 The final Yama, Aparigraha, means non-grasping or non-possessiveness. At first, it’s about material things: don’t hoard, don’t cling. But at a deeper level, it’s about releasing the need to control outcomes.
Our egos want to hold tight—whether to people, identities, or expectations. Aparigraha whispers: Open your palms. Trust the flow of life. On the mat, this might look like practicing without attachment to whether you “nailed” the pose. Off the mat, it’s about loosening your grip on how things “should” be, and discovering freedom in acceptance. Everyday Practices
What’s one thing—physical, emotional, or mental—you could let go of today to move from holding on to flowing with life? Further Resources If this post on the 8 limbs of yoga sparked something for you, here are a few ways to go deeper:
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 The fourth Yama, Brahmacharya, is often misunderstood as simply “celibacy.” But in its truest sense, it’s about right use of energy.
We all have a limited amount of prana—life force—each day. How we spend it shapes the quality of our lives. Brahmacharya asks: Am I scattering my energy, or am I directing it toward what truly matters? This doesn’t mean denying pleasure. It means choosing consciously. It’s scrolling less and listening more. It’s resting when your body needs it instead of forcing productivity. It’s intimacy that connects, not depletes. Everyday Practices
What is one place in your life where your energy leaks unnecessarily? How could you redirect that energy toward what feels purposeful? Further Resources If this post on the 8 limbs of yoga sparked something for you, here are a few ways to go deeper:
👉 Start Here  When we hear “don’t steal,” our minds often go to shoplifting or breaking into houses. But Asteya, the third Yama, is much subtler than that. It invites us to notice all the ways we take more than what’s freely given.
Sometimes it’s stealing someone’s time by showing up late. Other times, it’s claiming credit for an idea that wasn’t fully ours. On the mat, it can look like forcing ourselves into a pose our body isn’t ready for, “stealing” energy from tomorrow. Asteya asks: What if I trusted that what I have is enough? Everyday Practices
Reflection Prompt Where in your life do you take without realizing it—attention, time, energy, or credit? How could you shift toward gratitude and generosity this week? Further Resources If this post on the 8 limbs of yoga sparked something for you, here are a few ways to go deeper:
👉 Start Here  Satya, the second Yama, means truthfulness. At first glance, it seems simple: don’t lie. But in practice, Satya is about much more than avoiding falsehoods—it’s about living in alignment with authenticity. Truth without compassion can cut like a knife. Compassion without truth can turn into enabling. Satya calls us into the delicate dance of honesty and kindness. Everyday Practices
Reflection Prompt Think of a recent moment when you held back your truth. What stopped you? How might you share it with compassion if you had another chance?  Further Resources
If this post on the 8 limbs of yoga sparked something for you, here are a few ways to go deeper: Read the Book Dancing with Our Selves: A Practical Guide to Harness the Ego and Live on Purpose — my book blends yoga philosophy with modern psychology to help you move beyond reactive patterns and live with intention. Practice the Principles Join my self-guided program, 40 Days of the Yamas & Niyamas, and receive short daily videos + reflections to bring these teachings into your everyday life. Train & Transform If you’re ready to take the full journey of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, my Yoga Teacher Training offers an in-depth, life-changing experience that prepares you to share yoga with others and embody it more fully yourself. 👉 Start Here |
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