By Bo Chang, aka Miss Bite Size

First, Miss Bite Size would like to clarify this: When folks talk about ashtanga yoga, they may not be talking about the same thing!

When you go to practice Ashtanga on a mat in a studio or a gym, you’re practicing Pattabhi Jois’s system of Ashtanga Yoga, a school of Vinyasa Yoga. It’s a specific school of physical practice (an awesome, challenging and beautiful one).

The ashtanga I’m talking about here translates as “eight limbs” and comes from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. One diligently practices ashtanga yoga in hope of  achieving a steady, unwavering control of mind.

As quickly discussed in the definition of asana, there are eight limbs one practices. The first are the yamas. There are various numbers of yamas depending on the scripture, but Patanjali prescribes five. One can look at the yamas as the commandments for one’s behavior toward others:

Ahimsa: non-violence. A yogi must not harm or injure living things. This is where the whole vegetarian thing fits in (which shall be discussed ad naseum on this site – trust me). But it’s not just limited to sporting a vegan diet – that would be missing the wider picture. We’re talking about non-violence in one’s words, deeds and thoughts, not just to others but to oneself. A-ha! Now it gets complicated and all Freudian. Awesome.

Satya: truth. Don’t lie. Tell the truth. We all know how hard this is. Who among us mortals only speaks the absolute truth? Not even a little white lie to be polite in public? Liar.

Asteya: no coveting. If it’s not yours, then it’s not yours. Don’t bother thinking about it. It’s only going to disturb your mind. Pretty straight forward, no?

Brahmacharya: abstinence. That’s right. No sex. In today’s Western world, this isn’t exactly applicable to the fullest extent. We also note that most of the gurus we know of were/are married with children. Miss Bite Size has learned from her teachers that basically one must avoid being a total ho and find joy in a meaning partnership. Reasonable, no? Afterall, we’re trying to quiet our minds. Sex, lust, love, relationship dramas all tend to work against that.

Aparigraha: no possessiveness. Don’t grab. Don’t hold on to things. Didn’t your mommy teach you to share? Well, it’s not just about your Barbies. We don’t like to let things, people, emotions go. We define ourselves with what we hold on to. Think about it. Do you want to do that?

Well, guess what? It’s only the first of eight limbs! Better practice.