, but different texts include different Yamas. Yama is often translated as ‘restraint’, ‘moral discipline’ or ‘moral vow’.

These vows are universal, not just for your yoga practice on the mat. They transfer into every day life and can shape your interactions with others. Studying the yamas can help us become aware of how we operate in the world. That way, we can make better choices and avoid negative patterns.

dive deeper

Grab your journal to help you consider the following prompts:

What are some of your non-negotiables in terms of morals and values? How might these morals and values help you navigate your world?