5 ways to practice yoga everyday, even if you never step on the mat
By Pamela Kikosewin
Looking to integrate more yoga into your life, but you don’t have time to get on the mat? Or maybe you have a regular physical practice, but you are looking to go beyond the asanas and integrate more of yoga philosophy in your day to day life.
In Patangeli’s Yoga Sutras we find the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and the Yamas make up the first limb. The Yamas are ethical foundations that help guide us in our lives. Practicing the Yamas is a great way to simplify your life, decrease drama and stress and bring more peace and harmony into your day.
image credit: https://scyogagirl.wordpress.com/2023/01/17/what-are-the-yamas/
There are 5 Yamas:
"Ahimsa" — Sanskrit for "non-harming"
"Satya" — Sanskrit for "truthfulness"
"Asteya" — Sanskrit for "non-stealing"
"Brahmacharya" — Sanskrit for "wise use of energy"
"Aparigraha" — Sanskrit for "non-grasping, non-attachment or non-hording"
There are many ways to practice the yamas in your lfe, but I wanted to share some of the ways that I am looking to integrate the yamas in my life this year.
Ahimsa: I am trying to practice compassion for myself, for one another and for all beings. In my life this looks like looking with soft eyes, trying not to be self critical and to speak to myself and others with kind words. I believe the best of those in my life unless they show me otherwise in a pattern of behaviour. Non-harming extends for me to animals and the planet and I am vegan. Even if you are not vegan, try integrating more plant-based foods into your diet and opt for more environmentally friendly clothing options like buying repurposed or second-hand garments. We can all be kinder and more gentle on ourselves and the planet.
Satya: This year I am working on speaking my truth more often. I have found in my experience as a woman that I have been conditioned to frequently keep the peace in situations and this often means diluting my truth to make it more palatable to others. This year I’m working on being honest, even when it is difficult, but delivering my honesty with kindness.
Asteya: When I think about non-stealing, I reflect on theft beyond the physical. I’m reminded of the importance of crediting and thanking my teachers and other creators who inspire me; especially when I use their ideas. Asteya can also mean not stealing time. Throughout a lot of my adult life I have been a person who arrives “just in time” for yoga or for work or time with friends. Rushing in, perhaps dysregulated at the last minute steals time from others. By arriving calm and prepared I can practice asteya. Also, by respecting the boundaries of others, I practice asteya by not stealing their energy.
Bramacharya: This one has been transformational in my life. I have had a tendency to pour my energy into actions or relationships that have not been healthy for me. I somehow believed that by endlessly giving I was being selfless and that was the loving path. Now I can see that this is not a good path to go down. I am protecting my energy by engaging in reciprocal relationships and activities that fill my cup as much as I am pouring out. Specifically I have been single for a while now after being in romantic relationships for all of my adolescent and adult life. Being single has been a source of great joy for me.
Aparigraha: Oh boy I am working on this one. My closet has been a great source of joy in my life. I love fashion, and I express myself through my clothing. However, I have more than I need and I sometimes have used shopping as an escape. Fast fashion is a big contributor to the environmental destruction of our planet and typically involves people working in unsafe and poorly paid jobs. I don’t want to contribute to that. I am working on non-hording by regularly sorting through my closet and donating what no longer serves me. I also try to buy second hand as much as possible. Supporting local makers who make quality items, especially using repurposed materials is a wonderful way to practice aparigraha in my life.
What about you? How will you express the Yamas in your life this year?
Take a few moments to reflect and come up with ideas. Maybe choose one yama each week and come up with a way to express it in your life. Incorporating the Yamas into you life is a great way to practice yoga off the mat.
Pamela Kikosewin is a local Nelson Yoga Teacher, Registered Dietitian, Burlesque Dancer and Mom of 4. You can find her outside on sunny days. For more information on Yoga Nidra, Pamela and the classes that she offers, head to her instagram: