Brahmacharya - the 4th Yama of the 8 limbs of Yoga and using it to benefit our lives

Traditionally, Brahmacharya meant abstaining from sexual acts, or celibacy, to become closer to God. But in more recent times, we can equate it with self-control, moderation and working on our purpose to connect deeper with our true nature.

As I delve deeper into the 8 limbs of yoga and look at Brahmacharya, I realise this is the one challenging me the most.

I have begun to realise how important a routine is for self-discipline, especially during the school holidays and having our kids around who need attention, motivation and nourishment.  

Self discipline, I believe, ties in with another yogic philosophy topic, the 3 Gunas (Tamas/Rajas/Sattva); in the winter we have Tamas to contend with, that inertia, that need to hibernate and snuggle with blankets, nice drinks, comforting movies and books.  

For me, summer brings Rajas, that fire energy, wanting a faster pace, a stronger practise, to get everything done!  Both of these are wonderful, but, of course, there HAS to be moderation; otherwise we either sink into depression (tamas), or burnout from doing too much (Rajas).  And we all have these issues, I am in constant flux in and out of them, so I have to take stock of how I practise, tweaking my day-to-day work/life balance.

The tamas and the rajas can come in handy, because we can use the opposite one to bring us into equilibrium (Sattva).

It is not feasible to expect ourselves to be completely Sattvic (in balance) all of the time.  So, I use more tamasic acts during burnout (or when I feel like I might), like restorative or yin yoga (spending long periods of time in a relaxing posture, not stretching, just being).  Sleeping in when I have the opportunity (not too much of course, there must be balance!), and general rest. So I can bring myself back into balance (Sattva) and have more strength to conquer my little addictions, like TV, Movies, chocolate and cheese.

My little addictions show up to trick me in sneaky ways.  I LOVE TV and movies.  Always have, always will; the problem is, in hard times, it can be an escape, it hooks me in, and, like many, I’m there for hours, soaking up all the delicious storylines and escapism.  TV and movies are great, but, in excess, prevent me from being disciplined and working on my purpose, or the things I need to do.

Lately, it has sucked me back in with Dragon’s Den.  I watched it a few times, and it was helping me with my business plan.  But then I started telling myself, "this is really helping me; I should watch it more, take notes and learn".  In no time at all, there I am, watching until midnight every night and not getting up at the time I would like to in the morning to be at peak productivity!  SNEAKY right!

Luckily, I am getting good at noticing my patterns and have nipped that in the bud, but I am grateful for it, because it has given me some GREAT advice for my business plan that I can take forward.  AND it has brought me back to a fantastic book “Atomic Habits”.  I highly recommend this book if you are trying to start something new, be it an exercise regime, healthy eating, reading, a new career…

James Clear has written this incredible book that motivates us to begin a new habit.  He teaches us to start with small, easy tasks like putting a book by the bed and reading 1 page before we go to sleep, then gradually building up until we’re reading a whole chapter, or more. Laying out our workout clothes by the bed and putting them straight on in the morning to make breakfast and do the morning routine.  The next step is doing a small five-minute workout or a walk around the block.  Before you know it, that walk could turn into a light jog, or a trip to the gym for a 10-minute workout.  

Building the habit, making it easy, keeps the nervous system calm and happy, and we can build it gently over time.

Keeping that habit going is just as important. If you reeeeally don’t have the energy for your workouts some days, to keep up momentum, start with light stretching, a gentle 5-minute yoga class online, then see how you feel.  Maybe it leads you to a stronger workout.  Or show up to your yoga class and ask for modifications to make your practice softer (your yoga teacher will be more than happy to help).

Everything always comes back to Ahimsa, that first yama in the limbs of yoga.  Non-harm, kindness, to ourselves as well as others.

On another note (slightly unrelated but can be brought back to the limbs of yoga, as always!), it has been brought to my attention that AI is not good for the planet. I have to apologise to my daughter; I didn’t believe her when she told me that AI was created in data centres that use so much power and water!  I genuinely thought it was just created by a super-smart chip in a computer!  (Sorry hunny, you’ve grown up too fast!!)

I have been using AI to enhance my images and make them prettier and more appealing, and, in the spirit of being completely transparent, as I work through my stuff and help others work through theirs,  I guess this is one of my things!  Yoga means way more to me than making myself look good though; it is everything that it professes to be.  It brings me energy and vitality, makes me feel stronger, fitter, healthier, happier.  It calms my chatty brain and, the best part, it allows me to bring this gift to others as well as be financially compensated!  What more could I ask for?

So, huge apologies to all and to the Earth.  The only AI images I will use now are the ones I have already created, as I paid for them. I have cancelled the subscription and will go back to organic creations.

Now I just have to work on not using ChatGPT…. So hard!!!

So, back to Brahmacharya, keeping up with our yoga practise, even when it feels tough, is imperative! I’m sure I don’t need to preach this to you, but our time on the mat helps us with everything else in our lives and keeps our bodies healthy and strong, and keeping that habit going keeps momentum going.  It is the natural medicine that we need to help keep the pharmaceutical medicines at bay.

Remember, hydration is key, especially during hot days, taking hydro tablets, or other sources of electrolytes (like coconut water) BEFORE class so it is already in our system.

Staying away from alcohol the night before; it helps you feel lighter and more energetic.

Eating plenty of protein and eating it BEFORE  the yummy carbs and sweets to line the stomach

and lessen any negative effects they may have on the digestive system.

If you would like to start your yoga habit slowly and gently, come to my Gentle Yoga class on Wednesdays at Braybrooke Village Hall, or try a 1:1 in your home/online.

Book here Book your class | Glow & Sage Yoga

Love and light xx

Image Courtesy of The Shala, London