Yama Niyama

"Yoga begins not on the mat, but in the marrow of our choices. In the quiet spaces between breath and action, it waits for us—a return, a remembering."

Before we fold into asanas or follow the rhythm of our breath, yoga gently invites us to look within. It doesn’t begin with movement. It begins with meaning. The great sage Patanjali, in his sacred text The Yoga Sutras, laid out the eightfold path of yoga known as Ashtanga Yoga. The very first steps on this path are not physical at all. They are Yama and Niyama—the moral and ethical foundation of a yogic life.

These ten principles help us align our outer actions with our inner truth. They shape the way we relate to the world (Yama) and the way we relate to ourselves (Niyama). Together, they form the roots from which all other limbs of yoga grow.

1. Ahimsa – Non-violence

The cornerstone of yogic living. Ahimsa calls us to choose kindness over criticism, compassion over conflict. It asks: Can I move through this day without causing harm—to others, to the Earth, or to myself?

Real-life pause: Notice your self-talk today. Would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself?

2. Satya – Truthfulness

To live in Satya is to live in honesty, but not at the cost of compassion. It's about expressing truth with clarity and love.

Reflection: What does Satya look like in our relationships? It might mean saying "no" when you need to, or expressing your needs without fear.

3. Asteya – Non-stealing

More than just material things, Asteya asks us not to steal time, energy, or credit. It invites us to honor boundaries—ours and others’.

In practice: Can I complete a conversation without checking my phone? Can I let someone finish their thought without interrupting?

4. Brahmacharya – Wise Use of Energy

Often misunderstood, Brahmacharya doesn’t demand celibacy. It calls us to direct our energy with intention. Where attention goes, energy flows.

Check-in: Where did your energy go today? Was it nourishing, or draining?

5. Aparigraha – Non-possessiveness

Letting go of grasping. Aparigraha helps us release attachment—to things, identities, outcomes. It’s the art of trusting life.

Practice: Declutter a corner of your space. Observe how it feels in your body to release.

1. Shaucha – Purity

Cleanliness in body, mind, and environment. Shaucha invites simplicity. A clean outer space supports an uncluttered inner world.

Try this: Begin your day by tidying your space. Light a stick of incense. See how your breath shifts.

2. Santosha – Contentment

The quiet joy of enough. Santosha teaches us to rest in what is, without chasing more.

Pause: List three things you’re grateful for right now. Feel them land.

3. Tapas – Discipline or Inner Fire

Tapas is the gentle fire that keeps us showing up. It’s not harsh. It’s sacred. It’s the discipline that flows from devotion.

Consider: Can you return to your practice, even on the hard days? That’s Tapas.

4. Svadhyaya – Self-study

To know the Self is the highest study. Svadhyaya includes reading sacred texts, journaling, and reflecting on patterns. It is the art of becoming intimate with your inner landscape.

Explore: Journal this: "What am I learning about myself this week?"

5. Ishvarapranidhana – Surrender to the Divine

The soft power of letting go. This Niyama invites us to trust the unfolding, to bow to a higher rhythm.

In daily life: Let go of one small expectation today. Breathe into what is.

In Yoga Sutra II.29, Patanjali names Yama and Niyama as the beginning of the eightfold path. These are not rules to memorize but rhythms to live. When we begin to embody them—not perfectly, but consciously—our practice becomes more than poses. It becomes a way of being.

Yoga is not something we do for an hour a day. It is how we meet the morning, how we move through conflict, how we hold ourselves in stillness.

Start small. Choose one Yama or Niyama to reflect on this week. Bring it into your journal, your conversations, your breath. Let it guide you home to yourself.

At Ruh, we believe the journey of yoga begins in the quiet courage to live aligned. When your outer life and inner truth walk hand-in-hand, healing becomes inevitable.

May your path be gentle, your heart steady, and your soul anchored in truth.

With love,

Ruh – your sustainable health guide