YAMA and NIYAMA

YAMA
     ahimsa - non-harming; kindness, helpfulness, gentleness.  Ask yourself, by thought, word, or deed, have I done anything to harm anyone today?  Expand awareness from self to other people, to other sentient beings, to society, to the environment...

     satya - truthfulness; living a whole and honest life.  Keeping promises.  Ask yourself have I been truthful with myself, others, and true to my Higher Self?

     asteya - non-stealing; responsibility, without jealousy or covetousness, generosity.  Can include a sense of conservation of natural resources, by not consuming more than you need and by avoiding wastefulness.  Ask yourself whether you can be happy without envy for others who have more than you.

     bramacharya - spiritual conduct;  chastity, temperance, moderation.  Practice self control in all things; follow the "middle path."

     aparigraha - non-grasping, non-hoarding;  not accepting gifts or favors, or anything for which you have not worked; simplicity.  Develop non-attachment to possessions and to outcomes of your efforts.  Be helpful.

NIYAMA
     saucha - cleanliness, purity, clarity.   Purity of body includes personal hygiene, diet, elimination.  Purity of mind comes from practice of yama.  Purity of action comes from clarity and the perfect integration of the fully engaged mind and body.

     samtosha - contentment, acceptance.  Active positive appreciation of your everyday circumstances.  Look on the bright side and help others to do the same.

     tapas - asceticism, austerity;  having a burning desire to achieve a goal and willingness to discipline the self for that purpose; self-sacrifice.

     svadhyaya - introspection, self study.  Knowing your own character, strengths, weaknesses.   Also study of spiritual texts and scriptures, and application of the concepts to yourself.

     isvari pranidhanani - devotion, spirituality, self-surrender.  Heart-felt living.  Unceasing devotion and surrender to the highest ideals of man and to one's highest ideal of Universal or Supreme Being.     

More Information about Yoga Ethics 

Books specifically about yama and niyama:   
    Raja Yoga : A Simplified and Practical Course by Wallace Slater, Quest books, 1968.   Ten lessons and practice suggestions on yama and niyama.  

     The Ethics of Love : Using Yoga's Timeless Wisdom to Heal Yourself, Others and the Earth by Vimala McClure, Nucleus Publications, 1992  Yama niyama in very modern terms from the perspective of an American woman.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: The original text from the Sanskrit.  Many Translations are available with commentary.

     How to Know God : The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali, by Swami Prabhavananda (Translator), Mentor, 1969    

     Integral Yoga; The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Sri Swami Satchidananda, Integral Yoga Publications, 1978

     The Science of Yoga,  by I. K. Taimni, Theosophical Publishing House, 1961

See Chapters in some books on hatha yoga:
    The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual, by Alice Christensen, Fireside Books, 1987, pp 186 - 189.

      Lectures on Yoga, Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, 1979, pp 21 - 28.

     The Elements of Yoga,  by Godfrey Devereux, Element, 1994, pp 40 - 43.

For a broader look at yoga practice and philosophy:

     The Essence and Purpose of Yoga : The Initiatory Pathways to the Transcendent,  by Raphael   Element, 1990

     The Shambhala Guide to Yoga, by Georg Feuerstein, Shambhala, 1996

Namaste.