COVID 19: Help from the Yamas & Niyamas

COVID-19

This is a word most of us have never heard of until a few weeks ago.  It is amazing how much our world can come upside down with just five letters and two numbers.  This is a real opportunity for all of us to reexamine our lives.  Are we really practicing the morals and ethics as laid out in the Yoga Sutras? These ten principles are part of yoga that most Americans are unaware of.  I call it the foundation of yoga that all breathing exercises, yoga poses and relaxation techniques rest upon.  These “restraints” and “observations” can help us draw inner strength during this pandemic.

Yamas
Ahimsa – Nonviolence, Practice Peace and Kindness for ourselves and others

Satya – Truthfulness, Be Honest to ourselves and towards others with Kindness

Asteya – Non-stealing, Be Generous, Share, Be Prompt

Brahmacharya – Non-excess, In balance, Moderation

Aparigraha – Non-possessiveness, Letting Go, Less Materialism, Don’t Be Greedy

Niyamas
Saucha – Purity, Clear mind, Healthy body, Clean words, Clean actions

Santosha - Contentment, The Glass is Half Full

Tapas – Self-Discipline, Work Hard

Svadhyaya – Self-Study, Time for Reflection

Ishvara Pranidhana – Surrender, Acknowledge the Big Picture

Over the next couple of weeks, I will write a blog post about each one of these topics.  Stay tuned!!