Did you know that YOGA has ethical guidelines called Yamas and Niyamas?

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Yamas: Social observances and guidelines governing relationships

Ahimsa:  Non-harming, loving kindness and compassion for all living things

SatyaCommitment to truthfulness, integrity, and honor.

 Asteya: Non-stealing, not taking or desiring what is not yours

BrahmacharyaBehaving with love and integrity without selfishness or manipulation; developing sensual control so as to restrain from sexual misconduct.

AparigrahaNon-possessiveness, voluntary simplicity, non-greediness

 

Niyamas: Personal observances – Guidelines for daily activities

Shauca:  Internal and external puritycleanliness, orderliness and balance

•   Live a clean and healthy life with clarity of body, mind and spirit.

SantosaContentment, equanimity, peace and tranquility
•   Be modest and content with what you have, even while experiencing life’s difficulties.
•   Recognize that life becomes a process of growth through all kinds of circumstances.
 Tapas:  Disciplined use of energy, purification, willpower, austerity, and patience.
•   Direct your energy to enthusiastically engage life.
•   Pay attention to the health of the body, eating habits, breathing patterns, and diligence in your commitments.

Svadhyaya:  Self-inquiry, mindfulness, study of the texts, placing the teachings within yourself as a way of walking your talk.
•   Welcome and accept your limitations.  Be centered and non-reactive to dualities; burn out unwanted and self-destructive tendencies.
•   Be patient with yourself. Acknowledge that yoga is a process.

Ishvara Pranidhana:  Open to Grace and dedicate your life to expanding divine Self awareness
•   Lay all your actions at the feet of the Divine and recognize your role as part of the Creator.  See the Divine in one another and act accordingly..
•   Always look for what is right—the beauty, the light, and the positive in people and things—instead of what is wrong. Always give the other person the benefit of the doubt.