यम नियमyama · niyama
Yamas and niyamas, the ethics of yoga
2 min read · Updated October 16, 2026 · sources checked October 16, 2026
In short
The yamas and niyamas are the first two of the eight limbs of yoga in Patañjali's Yoga Sutras. The five yamas are non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, brahmacarya and non-possessiveness (2.30); the five niyamas are purity, contentment, discipline, self-study and surrender to the Lord (2.32).
The five yamas
अहिंसासत्यास्तेयब्रह्मचर्यापरिग्रहा यमाः
ahiṃsā-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahā yamāḥ
Non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, brahmacarya and non-possessiveness are the restraints.
| Yama | Meaning | In daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Ahiṃsā | Non-violence | Do not force the body; speak without wounding |
| Satya | Truthfulness | Say what is true, kindly |
| Asteya | Not stealing | Do not take what is not given, including others' time |
| Brahmacarya | Conduct in brahman | Moderation of the senses |
| Aparigraha | Non-possessiveness | Keep what you need, let go of the rest |
The five niyamas
शौचसन्तोषतपःस्वाध्यायेश्वरप्रणिधानानि नियमाः
śauca-santoṣa-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni niyamāḥ
Purity, contentment, discipline, self-study and surrender to the Lord are the observances.
| Niyama | Meaning | In daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Śauca | Purity | A clean body, a clean place, clear thoughts |
| Santoṣa | Contentment | Practise with the body you have today |
| Tapas | Discipline | The same short practice, every day |
| Svādhyāya | Self-study | Read a verse, then observe yourself |
| Īśvara-praṇidhāna | Surrender to the Lord | Offer the practice, let go of the result |
When a thought pulls the other way
Patañjali gives a simple method in the next sutra (2.33): when contrary thoughts arise, cultivate their opposite (pratipakṣa-bhāvanam). Irritation on the mat becomes a reason to soften the breath.
Questions people ask
Do I have to follow all ten to practise yoga?
Patañjali presents them as the foundation of practice and calls the yamas a great vow when they hold everywhere and always (2.31). Most practitioners start with one, such as ahiṃsā, and let it shape the rest.
What does brahmacarya mean?
Literally, conduct in brahman. Traditions read it as celibacy for renunciants and as moderation of the senses for householders.
Sources
- Patañjali, Yogasūtra, Sanskrit text (GRETIL, University of Göttingen) checked October 16, 2026
- The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translated by Charles Johnston (1912), Project Gutenberg checked October 16, 2026