The Yamas of Ashtanga Yoga in Modern Day Life

What are the Yamas? They are a term that appears in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras in Ashtanga Yoga. In ashtanga, meaning eight limbs, Yamas are the first limb meaning right living. In other words they are ethical guidelines for good living. The five Yamas are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness.

A workplace is an ideal place to cultivate and practice Yamas. First, imagine how you spend eight hours a day, five days a week in the office, sometimes even longer. Second, the office is your place to act, speak and socialize with others. How can you translate the yoga teachings of Yamas into your workplace?

Ahimsa (non-violence)

Practice ahimsa at work by recognizing the power of the words.  In some Asian countries, managers can yell at employees with foul languages.  Although in North America harassment (verbal or physical) is strictly not allowed in workplaces, even the less powerful hurtful words, when spoken with a negative energy such as “how could you be so stupid …” or “don’t you know how to …” or “how could you forget …”, can still have a powerful effect on someone’s life.  Gossiping and speaking ill of others are so common in workplaces too.  So speak with good intention and integrity. Learn to control the speech by determining not to say anything harsh or unkind and to forgive the mistakes of your subordinates, peers and even your managers.

Satya (truthfulness)

Be honest, tell the truth.  Last week the VP of my department came to my desk and said I did a great job creating a report.  I honestly told him the report was done by other team members and I cannot take the credit.  I felt so proud of myself being so honest.  Also, I have learned not to over-promise and under-deliver any assignment.  However, if speaking the truth has negative consequences for another, then maybe it is better to say nothing.  Satya should never come into conflict with efforts to behave with ahimsa.  This is an important reminder when doing performance reviews with my staff.  I need to tell them the truth about their work performances but in a mindful way that will not hurt their feelings and also help them to develop their professional excellence.

Asteya (non-stealing)

There are many subtle ways to appropriate what does not belong to us in the workplace. Tardiness, slacking off and Facebook time are stealing employer’s time.  Even requesting unnecessary information and meetings are wasting the time of your colleagues.  Or stealing co-worker’s ideas and taking credit of their work.  On slow days, practicing asteya in the office is challenging, when workloads are light and downtime is plentiful. In this moment, invite asteya by picking up new skills, or complete the tasks that have been putting off.

Brahmacharya (celibacy)

Sexual harassment comes in many forms in the workplace.  Demeaning comments, sexually explicit languages and jokes are just a few. For some, career advancement means climbing the corporate ladder using sex appeal. From a broader definition of brahmacharya, it means the “right use of energy, finding a life of moderation and balance”.  I believe in work-life balance.  I have colleagues who work and travel so much that have became an estranged parent, ended up with divorces and deteriorated health.  The “promiscuous” energy – unaware of the thoughts and actions can influence each relationship and bond we create.  Perhaps it is more useful to see brahmacharya (sexual or otherwise) as the awareness around what is being created with the energy.

Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)

Rather than holding onto workplace “wins” and “losses” and personal success, the workplace should be a place for creativity, innovations and collaborations.   Aparigraha also implies letting go of our attachments to things with an understanding that impermanence and change are the only constant.  It is in fact very important for a company to change constantly to create advantages, sustain performance and maintain competitiveness.  Most of the time organizational and process changes cause employees to feel insecure and uneasy.  My mentor once told me “change is hard because people over-estimate the value of what they have and underestimate of what they may gain by giving that up.”   As an employee it is my responsibility to accept new ideas, learn new skills and create space for growth.

I am happy that even though my feet are not standing on the mat but I am still practicing the teachings of yoga in the workplace, from 9 to 5, eight hours a day and five days a week.

Share the Sutra Teachings

How can you apply these Yamas to your work place? Leave us a comment and let us know! Share this article with some of your colleagues and see if you can all apply these ideas together!

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For a clear and easy to understand guide to yogic philosophy and how to apply it to your daily life, check out the Doron Yoga Manual.

Blissful Living,

Doron