The word ‘yama’ originally meant ‘bridle’ or ‘rein’. Patanjali used it to describe a restraint that we willingly and joyfully place on ourselves to focus our efforts. Our self-restraint can be a positive force allowing us to see clearer and make better decisions, behave better, be healthier and happier. The Yamas are not about labeling right and wrong; bad and good, but rather, they help us make more conscious choices and act with more awareness towards ourselves, all beings and the world we live in. There are 5 YAMAS.
The first Yama: AHIMSA: non-violence, non-harming, gentleness in thought, speech and action. External non-harming is most easily understood: taking care with our words and deeds to cause no harm. Internal non-harming addresses our thoughts, and our intentions. Ahimsa calls forth from us our most brilliant and best self.
- being kind and treating all things with care, including the clothing we wear, the food that we eat, the things that we buy and use
- being compassionate in how we think about & act with others
- being compassionate in how we think about ourselves
“In the Karate Kid movies, Mr Miyagi at first appears to be a rather harmless little old man to 17 year old Daniel. Mr Miyagi is humble and unpretentious; he sits around for hours trying to catch flies with chopsticks, tends his bonsai trees, and doesn’t bat an eye when provoked. However, when Daniel is threatened by bullies, he springs into defensive action. From that point on, Mr Miyagi becomes Daniel’s mentor in the art of skilful defence, true friendship, and the art of living. Daniel then became skilled at karate by moving through daily chores of waxing cars, sanding wood, and painting fences. So, too, do we grow our capacity to be non violent by learning how to move through everyday challenges of life. Our capacity to be nonviolent depends on our proactive practice of courage, balance, love of self, and compassion for others.” Deborah Adele
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