Hello Beloved,
For some of us the reason for practicing may be for health, or to feel more comfortable in the body, for others it may be to become more mindful of the self, to stretch and find balance, or to find more peace in their daily lives. Whatever it is that drives us to return to our mats time and time again, is at the heart of our personal practice. One thing that I love about this challenge is it can encourage us to look deeper into our own practice, while also participating in a community event.
Now, last week we introduced ourselves to the first two Yamas, Ahimsa, and Satya, this time around we move on to the remaining three principles of (self) restraint, or Yamas: Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha. Now it is important to note that when Patanjali addresses and arranges these principles, it was intended to be for the path of the renunciet, or one who is no longer a part of society. It was not arranged with the path of the householder in mind. As such some aspects may lose their personal relevance depending on the context of our lives.
So let's work our way through the last three:
Asteya: Non-Stealing
Asteya, or non-stealing, is a simple yet powerful practice that is not limited to just taking possession of things that are not yours. This concept can be expanded when we think of not stealing someone's time by being late, or not stealing others' energy. This practice is useful in eliminating a mindset of lack or the belief that one doesn't have enough.
Brahmacharya: Sexual Restraint
Put simply, this Yama means Sexual Restraint, or the practice of avoiding energy leakages. This comes from the idea that sexual energy is something to be conserved and we lose that energy when we engage in sexual activities or pursuits. This Yama can be best understood through the path of the renunciet, where one practices celibacy. However, for the householder that does not always make sense, in particular for the raising of a family. So this Yama can be understood to a different degree, while maintaining the importance of avoiding unnecessary energy leaks from the pursuit or excessive engagement in sexual activities.
Aparigraha: Non-attachment
The final Yama is Non-attachment, or non-possessiveness. In basic terms it is avoiding being overly materialistic, or attached to certain outcomes, experiences, or ideas of the self. This is not only collecting physical things (ala hoarding), but also collecting experiences, holding onto egoic identities, and reluctance to change. The practice of Aparigraha asks us to remember that everything is transient.
These five restraints, or Yamas, when practiced sincerely by the Yogi, make up the first of the eight aids to yoga, and can help immensely in this ever evolving journey of self-integration that we find ourselves on.
With Love and Gratitude,
Adriane and the Home Yoga Team