yamas

Yamas are ethical restraints in Indian philosophy, particularly within the Yoga School as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. They constitute the first limb of yoga in some enumerations and are intended to govern a practitioner’s behavior toward others. The five yamas are: ahimsa (non-violence or non-harming in thought, word, and deed), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing or non-appropriation of others’ time, energy, or resources), brahmacharya (often interpreted as right use of sexual energy or celibacy in certain traditions), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness or non-greed).

In practice, the yamas are cultivated through mindful action, ethical decision-making, and considerate social conduct. They are typically taught as a foundation for meditation and spiritual discipline and are commonly studied alongside the niyamas, the personal observances, in many yoga traditions. The yamas aim to reduce harm, promote integrity, and support the development of inner concentration and self-control.

Note that in Hindu mythology, the term Yama refers to the god of death who presides over the afterlife; this is a distinct use of the word. In the context of yoga philosophy, however, the yamas are not deities but ethical guidelines intended to shape behavior and character. Modern yoga literature often presents the five yamas as applicable to daily life, including relationships, work, and community involvement.