Yama and Niyama are the do's and don'ts, or ethical disciplines, which have existed in the human race since the beginning of civilisations. Yama and Niyama are traditional whether one is from the civilisations of the East or the West. By following these traditional precepts, with are closely related in many ways to the Buddhist Eight Fold Path, we work towards individual development of the body, mind, and soul.
Yama is the foundation of yoga. It is the first step in the Eightfold Path of Patanjali. Yama tells us what to avoid doing because ti would do harm to the individual and that of society. The observance of yama disciplines the five organs of action which are the arms, the legs, mouth, the organs of regeneration, and the organs of excretion.
Niyama is religious observance. It is the second step in the path of the Eightfold Path of Patanjali. The five principles of Niyama control the organs of perception, which are the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue and the skin. It consists of purity, both internal and external (Shaucha), contentment (Santosha), the practice of austerity (Tapas), the study and learning of religious books (Svadhyaya), and self-surrender to God (Atamivedana).
