Yoga_Journal_Singapore_FebruaryMarch_2017

76

february / march 2017

yogajournal.com.sg

Sherriann Melwani is a yoga teacher who shuttles between

Hong Kong, Bali and Singapore, and is a freelance writer for

Yoga Journal Singapore. Read about ‘Niyama’ in the next

edition.

that relate best to what we know as the Golden Rule, “Do

unto others as you would have them do unto you.” My

teacher, Sri Dharma Mittra, once said, “Yoga without the

Yamas is like spaghetti without the sauce”. It couldn’t have

been said better, although in Singapore, we can perhaps

replace spaghetti by Kway Teow!

The Yamas comprise five essential principles, each

addressing our interaction with the world around us.

1. Ahimsa: (non-violence) We treat others with compassion.
   By seeing ourselves in others, we would never hurt anyone.


2. Satya: (truthfulness) We choose honesty in all our
   interactions.


3. Asteya: (non-stealing) We take only what is ours.


4. Brahmacharya: (continence) We honour others as sacred
   beings by practicing balance in our physical relations.


5. Aparigraha: (non-coveting) Content with what we have,
   we take only what we need and practice simple living and
   non-attachment.

Referring to the five points of Yama, together with the five

points of Niyama (the second limb of Ashtanga that refers to

discipline), the learned yoga guru Swami Satchidananda said

that all spiritual life should be based on the principles held

therein—as these are the foundation stones without which

we can never build anything lasting. 

Patanjali recorded the Yamas to offer wisdom, and help

purify and liberate. Practising the Yamas prevents suffering

and leads to a peaceful environment. As all the Yamas are

interconnected, by following one, we would also be abiding

by the principles of the others. For example, by being honest

(satya) and not stealing (asetya), we are also practising

ahimsa.

Sometimes I close my classes with a special mantra that

perfectly embodies the overall theme of what it means to

follow the Yamas.

“Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu”. May all beings be

happy and free and may my actions somehow contribute to

the happiness of all.

Live the life of a yogi; choose compassion always. See

the many opportunities to be a yogi off the mat.

Practice of asana without the backing of yama and

niyama is mere acrobatics.

• Yoga guru BKS Iyengar

ASHTANGA

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