Introduction
for individuals
for companies
yogic wisdom
“my story“
BEYOND THE MAT
THE EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA
“ASHTANGA YOGA“
ANCIENT YOGIC WISDOM FOR
MODERN WESTERN MINDS
ASHTANGA
YOGA
BEYOND THE MAT
AN EMBODIED PRACTICE
—
Work it, bend it,
flex it, stretch it, twist it, hold it...isn‘t that what
yoga ultimately is?
Our director was introduced to yoga more than 20 years ago. With a background in gymnastics she was loving the elements of stretching, twisting and balancing. However, it was only later in life that she discovered how yoga is so much more than just physical exercise.
The postures or asanas that we see today were originally intended to assist with the act of meditation. In fact, even asanas as we currently know them, until recent times, were non existent.
Yoga is as an embodied practice, it is about questions and answers, and ultimately about self-inquiry.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
1. Yama
— moral guidance
2. Niyama
— self-observance
3. Asanas
— postures
4. Pranayama
— breath control
5. Pratyahara
— withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana
— concentration
7. Dhyana
— meditation
8. Samadhi
— self-surrender
At Thought & Action we give extra attention to the first two limbs, the Yama and the Niyama which serve as a theoretical frameworks for continuous observation and self-study.
In order to experience the full power of yoga, we need to extend our practice beyond the mat, carrying a state of critical thinking with us into our lives.
According to 'The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali‘*, the aim of yoga is to reach Kaivalya, an experience of ultimate freedom.
‘The Sutras‘ carefully outlines Ashtanga Yoga — the eightfold path of classical yoga — where each of the eight paths or “limbs“, describe a different aspect of yoga, and a step-by-step practice towards self-realisation.
* ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali‘ is a collection of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga.
Each sutra requires the reader to think deeply for themselves and develop a personal understanding of the practice.
This collection is thought to have been compiled between the second century BCE and fifth century CE.
‘The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali‘—
A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary. Edwin F. Bryant
THE YAMA & NIYAMA
Ten timeless
yogic principles
for a crucial
moment in time
The Yama and Niyama are guiding principles that were written thousands of years ago. So what makes them relevant to you and me today?
At Thought & Action we think of yoga as a living tradition, as the world of yoga continues to grow, we believe that these principles should open up for modern, and context-specific interpretation, as long as we continue to educate about their roots.
The word Yama is often translated as restraint, traditionally the Yama guide us towards practices concerned with the world around us.
The word Niyama translates as observances, traditionally the Niyama are concerned with our inner worlds, they offer us guidance on positive habits, rather than forbidden behaviour.
We don't have to be flexible nor fit to do yoga — yoga is like exercise for the body, mind and spirit. Some people find yoga through physical exercise, others might access it through the philosophy and eventually learn to appreciate its other forms.
The Yama and Niyama hold the key to our true self, and a more connected place within ourselves.
They inspire us and continuously remind us that everything is yoga — every situation, context, relationship, challenge, emotion or thought pattern.
The Yama and Niyama provide us with an excellent framework for spiritual practice, or sadhana — and offer us infinite opportunities for how we may cultivate self-awareness.
Together the Yama & Niyama are asking for us to be accountable, they add perspective to our daily lives, to our participation, and to the challenges that our world is facing today and tomorrow.
These ten principles help us access clarity, or truth — they enable us to direct our thoughts, words and actions in ways that truly serves us. On a bigger scale, these principles will indirectly assist us in making the world a better place.
Whatever you are dealing with, the Yama and Niyama will offer you support in how to address it:
abuse, addiction, anxiety, authenticity, attachment, creativity, culture, emotions, ethics, equity, devotion, discipline, faith, frustration, grief, growth, happiness, harm, insight, loss, love, meaning, obstacles, ownership, passion, peace, perfection, pleasure, possessiveness, purpose, race, religion, responsibility, separation, sex, success, theft, truth, unity and war.
“Light is to darkness what love
is to fear; in the presence of one,
the other disappears“
IN MODERN TERMS
Ten Timeless Yogic Principles
Explained
The five YAMA provide
guidance on how we may interact
with the world around us.
“ahimsa”
The practice of ahimsa is not only challenging on a physical level — or about avoiding certain actions
that cause harm— it is about learning how to understand our emotions and how to direct our thoughts, words and actions.
We need to approach ahimsa with a flexible mind and learn how to look at each and every context with an open mindset — for example we might wish to practice satya, truthfulness, yet words that cause pain to others should not be spoken — sometimes the Yama are contradict each other.
If you studied the 'Bhagavad Gita' you would be surprised to learn about the “dilemma” of the warrior Arjuna who stands between two armies. Should he fight in a battle that will lead to the destruction of his friends and family?
The practice of ahimsa generates mental fortitude as it requires us to refrain from retaliating when insulted or unjustly criticised. Sometimes forgiveness and dialogue requires more strength than the act of "fighting" back.
