Off the Mat: Yamas

We learned that the Yamas are the moral and ethical principles which guide us in living with others in order to live a fulfilled and happy life. They direct us towards health, harmony, peace, satisfaction and well-being.

They are not a system of what is “right” and what is “wrong”; rather, they are guidelines for living that came about after lifetimes of observation and learning by the sages of ancient India.

These are behaviors which control negative tendencies, and offer a more beneficial way of thinking and acting within society. Here are some of our tried-and-true ways of taking the Yamas into practice Off the Mat:

• Ahimsa (non-violence)
  • Off the mat: Quiet your inner critic. Close your eyes at your desk for 30 seconds and intentionally take 5 long, deep breaths.
• Satya (truth)
  • Off the mat: Honor your word. Meet the deadlines you’ve committed to or re-communicate an updated deadline to your co-workers.
• Asteya (non-stealing)
  • Off the mat: Mind the clock. Be conscious of not stealing your co-workers’ precious time. Start and end meetings punctually.
• Brahmacharya (moderation)
  • Off the mat: Pause. Be honest about your workload before you agree to take on more projects.
• Aparigraha (non-coveting)
  • Off the mat: don’t be a Cookie Monster. There are enough snacks in the office kitchen for your entire team – so long as you don’t hoard them at your desk.