Ashtanga Yoga Sutra : 1. Yama

We still talking about ancient practise of mindfulnes – Yoga . Dated back to thousands of years ago from its origin place in India , yoga is still practised by millions of people all over the world nowadays. There are some benefits that people can get by practising it profoundly. People who took yoga seriously would say it cured their physical pain , they deffinately get more healthier and lighter , it affects their emotional health too , bettering their relationship with themselves and still some more positive benefits.

Yoga litteraly means Union : ” that which brings you reality ”
This practise of body , mind , spirit will lead us to unite with our essentials nature. It is the moment of reality . Being present here and now. Yoga requires us to look inward -by bringing our focus in, observing our emotion and thoughts as well as the breathe then we will be able to get to know about ourselves better. There might be some things you need to let go in order to liberate yourself. Might be some things you need to understand better in order to become wiser than yesterday. Or maybe then you’ll regain your courage to ask for an appology to maintain harmonious relationship with surrounding .

To begin to practise yoga , kindly get to know Yoga philosophy which known as Ashtanga ( eight limbs ) of Yoga introduced by Maharshi Patanjali . It covering all aspects of external and internal in practising yoga in order to achieve ultimate joy and understanding.

First thing first is Yama .To restrain your ego and pleasure on physical plane. Deep insight of Yama will be briefly explain as followed.

a). Ahimsa , non-violance
As what we’ve understood that this is a spiritual practise which will always related to what we have in our mind , say it through the words and will be seen on our deeds.
Ahimsa is a non violance. It brings you what compassion is. It is not only the act of not killing animal or other living creatures , but your thoughts , your words and your deeds shouldn’t harm anything or anyone that will cause pain or losing lives.The cosmic love.

b) Satyam , thruthfulness
To hold on truth. Think , speak and act according the truth. To know the universal truth , one should allow himself to open up and surrender. By putting aside the ego , enables you to tune in to your biggest self that is one with the creator – the universal truth of all.

c) Asteya , non-stealing
This one is pretty easy to understand. But if we broaden up , first we have to know what is that not belong to us. Manipulating or misappropriating others idea can be an example of Asteya.

d) Brahmacharya , divine conduct.
It is a part in moderating the senses. To direct and controling the function of our senses towards divinity. At this stage we’ll prepare ourselves in using our prana / energy that later will be needed much more on further steps in Ashtanga Yoga Sutra. Rather than spending it on physical pleasures , better wisely use it on spiritual pleasure : inner joy.

e) Aparigraha , non-covetousness
It speaks about possesiveness. We’ve been taught for not too much depending on things or someone. Everything is for temporary. The feeling we have towards something , the goods , even this body where our soul living now is for temporary. There is no need for us to hold too long for anything. As we get to the point where everything is temporary , we are encouraged to share rather than taking more and more.

Part one of Ashtanga Yoga Sutra is not an instant practise where we’ll master it in just 1 day. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and the intentions we have. As yoga is one of spiritual practise , it takes us to go inward. Because that is the way to know who we are as a soul.