Yamas and Niyamas Reflection Questions

In the last blog, we went through a brief introduction to the first two limbs of yoga – the yamas and niyamas. If you would like to start thinking about how these ethical principles show up in your life, here are some reflection questions you might ponder or use as journal prompts: 

Yamas

• Ahimsa (nonviolence): How do I treat myself when I make a mistake? Would I treat someone else the way I treat myself?
• Satya (truthfulness): Am I comfortable expressing my true self even when I think others might not agree or accept me?
• Asteya (nonstealing): When I listen to a friend speak, do I listen to respond or listen to understand? Do I let the expectations of tomorrow rob me of gratitude for today?
• Brahmacharya (nonexcess): When I am dealing with a challenging or uncomfortable emotion, do I attempt to soothe it with an overindulgence of something, such as food?
• Aparigraha (nonpossessiveness): What expectation am I holding onto about how my life should look? Could I let it go?

Niyamas

• Saucha (purity): When during the day do I fall into the trap of multitasking, or simply go through the motions without being present? How can I prepare myself to be truly present during this time instead? 
• Santosha (contentment): How do I respond when something happens in a way I dislike? How could I respond with calm acceptance instead? 
• Tapas (self-discipline): What would it look like if I practiced doing a difficult thing today?   
• Svadhyaya (self-study): Think about something you believe you “should” do in your life. From which cultural norm or expectation does this belief stem?
• Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender): Where do I hold on to the need for control in my life? How can I practice surrendering control and allowing what may come?