Working with the Yamas
In yoga, the five yamas are codes of self-regulation or restraint and are to be held in mind and intention when practising any form of yoga. They are precepts for building relationships with the world around us in our actions, speech and thought. They are a way in which we can observe ourselves and our conduct in these areas, with a view to balancing, purifying and training the mind.
When practising yoga asanas or postures, we stay connected with the yamas to bring us back to the core of yoga – union – and in so doing look to stay present:
“The breath leads, the body follows and the mind observes”
Ahimsa – non-violence
Ahimsa is a way to remove actions and practices that work against the idea of peace and goodwill, within and without us.
Satya – truth
Satya frees us from the artifice that confuses our actions, thoughts and decisions away from the truth at any given time.
Asteya – not taking that which is not freely given to us
Asteya enables us to see where the truth lies when we remove urges of desire and covetousness.
Brahmacharya – right use of energy
Brahmacharya cultivates the understanding that our innate power and life force should be respected and channelled into awareness and mindfulness.
Aparigraha – non-grasping
Aparigraha leads us to let go of any thing, state of mind, thought, action or desire that is not immediately available to us in a peacefully given form.
“Charlotte is a brilliant yoga teacher. She is very knowledgeable about how to restore the body’s balance, which makes me feel rejuvenated. She is thorough, gentle, practical and intuitive, knowing just the right comment to assist me at just the right moment.”
Denise, Brighton