Yama & Niyama - Part of the Eight Fold Yoga Path of Patanjali

Yama and Niyama are the do's and don'ts, or ethical disciplines, which have existed in the human race since the
beginning of civilisations. Yama and Niyama are traditional whether one is from the civilisations of the East or
the West. By following these traditional precepts, with are closely related in many ways to the Buddhist Eight
Fold Path, we work towards individual development of the body, mind, and soul.

Yama - Self Restraint
Yama is the foundation of yoga. It is the first step in the Eightfold Path of Patanjali. Yama tells us what to avoid doing because
ti would do harm to the individual and that of society. The observance of yama disciplines the five organs of action which are
the arms, the legs, mouth, the organs of regeneration, and the organs of excretion. It is natural for the organs of action to
control the organs of perception and of the mind. If the mind wishes to bring harm to something but the organ of action refuse,
then no harm will be done. Therefore, Yama is said to be the foundation or root of the tree of yoga. By doing asanas alone,
without the incorporation of Yama and Niyama, there will be very little advancement upon the spiritual path.

The Five Don'ts of Yoga:
Violence & killing ~ Lying or untruthfulness ~ Stealing & misappropriation ~ Continence & celibacy ~ Greed & selfishness

~ More On Yama ~

Niyama - Observance
Niyama is religious observance. It is the second step in the path of the Eightfold Path of Patanjali. The five principles of
Niyama control the organs of perception, which are the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue and the skin. It consists of purity,
both internal and external (Shaucha), contentment (Santosha), the practice of austerity (Tapas), the study and learning of
religious books (Svadhyaya), and self-surrender to God (Atamivedana).

The five Do's of Yoga:
Purity in thought, deeds, & body ~ Contentment with self ~ Spiritual discipline ~ Spiritual learning ~ Surrender to God

~ More on Niyama ~

Make all your actions of the day in the service of the Lord!

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The First Step in the Path of Yoga Practice,
Yama is the Foundation of Yoga

By practicing yama and niyama we gain much ground upon the spiritual path. Without putting these precepts into action or by practicing asana alone not much will be gained.