The Yamas and Niyamas: A Guide to Yoga's Ethical Practice

Embrace the deeper teachings of yoga through the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical principles that guide us toward a more balanced and peaceful life. Learn how to integrate Ahimsa, the practice of kindness and non-violence, into your thoughts and actions. Explore how these timeless practices can transform your inner and outer world, fostering compassion, mindfulness, and clarity.

As you deepen your practice, you’ll likely discover that yoga is more than moving your body into different shapes on a mat. Yoga unites breath, body, and mind and connects practitioners of all backgrounds, ages, and unique experiences across time.

Said to predate the written word, yoga is dynamic, robust, and ever-changing. Nearly 3,000 years ago, the great sage Patanjali introduced the 8-limb path—a blueprint for understanding the principles of yoga. Two key components of this framework are the Yamas and Niyamas, often called the 10 commandments of yoga.

The Yamas guide how you present yourself to the world—your moral and ethical code. The Niyamas focus on how you conduct yourself internally.

Simply put, the Yamas address how you treat others, while the Niyamas focus on how you treat yourself.

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Brene Brown

YAMAS - External Ethics

• Ahimsa: Non-violence, free from harm
• Satya: Truthfulness
• Asteya: Non-stealing
• Brahmacharya: Moderation, free from overindulgence
• Aparigraha: Non-attachment, non-possessiveness

NIYAMAS - Internal Ethics

• Saucha: Purity, cleanliness
• Santosha: Contentment in the present moment
• Tapas: Self-discipline
• Svadhyaya: Self-study
• Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender to the Divine

Want to learn more?
Check out The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele.

I highly recommend this book if you are ready to deepen your understanding of the core principles of yoga.

AHIMSA - The First Yama

Yoga's Golden Rule

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

The first Yama is Ahimsa, the practice of kindness toward yourself and all other beings. It’s the foundation on which all other principles are built. You have to get this one right before moving on. In Sanskrit, Ahimsa translates to "non-violence." While we often think of non-violence as refraining from physical harm, Ahimsa also speaks to deeper, more subtle forms of kindness.

Ahimsa is the practice of compassion in both thought and action. You embody Ahimsa when you think kindly of yourself and others when you let the bug in your kitchen live, and when you hold the door for a stranger.

How to apply Ahimsa to your daily life:

• Value and cherish all life – Practice compassion and acceptance for all beings.
• Do no harm – Be kind to your environment; leave the world a better place than when you arrived.
• Practice equanimity – Cultivate mental calmness and balance, especially in challenging situations.
• Rewire your mind and transform your inner landscape -allowing pure thoughts and actions to flow as you live life with your heart wide open.

I’m Emily Daugherty—a Registered Nurse, yoga teacher, and women’s health advocate with nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

After a life-changing accident in my early 30s, I discovered the healing power of movement, mindfulness, and balanced living. Now, I help women over 50 take simple, empowering steps to feel strong, confident, and vibrant-in the second season.