What is the difference between Yamas and Niyamas?

Yamas and Niyamas are the first two pillars of the eightfold path of Ashtanga yoga. When a seeker on the path of yoga asks about how to start a yogic journey, the answer is with the Yamas and Niyamas.

Where do Yamas and Niyamas come from?

Patanjali was an ancient Indian sage who authored the Yoga Sutras, which have come to be accepted as the authoritative text on classical yoga.

It was in the Yoga Sutras that Patanjali classified classical yoga into the 8 limbs of yoga or what we know as Ashtanga yoga. The Yamas and the Niyamas are the first two limbs of these eight limbs.

What are the 5 Yamas?

The five Yamas are:

1. Ahimsa is the principle of causing no harm. It is taking the approach of non-violence towards all living beings in thought, action, and word.

2. Satya is the principle of being true. It entails truthfulness, non-lies, and non-falsehood.

3. Asteya is the principle of non-stealing. The scope of asteya is not limited to material and physical objects. It expands to include our behaviors in relationships, and our attitude towards other people’s time, energy, trust, generosity, etc.

4. Brahmacharya is literally following the kind of conduct that would lead us to the divine creator.

While widely understood as celibacy, Brahmacharya in its true essence refers to the conservation and moderation of sensual energy. This energy can then be used as spiritual energy.

5. Aparigraha is abstinence from grasping and hoarding. It is the principle of non-possessiveness, both with things and people.  

What are the 5 Niyamas?

The five Niyamas are:

1. Shaucha means purity and cleanliness. It refers to keeping the mind, body, and speech clean and free of impurities.

We can keep the body pure by keeping it clean and keeping its environment clean. We can keep the mind clean by learning to stay clear of negative thoughts, tendencies, and behaviors.

2. Santosha means contentment. Contentment comes from acceptance, which is different from complacency.

Santosha asks us to accept ourselves, accept life as it is, and accept what life has brought to us. This principle is an essential step for us to lead a life of happiness.  

3. Tapas when translated in its literal form means heat. In the context of yoga, tapas refers to self-discipline. It is the burning off of our negative tendencies by practicing self-discipline, austerity, and perseverance.

4. Svadhyaya means the study of self. It also goes on to include the study of spiritual and sacred texts like the Vedas.

The practice of introspection, journaling, and studying the wisdom teachings are some ways to move closer to the true inner self.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana: The word Ishvara means God or the Supreme and pranidhana is to devote or surrender. This niyama is about cultivating humility and surrender. It asks us to dedicate all our actions to the Supreme and to give up on our ego.

The differences between Yamas and Niyamas

While both Yamas and Niyamas are ethical principles, there are fundamental differences between the two.

Here is how they are different.

1. Yamas are the don’ts, a list of self-restraints. Niyamas are the dos or a list of observances.

2. Yamas tell us what we should not do in relation to the outside world. Niyamas guide us on how we should treat ourselves.

3. The practice of Yamas is one of ethics. The practice of Niyamas is one of self-work.

4. Yamas come before Niyamas in the eight-fold path of yoga. The significance of this is that the practice of Yamas comes first and is to be followed by that of Niyamas.

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