Ahmisa, in short, is the practice of being non-violent in thoughts, words and actions. Regardless of our intentions, we shall not cause harm. This principle is considered to be the most important of the five Yama because it represents the right attitude necessary to lead a morally sound life.
Are the acts of violence
ever justified?
[ non-violence ]
Asteya is an important principle within both Hinduism and Jainism. In more recent times, Mahatma Gandhi defined asteya as the basic human right to own property without fear. He also referred to asteya as an extension of ahimsa (non-violence), as theft is a type of violence.
When incorporated into our everyday life asteya teaches us how to experience contentment with who we are and what we already have — it's a practice that can be deeply enriching — as it helps us focus on ideas of abundance and authenticity, rather than on what we are missing.
It goes without saying that this principle also encourages us to celebrate the qualities and success of others. It prevents us from thoughts of envy, jealousy, competition, or the acts of manipulation.
It is a principle that fosters integrity, boundaries and a sense of fulfilment.
“asteya”
[ non-stealing ]
The basic idea of asteya is that a person should not steal, nor have the intention or desire to take anything that is not freely given. It also doesn't stop with physical objects, but it applies to our thoughts, words and actions.
What would come up for you during a moment of confession?
Have you ever felt frustrated with a partner, manager or a colleague of yours? It can happen to all of us at some point. One of the greatest challenges when practising satya is not only to be truthful to the world and to others, but for us to be truthful to ourselves.
Through self-inquiry we can ask ourselves questions to gain deeper insights into what is truly going on for us.
A lot of the times we are equally accountable for difficult situations — we might start to recognise patterns. We must learn how to own our actions.
When we gain clarity and self-awareness, then satya will prevent us from deviating from our path; it will guide us in how we can direct our thoughts, words and actions in ways that truly serves us. Satya will assist us in our biggest decisions.
Satya requires us to embrace our uniqueness, and to be honest about our limitations, resources and opportunities. It is a principle that will ground us and enable us to find balance in life.
“satya”
[ truthfulness ]
Satya denotes being honest and truthful in thoughts, words and actions — it is a principle considered essential for a balanced and harmonious existence — when we act from a place of authenticity, we enable our world to operate with clarity and purpose.
What does it mean to live a life in alignment?
“aparigraha”
Aparigraha is also the opposite of parigraha, which means "the focus on material gain". It is a form of self-restraint that avoids the type of actions by which material gain destroys or hurts people, other living things, and nature.
This principle might trigger us to ask ourselves how we think of our daily purchases. It helps us cultivate a feeling of abundance from within, and how to deal with feelings of loss and lack.
Aparigraha teaches us how to love unconditionally — as a practice of non-attachment, it will help you cultivate belonging without possession — in a loving relationship it will provide you with freedom and peace, rather than the anxiety of clinging on to something through attachment.
It is also the acceptance of what the body is capable of today, rather than the desire to perfect a yoga pose or to compare it with others. This practice is grounding, and it will bring us abundance. It will make us feel free to nurture, share, and care.
[ generosity ]
Aparigraha is the concept of non-possessiveness, non-greed and non-attachment. We would like to refer to it as generosity, but traditionally aparigraha implies that possessions should only include what is necessary at the present moment.
How might this principle teach us how to let go, accept and embrace change?
“brahmacharya”
Brahmacharya is a concept within Indian religions that literally means to "stay in conduct within one's own self". In yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism it generally refers to a lifestyle characterised by sexual continence or complete abstinence.
It is up to each and every client to interpret what “right use of energy” means as it often depends on the context and their personal situation and preferences. There might be times for everything, including "sex", yet every activity requires strong self-awareness and boundaries for a healthy and purposeful practise.
You may have heard about sexual ceremonies? The idea of tantric sex comes from 'Left-Hand Tantra'. One might describe it as a mental practise utilising the physical body as a vehicle towards liberation. This has been broadly mis-appropriated in our society, as it is easy to fall for pleasure, which is said to derail us from liberation.
Pleasure is temporary and promotes a lack as we can not have it all the time, so it is important to question whether it is a waste of time (and energy)?
[ right use of energy ]
Traditionally, brahmacharya was intended to encourage yogis to use their energy for a higher purpose, rather than for external desires; we prefer the term “right use of energy” rather than “celibacy“.
How might this principle bring attention to addictions or bad habits?
“If pleasure were the same as happiness, our western consumer society, which provides unparallel access to pleasure of all kinds, would produce the happiest beings on earth. Instead our society is filled with desperate and emotionally disturbed and spiritually unfulfilled individuals.”
George Feuerstein
Author of The Deeper Dimension of Yoga
The Five Niyamas are observations
that sheds light on how we might cultivate positive habits.
“saucha”
The practice of saucha starts with our external environment, keeping our surroundings decluttered and clean. When we declutter our office, home or yoga space we are able to focus.
"Where attention goes, energy flows" — by practicing saucha in our thoughts, words and actions — we can add positivity to our own lives, and to the people in our home, office, school and general surroundings.
