Why yoga?

Most of us come to yoga for fitness, to address health-related concerns, to reduce stress, or simply to support overall well-being. Very few of us arrive because of yoga philosophy. And yet, exploring this side of yoga can open the door to a more joyful, fulfilling, and well-lived life.

This post is the first in a series exploring the Eight Limbs of Yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. We begin with the Yamas - five ethical principles that form the foundation of the entire practice.

What are the Yamas?

The word yama comes from Sanskrit and roughly translates to “restraint” or “guidance.” There are five Yamas, and they offer practical ways to relate more skillfully to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us.

Patanjali, the person(s) credited with writing the Yoga Sutras, begins the yoga path with these five principles because they create a strong and stable foundation. The Yamas remind us that yoga isn’t an escape from daily life for an hour on the mat, it’s an invitation to explore how we live, relate, and show up each day with greater care and awareness.

So what are the Yamas, and how might we work with them both on and off the mat? Below is a brief overview, followed by a deeper look at each one.

Ahimsa — Non-violence / Non-harming
Satya — Truthfulness / Honesty
Asteya — Non-stealing / Responsibility
Brahmacharya — Non-excess / Wise use of energy
Aparigraha — Non-possessiveness / Letting go of attachment

Ahimsa: Non-violence / Non-harming

Ahimsa, the first Yama, is often described as the “golden rule” of yoga. It invites us to consider how we treat others—and ourselves—not only through our actions, but also through our words and thoughts.

It’s easy to judge others, and many of us have a strong inner-voice that is even harsher toward ourselves. Ahimsa reminds us to practice kindness, understanding, and compassion in all directions. This includes softening the inner critic and becoming more aware of how our thoughts and language shape our experience of the world.

Satya: Truthfulness / Honesty

Satya, or truthfulness, may seem straightforward, yet it carries important nuance. Like ahimsa, satya applies not only to our interactions with others, but also to how honest we are with ourselves.

This Yama invites authenticity, showing up with awareness and integrity. At the same time, it asks us to consider empathy. There are moments when speaking “the truth” may cause harm. In these situations, ahimsa can guide us: can we honor truth while also choosing care?

Choosing silence at times doesn’t mean ignoring our feelings or thoughts. Instead, it can be a conscious decision rooted in self-awareness, boundary-setting, and compassion. Satya also encourages us to check in with ourselves: Are our words, thoughts, and actions aligned with the person we aspire to be?

Asteya: Non-stealing / Responsibility

Asteya is often understood as not stealing material objects, such as money, possessions, or resources. But this Yama also invites a deeper reflection.

We can “steal” in non-material ways as well: consider time, attention, energy, credit, or even our own rest and well-being. Asteya asks us to respect boundaries—our own and those of others—and to cultivate gratitude for what we already have. It encourages us to pause and consider the difference between what we want and what we truly need.

Brahmacharya: Non-excess / Wise use of energy

Brahmacharya invites us to examine how we use our energy and attention. It’s a practice of moderation and balance.

In modern life, it’s easy to overextend ourselves through work, devices, entertainment, or constant busyness. We may also overinvest in one area of life at the expense of others, leaving little room for rest, relationships, or self-care. While our culture often suggests that more will bring happiness, brahmacharya reminds us that simplicity and balance often create the greatest sense of joy, ease, and fulfillment.

Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness / Letting go of attachment

The final Yama, aparigraha, invites us to notice and explore letting go of attachments. This includes our desire to hold onto or control possessions, outcomes, expectations, grudges, and even people.

This is often one of the most challenging practices. Aparigraha asks us to cultivate trust and curiosity, releasing the need to cling tightly to how we think things “should” be. It asks us to invite in a sense of spaciousness and lightness, allowing life to unfold with less fear and worry, and more openness to what is already present.

Living the Yamas

The Yamas are not a checklist or another thing to perfect. They are invitations—gentle guideposts for how we might choose to live each day with more compassion, balance, and integrity.

At their core, the Yamas ask us how to be decent human beings, and in our best moments, how to serve as quiet examples for others. They are practical, everyday tools that help support both inner and outer peace, guiding us toward a more thoughtful, connected, and fulfilling life.

If you’d like to explore this further, below are journal prompts for reflecting on each Yama in your own life.

Ahimsa - Where in my life am I being harder on myself, or others, than necessary? How might I practice more kindness in my thoughts, words, or actions today?

Satya - What feels most true for me right now, even if it’s uncomfortable to admit? Where might I be holding back my truth, or speaking it without enough awareness and care?

Asteya - Where do I feel a sense of scarcity, comparison, or “not enoughness”? How might this sense of scarcity or comparison shape how I relate to myself or others, and what would it look like to trust that I already have enough by shifting from grasping to appreciating what is already here?

Brahmacharya - What currently receives most of my energy and attention? Does this align with what I value most, or is something asking for rebalancing?

Aparigraha - What am I holding onto tightly right now? Maybe an outcome, expectation, or belief? What might shift if I practiced a little more trust and letting go?

Flow Study: The First Step of Yoga Isn’t What You Think: Five Simple Ways to Live With More Ease by Betsy Dessauer