Much is said about the philosophy of yoga. They say that asanas (postures) are not just the main thing and that, through breathing and postures, there is a culture and knowledge that expands to the consciousness of the human being's mind. But do you know what the Yamas and Niyamas are in Yoga?
yamas are considered a kind of code of ethics in Yoga and are composed of five basic principles: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha. Thus, we can classify the yamas as being a moral and ethical conduct.
The niyamas represent a moral basis in Yoga, a kind of disciplinary conduct. They are composed of five: Saucha, Santocha, Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishivara Pranidhana.
the 5 yamas
Ahimsa: means non-violence. Here the practitioner must have respect for his life, his body, his thoughts and also with other people. Do not act violently in thought and also physically.
Satya: it is the truth of thoughts. It is following the search for the truth and occupying our thoughts with the truth and what really matters.
asteya: means do not steal. Not stealing what others have, as well as not being envious of what others have achieved. Therefore, he also teaches one of the principles of yoga which is detachment. We can live with less and better.
Brahmacharya: it is necessary to have control of energy, of sexual impulses. It is not necessary to become celibate, but to know how to control your impulses. Examples: overeating and having multiple partners. Lack of energy to perform another activity.
Aparigraha: here is to live simply. With less it is possible to achieve happiness. Also, have less feeling of possession, jealousy, and go in search of spiritual evolution.
Os 5 niyamas
Saucha: it means purity. Both in physical and emotional aspects. For example, not cultivating anger is saucha, trying to have a healthier diet is saucha.
Santocha: it means contentment. It is to serenely accept facts and events and not fight them. It's trying to seek peace regardless of situations and not acting like a madman who has no control over his thoughts.
Tapas: effort is the meaning of tapas. Act with effort in our activities. It is not giving up in the face of difficulties.
Svadhyaya: seek self-knowledge. Don't settle for mere information. Dig deep into knowledge to broaden the horizons of thought.
Ishivara Pranidhana: devotion and surrender to the absolute is the meaning of this niyama.
Text written by Angélica Fabiane Weise from the Eu Sem Fronteiras Team.
