A Modern Guide to the Yamas: How to Practice Asteya
This is part four of How to Practice the Five Yamas: A Modern Guide to a Balanced Life.
Asteya (non-stealing)
Giving rather than taking
The idea of asteya extends beyond just material possessions. “There are many layers to this,” says Alo Moves instructor Naya Rappaport. “It’s non-stealing from yourself, your environment, and others. Non-stealing from the environment and our future generations — making sure we don’t leave a damaged and polluted earth for those that come next into this world.” This yama encourages us to take a good look at what we have and practice contentment rather than being jealous of what others have.
Here’s how to practice asteya on and off the mat:
On the mat:
Show up to yoga class on time. When you arrive late, you’re preventing yourself from experiencing the full benefits of the practice and you might disturb the peace in the room. There are days when life is unpredictable, but if you find that you’re consistently late to class, consider choosing a different time that works for you or practice online yoga classes whenever you’re available. Make the best effort to protect your time as well as the time of others.
Focus on your own practice and your own strengths. It’s easy to fall into the downward spiral of seeing “yoga pose goals” and feeling bad about your limitations in that area. But remember that one practice is not better than the other, and we are all on different paths. Consider how much time they put in to get there, or the fact that we’re all influenced by our own genetics. Don’t steal from your own experience by focusing on theirs.
In a similar vein, don’t hold yourself back from trying anything new due to fear. If you feel like it’s safe to proceed in a new pose, try it, then back off if it’s not right for you. Who knows — you might find that it’s more accessible than you thought!
in your life:
Try to stop eating when you feel full. Eat enough to nourish your body and feel satisfied. There’s no need to take in more than is necessary.
Don’t underestimate your own talent — you’re just stealing from your own growth. Avoid selling yourself short and be proud of the skills and talents you’ve worked to build.
Feel yourself buying things you don’t need? Resist the urge to hoard and consume. Take inventory of what you have, give away what you no longer need, and only buy what adds true value to your life. It might also help to examine the root cause of why you want to buy each item and try to address those causes. Try investing your happiness in other areas, such as experiences and friendships.
Give credit where credit is due and be free with your gratitude. Acknowledge your coworkers’ ideas in group meetings, speak the compliments you keep inside, and allow others to shine. Rather than seeking the spotlight, trust that your hard work and attitude will be enough.
Leave this earth better than you found it. Calculate your carbon footprint here and research different ways to green your routine.
Be mindful of how you spend your time and others’ time. Send shorter emails, don’t schedule unnecessary meetings, show up to events on time, and don’t flake out on your plans.
Want to put it into practice? Flow with Naya in her Asteya: Non-Stealing yoga class on Alo Moves.
CONTINUE READING…
Let’s continue with the fourth yama, brahmacharya. Click here to read A Modern Guide to the Yamas: How to Practice Brahmacharya.