Living the Yamas + Niyamas: A Guide to Yoga-Inspired Living
My discovery of the Yamas + Niyamas
Oh my, this is my absolute favourite aspect of the yoga practice! When I first discovered the Yamas + Niyamas during my Yoga Teacher Training, it felt like I had stumbled upon the missing piece I had been yearning for all my life — even though I hadn’t actively sought it out.
Yoga is not just about stepping onto the mat for a physical practice; it encompasses every aspect of our daily lives. The Yamas + Niyamas, the first two limbs of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, serve as a profound guidebook that I live by and turn to when navigating life’s highs and lows.
During my Yoga Teacher Training, I was still in the early stages of practice, mostly focused on Asana. But once I was introduced to yoga philosophy, I realised I had dipped my toes into just one-eighth of a vast ocean of wisdom. These teachings resonated deeply, offering me a new way to live with alignment, purpose + balance.
The Yamas
Think of the Yamas as a guidebook for how to be a good human being. They are outward practices that shape the way we interact with the world:
Ahimsa (non-violence): not just physical, but also in the way we speak, think + treat ourselves.
Satya (truthfulness): living, speaking + acting in alignment with your truth.
Asteya (non-stealing): respecting time + energy, your own and others’.
Brahmacharya (protection of energy): preserving energy by being mindful of where you invest it.
Aparigraha (non-attachment): releasing the urge to cling, hoard or resist life’s flow.
The Niyamas
The Niyamas are more inward practices — a guidebook for personal behaviour and self-discipline:
Saucha (cleanliness + purity): caring for body, mind + environment.
Santosha (contentment): cultivating gratitude + presence in the now.
Tapas (discipline + determination): showing up with commitment + consistency.
Svadhyaya (self-study): reflecting, learning + growing through awareness.
Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender): trusting in a higher power, however you define it.
Living yoga beyond the mat
For me, these principles are not abstract philosophy — they’re daily practices. They infuse my classes, meditations + life with meaning. The Yamas and Niyamas remind me that yoga is not just about moving the body, but about living with kindness, clarity, discipline + surrender.
Even now, I’m still diving deeper, discovering new treasures in these teachings. And the beauty is — you don’t have to wait for a Yoga Teacher Training to begin. You can start applying them right now, in simple, everyday ways.
How to practice the Yamas + Niyamas
Reflect on one principle at a time.
Journal about how it shows up in your life.
Experiment with small, mindful shifts.
Be gentle with yourself — these are lifelong practices.
Yoga has helped me rediscover happiness, purpose + freedom, and I believe these principles are a big part of why. They’ve helped me meet parts of myself I didn’t even know existed.
Learn more
Want to dive deeper into yoga-inspired living? Explore the Inspired Club for on-demand support or download my ebook How to Live a Yoga-Inspired Life to begin your journey.
