The Five Yamas

(The Five Ethical Observances,

aka The Five Universal Moral Values

- The First Limb of Yoga)

While the five Yamas are often defined as the five "ethical observances", I like to call them the five "universal moral values", because I have found time and time again, through my more than twenty years of practicing yoga, studying yoga, and studying and practicing other paths as well (other spiritual paths, religions, and wisdom traditions), that these values exist in one form or another in the vast majority of paths I have studied and/or practiced.

Below are the five Yamas. Under each Yama in quotes is the meaning of that Yama as I recite and reaffirm it daily, and practice it along my journey in life. Please note, the wording of these meanings is very important, as this is how I have come to realize the deepest meaning in alignment with the underlying essence of that Yama, while being clear and concise as to how to actually practice it in daily life with my utmost sincerity.

1) Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

"Non-violence. Not harming others, or my self, in thought, word, or deed."

2) Satya (Truthfulness)

"Truthfulness. Living with honesty and integrity in thought, word, and deed."

3) Asteya (Not-Stealing)

"Not-stealing. Not stealing from any beings."

4) Brahmacharya (The Path of the Divine / Living in Alignment with the Divine)

"Living in alignment with the Divine. Living in alignment with the Divine, by not living in excess, not committing acts of immorality, not living in ignorance, which all decrease vitality and create distance with the Divine. And instead, living in alignment with the Divine by living a wholesome, balanced, moral, and awakened life, so as to maximize vitality, come closer to the Divine, live in alignment with the Divine - in harmony with the Divine. And ultimately, have the opportunity to live in Oneness with the Divine."

5) Aparigraha (Non-Attachment)

"Non-attachment. Non-attachment, which also includes things such as non-hording, non-coveting, non-greed. Non-attachment, for attachment binds one to something external to their true Self, creating distance with the Divine. So non-attachment to things such as drugs, alcohol; non-attachment to materialism; non-attachment to anything that binds one to something external to their true self, creating distance with the Divine."

Om Shanti,

Keith Wolfe, founder of Raja-Vinyasa Apex Yoga™