Saucha suggest that we practice "pure" thoughts and good intentions. We must learn to exist in the world from a place of contentment, and avoid looking down on, or devaluing other people and their personal choices and life paths.
Saucha promotes peaceful dialogue and a genuine desire to empower the people around us — it helps us to improve our concentration and awareness, and cultivates a calm, centered and peaceful mindset.
[ purity ]
Saucha can be literally translated as purity, or cleanliness of our body, mind, spirit and surroundings, all helping to direct us towards a kind and positive life, without the impurity of judgement.
How might saucha show up in our thoughts, words and actions?
“santosha”
Through the practice of santosha, we are freed from cravings or desires, and able to pursue our own calling, without fear or manipulation. We can let go of "how things should be done" or "what others might think", and just steadily continue on our path.
Santosha is closely related to equanimity, in that practicing it allows us to accept the situations that present themselves — including pleasure, pain, success or failure — we might loose something but we will trust our abilities to move on and to rise again.
Santosha helps us develop a better relationship with ourselves. By practicing santosha we can let go of the ego and show up in the world as grounded and compassionate human beings. It is the end of corporate politics, or dysfunctional relationships.
By practicing santosha you will learn how to accept and be content with the way you are, and where you are at. Your happiness may no longer depend on external forces, such as a loving partner, or an achievement.
Santosha denotes contentment — unlike pleasure which is temporary — it is a grounding principle which cultivates peace, joy and harmony. We might also look at it as a state of being, that allows us to trust in our abilities.
How might this principle of fulfilment enable us to enjoy living life in the present?
[ contentment ]
“tapas”
The idea of tapas encourages us to stay with our thoughts and actions despite the physical or mental resistance encountered along the way.
In Yin Yoga, where students hold static yoga poses for a longer time, you "explore your edge" fostering both physical and mental challenge and cultivating self-awareness and resilience.
It is the idea of keeping an open mind when we listen to people of opposing ideas — it goes hand-in-hand with yoga promoting unity through diversity — and cultivates self-awareness and growth through tension.
There are three different types of tapas:
1. Tamaistic tapas: the demonic tapas wherein one tortures oneself, such as within ascetic practices.
2. Sattvic tapas: The natural fire of life.
3. Rajistic tapas: Practiced with the desire of achieving something.
[ self-discipline ]
Tapas can be thought of as endurance, and often translates as self-discipline, austerity, or burning enthusiasm. It refers to your inner fire during vigorous physical or mental exercise.
How might tapas relate to
the fire that fuels your drive, passion or courage?
“svadhyaya”
Back in the Vedic times the sources or "scriptures" for self-study were delivered verbally by Brahmins with students reciting their readings.
These Vedic priests were in a privileged position and controlled information, today we live in a world with an abundance of information.
If yoga is a living tradition that promotes diversity then we need to think critically about our sources as we set out to expand our consciousness.
When we cultivate the mindset of an eternal student we can observe, evaluate and gain awareness of our thoughts, words and the roots of our actions.
Svadhyaya has the power to make people feel at home in their own self through the clarity, purpose and the contentment that it might bring us.
When we reconnect inwards, we can experience a greater connection to everyone around us.
[ self-reflection ]
Svadhyaya literally means “to read one’s self” or “to learn the lessons of your own soul.” Traditionally it involved the study of spiritual texts; we look at it as the act of participation, observation, self-inquiry and critical thinking.
What can you do on a daily basis to cultivate self-awareness?
“ishvara
pranidhana”
Yoga means unity, but according to many paths in yoga we are ultimately looking to achieve liberation, which might sound like a contradiction.
It is the practice of fully surrendering the self to the divine, and trusting its wisdom to guide the life and actions of the self. This does not imply that we are totally helpless!
We do not sit back and wait for miracles — we say the power is within us. Yoga is about directed action or service, where everyone delivers a valuable contribution regardless of the field.
We surrender to our dharma or purpose, usually it is something that excites us, or something we are skilled in, and we must practice it with unshakeable faith and passion.
When we reach a state of contentment we can learn to let go — we surrender in unity — and move through life with focus, grace and ease.
[ self-surrender ]
Ishvara Pranidhana implies that we let go of the idea of separation. Traditionally this was about devotion to whatever resonated; in a modern context we say it encourages us to surrender to our mission in life.
How might we cultivate the what it takes to faithfully trust in ourselves?
FURTHER READINGS
Yoga Sutras of Patañjali:
A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary
by Edwin F. Bryant, 21 July 2009
A Seeker's Guide to the Yoga Sutras:
Modern Reflections on the Ancient Journey
By Ram Bhakt, 31 December 2019
Living The Sutras:
A Guide to Yoga Wisdom beyond the Mat
by Kelly Dinardo & Amy Pearce-Hayden, 20 June 2018
Living Your Yoga:
Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life
by Judith Hanson Lasater, 25 June 2015