The Yamas: The five ethical principles of Yoga
- Alessia Masciocchi
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
Hey beautiful souls!
Today, I'll tell you about the ethical principles of Yoga, one of the eight limbs. As you'll discover, it's not just about asanas and yoga mats! Happy reading!
When we think of yoga, we picture bendy bodies twisted into impossible poses. But the physical practice—what you see in studios worldwide—is just a tiny sliver of an ancient, comprehensive life system.
Today I'm sharing Aṣṭāṅga Yoga (अष्टाङ्ग) [ˈɐʂʈɑ̃ːŋɐ ˈjoːɡɐ], the "eightfold path" outlined over 2,000 years ago by the sage Patañjali [pɐˈt̪ɐɲ̃d͡ʒɐli] in his foundational text, the Yoga Sūtra (योगसूत्र) [ˈjoːɡɐ ˈsuːt̪rɐ].
We're diving deep into the first—and arguably most crucial—limb: the yamas (यम) [ˈjɐmɐ]—five ethical principles that form the moral bedrock for anyone seriously interested in personal growth and spiritual development.
Ethics Come First
Before exploring meditation, breathwork, or advanced poses, Patañjali insisted we first build our ethical foundation.
The yamas are like the bedrock supporting every other spiritual practice. Without this foundation, our quest for inner peace remains shaky—like building a skyscraper on sand.
What's beautiful about these principles is their universality: Patañjali called them "great universal vows transcending religion, country, age, and time"—they're as relevant today as they were in ancient India.
The Five Yamas
Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा) [ɐˈhimsɑː] - The art of non-violence
Let's start with perhaps the most misunderstood principle.
Ahiṃsā literally means "not causing harm"—the prefix "a" [ɐ] means "not" and "hiṃsā" [ˈhimsɑː] means "violence." But here's what's fascinating: it's not just about avoiding physical harm to others.
True ahiṃsā begins with how we treat ourselves. That inner critic that tears us apart over every mistake? That's violence toward ourselves. When we push our bodies beyond their limits, ignore our emotional needs, or flood ourselves with destructive thoughts—all of this is hiṃsā.
When we extend ahiṃsā outward, it transforms not just how we relate to people, but to all life. Yoga practitioners see every being as worthy of the same respect they'd want for themselves; it doesn't mean being a doormat, but approaching conflict knowing everyone's doing their best with the awareness they have.
Two companions walk alongside ahiṃsā:
Abhaya (अभय) [ɐˈbʰɐjɐ] - the courage that comes from knowing our true nature transcends the physical body
Akrodha (अक्रोध) [ɐˈkroːd̪ʰɐ] - freedom from destructive anger, while maintaining the good sense that helps us recognise and address injustice
Satya (सत्य) [ˈsɐt̪jɐ] - Living in truth
Satya goes way beyond simply not lying. It means aligning our entire being—thoughts, words, and actions—with truth itself.
In Sanskrit philosophy, truth and love are two sides of the same coin, which is why satya and ahiṃsā are so interconnected.
This principle pushes us to look at the subtle ways we deceive ourselves and others. Satya invites us to live with total honesty, but always with compassion.
Patañjali taught there are four ways to violate truthful speech:
using offensive or vulgar language
telling lies
gossiping or slandering
mocking what others hold sacred
Notice how these rules create space for respectful dialogue even when we disagree.
When you master honest communication, something extraordinary happens: your words carry weight. People listen because they know what you're saying comes from a place of integrity and wisdom.
Asteya (अस्तेय) [ɐˈst̪eːjɐ] - Beyond not stealing
Asteya—literally "non-stealing"—includes much more than avoiding theft. It means using resources appropriately, respecting others' time and energy, and not taking credit for others' work or ideas.
In our consumer culture, asteya challenges us to reflect on our relationship with "enough." Practising asteya naturally leads to contentment. When you truly need something, the universe finds a way to provide it—this isn't magical thinking, it's the natural result of living with integrity and gratitude. When you stop grasping for what you don't need, you notice the abundance already surrounding you.
Brahmacarya (ब्रह्मचर्य) [ˌbrɐɦmɐˈt͡ʃɐrjɐ] - The Wise Use of Energy
Perhaps no yama is as misunderstood as brahmacarya. Traditionally translated as "celibacy," the word literally means "behaviour that leads to Brahman" [ˈbrɐɦmɐn]—ultimate reality.
While classical interpretations often emphasised sexual abstinence, modern practitioners understand brahmacarya as the wise management of all our vital energy.
It doesn't mean living like a monk (unless that's your calling). Many great yogis throughout history were married and understood that intimate relationships, when lived with awareness and respect, can actually support spiritual growth. The key is mindfulness—being present and intentional in how we use our life force.
When you establish yourself in brahmacarya, you develop extraordinary vitality, courage, and mental clarity. This energy becomes available to serve others and pursue your highest purpose.
. Aparigraha (अपरिग्रह) [ɐˌpɐriˈɡrɐɦɐ] - The freedom to let go
Aparigraha—"non-possessiveness"—is perhaps the most relevant yama for our material-obsessed world. It's not about poverty or deprivation; it's about freedom from the anxiety of always wanting more.
This principle invites us to examine our attachments. Aparigraha suggests that true security doesn't come from what we own, but from our ability to remain centred regardless of external circumstances.
Practising aparigraha means accepting only what you truly need and can use responsibly. It means being genuinely happy when others succeed, instead of feeling threatened or envious. It means finding satisfaction in simplicity and discovering that "less" can truly be "more."
Bringing the Yamas into Daily Life
These aren't abstract philosophical concepts meant for monastic life—they're practical tools for navigating modern existence. Start gradually.
Choose one yama that resonates and spend a week noticing how it shows up (or doesn't) in your daily interactions. You might discover that your relationship with social media violates several yamas simultaneously: the violence of comparison (breaking ahiṃsā), the dishonesty of curated perfection (breaking satya), stealing others' time through mindless scrolling (breaking asteya), the energy drain of infinite scrolling (breaking brahmacarya), and craving likes and validation (breaking aparigraha).
The yamas aren't about perfection; they're about awareness. Every time you notice a disconnect between these principles and your actions, you have an opportunity to course-correct with self-compassion.
The Ripple Effect
What's beautiful about the yamas? They create positive ripples extending far beyond your personal practice. When you embody non-violence, truthfulness, integrity, wise energy use, and non-possessiveness, you become a source of peace and stability for everyone you encounter.
You stop contributing to chaos and start being part of the solution. Your presence becomes a gift—not because you're perfect, but because you're committed to growth and conscious living.
In a world that often feels overwhelming and fragmented, the yamas offer us a path to integrity. They remind us that personal transformation and social healing aren't separate endeavours, but two aspects of the same sacred work.
As you explore these ancient teachings, remember the goal isn't becoming a perfect yogi overnight. The goal is to begin—taking one conscious step toward a life of greater integrity, compassion, and awareness. In doing so, you join a timeless tradition of seekers who understood that changing the world starts with transforming ourselves.
The yamas represent just the beginning of the eightfold path of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga.
Each limb builds on the previous ones, creating a complete system for spiritual development that has guided seekers for millennia. Whether you're an experienced practitioner or completely new to yoga philosophy, these ethical principles offer a foundation for living with greater purpose, peace, and authenticity. #NeverendingRollercoaster
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