Yamas&niyamas Flashcards
1
Q
What are the yamas & niyamas?
A
- Ethical guidelines, disciplines, restraints and observances
- Ethical way if yogic living
- first two limbs of the eight-fold path by patanjali
2
Q
What are the yamas?
A
Yamas means restraints.
- external ethical and moral standards
- how we live with ourselves and others
- „dont’s“
- each Yama can be considered as a Sadhana -> a practice leading directly to a goal -> that moves you closer to the goal of yoga
3
Q
List the yamas
A
Nonviolence (ahimsa) Truthfulness (Satya) Nonstealing (asteya) Nonexcess (brahmarcharya) Nonpossesiveness (aparigraha)
4
Q
What are niyamas
A
Niyamas=observances
- personal, internal disciplines
- inner qualities and attitude to apply in practice and daily life
5
Q
List the five niyamas
A
Purity (saucha) Contentment (samtosha) Self discipline (tapas) Self study (svadiyaya) Surrender to Devine (isvaraphanidhana)
6
Q
Describe ahimsa
A
NONVIOLENCE
- to do no harm & to establish a nonviolent relationship w other and yourself
- physical, mental, emotional violence needs to be avoided
- practicing compassion & nonjudgment can be tools to cultivate ahimsa
7
Q
Describe Satya
A
TRUTHFULNESS
- practicing truthfulness & honesty towards ourselves and others in word and action
- goes hand in hand w ahimsa
8
Q
Describe asteya
A
Nonstealing
- not stealing from others or ourselves in action, thought and speech
- not taking what wasn’t freely given
- demands not to steal or manipulate others property for own gain
- craving to steal arises out of feeling of lack of contentment and compassion for other beings
- practicing asteya you can overcome greed
9
Q
Describe brahmacharya
A
Non excess
- practice control over physical and mental impulses of excess to attain knowledge and increase energy
- to live without we need willpower, courage and discipline
- it is about establishing balance -> therefore we need to create moderation in all activities
10
Q
Describe aparigraha
A
Nonpossesiveness
- letting go of everything we don’t really need, only possessing what’s really necessary
- need to practice not to be greedy
- and not to cling to material things and to thoughts, ideas, expectations, beliefs that no longer serve us
- it’s believed that practicing aparigraha will put us in touch with our true inner self
11
Q
Conclusion yamas- what will they bring ?
A
- help build character
- improve relationships with others and ourselves
- reduces or eliminates accumulation of bad karma
- prevent drainage of energy
- brings us closer to our atman
12
Q
Describe the first niyama
A
Saucha-purity
- is about purification and cleansing mind, body and our environment (internal + external purification)
- trough asana, meditation, pranayama, diet, cleansing techniques, pure friends, entertainment, home etc)
13
Q
Describe the second niyama
A
Samtosha- contentment
- being content with everything that is at the present moment
- not wanting what you don’t have
- practicing gratitude and acceptance for everything life gives you
14
Q
Describe the third niyama
A
Tapas- self discipline
- doing things we don’t feel like doing because they have positive effect on us
- cultivating a sense of self discipline, courage and passion in order to burn away the physical, mental and emotional impurities
- burning away the habits that hold us from growth
- to get closer to the aim of enlightenment
15
Q
Describe svadhyaya
A
Self study
- about studying ourself and recognising our habits and thought processes
- eventually becoming aware of the difference between who we think we are (ego) and our true inner self (atman)
- becoming more aware of things that harm us and things that serve us, bring us closer to process of uniting w true self
- also includes studying sacred ancient texts
