Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others.

Ahimsa, meaning non-violence, is the most fundamental of the five Yamas in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is the practice of non-harming in thought, word and action, toward others, all living beings and ourselves.
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In everyday life, Ahimsa begins within. It asks us to notice our inner critic and meet ourselves with the same compassion we would offer others. On the mat, this means honouring your body's limits. Off the mat, it means choosing words with care and responding rather than reacting.
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Reflection: Where can I soften today?

Live honestly. Speak your truth gently. Listen to your inner voice.

Satya, meaning truthfulness, is rooted in the Sanskrit word sat, meaning "that which is real". Satya is not simply about avoiding lies. It is about aligning our words, actions and inner life with what is genuinely true for you.
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Satya is practised alongside Ahimsa. When the two come into conflict, kindness takes precedence. The goal is truth spoken with care, honouring both the message and the person receiving it.
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In everyday life, Satya might look like setting a boundary, saying how you truly feel, or choosing your values over the expectations of others.
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Reflection: What is true for me right now?

Take only what you need

Asteya, meaning non-stealing, extends far beyond possessions. When one is established in Asteya, abundance flows naturally from a mindset of sufficiency rather than lack.
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In practice, Asteya asks us to consider what we take from others: their time, energy and attention. It also turns inward: are we stealing from ourselves by overcommitting, saying yes when we mean no, or neglecting our own rest and joy?
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Asteya invites us to recognise that we already have enough — and that true abundance stops when we reach for more.
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Reflection: Where can I practise greater respect, for my own time and the time of others?

Moderation of the senses

Brahmacharya literally means "walking with Brahma", moving toward the divine. In classical yoga it referred to the conservation of sexual energy for spiritual practice. In contemporary life it is understood more broadly as the wise use of energy in all its forms.
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Brahmacharya asks us to become conscious of where our energy flows and whether it truly nourishes us. In a world of constant stimulation, screens, noise, comparison and consumption, choosing less of what drains you is a radical act of self-care.
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On the mat, this might mean a slower, restorative practice when depleted. Off the mat, an earlier night, a quieter morning or simply putting the phone down.
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Reflection: Where is my energy going today and is it going where I want it to?

Let go of what you cannot control

Aparigraha is the practice of releasing our grip on outcomes, possessions, identities and expectations. When one is established in Aparigraha, letting go opens us to a far deeper understanding of ourselves.
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In modern life, Aparigraha speaks directly to the culture of comparison and accumulation. The constant scroll, the highlight reel, the feeling that more will finally be enough. It gently reminds us that it will not. Peace is found in releasing, not acquiring.
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On the mat, this means meeting your practice where it is today. Off the mat, it might mean releasing a grudge, an expectation or a version of yourself you have outgrown.
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Reflection: What am I ready to let go of?