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1st Limb of Yoga – Yamas (Interpersonal Ethics) #4: Brahmacharya
We will start with the first Limb of Yoga – Yamas. There are 5 Yamas, and we will take a full day on our Daily Yogi journey to focus on practicing each of the five. Today is the fourth of five – Brahmacharya.
Many of the Yamas (YAH-muhs), or Interpersonal Ethics, are based fairly universally agreed upon morals and the Golden Rule. Let’s take a closer look at the fourth of five Yamas – Brahmacharya.
All about Brahmacharya (Moderation)
Brahmacharya (BRA-ma-KA-ree-yuh) literally means “on the path of God” in a direct translation from Sanskrit. It is often translated to English as celibacy or continence. I prefer the slightly less literal translation of Godlike, because it reminds me of a song by a German band, but I believe Brahmacharya’s true meaning to be “moderation.” Consider what feelings come up for you from these various translations.
Brahmacharya literally means “on the path of God” in a direct translation from Sanskrit. It is often translated to English as celibacy or continence. I believe Brahmacharya’s true meaning to be “moderation.” Now, as some translate this to mean celibacy, I interpret this as a parallel meaning to the Middle Path of Buddhism. So, for proper Brahmacharya practice, I believe in a middle-path approach of moderation NOT deprivation.
Brahmacharya is often translated to English as celibacy or continence. I believe Brahmacharya’s true meaning to be “moderation.” Now, as some translate this to mean celibacy, I interpret this as a parallel meaning to the Middle Path of Buddhism. So, for proper Brahmacharya practice, I believe in a middle-path approach of moderation NOT deprivation. Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Or perhaps have a small serving of exactly what you are craving without overindulging. One of my favorite practices is moderating my electronics and social media intake, and doing a digital detox day!
How to practice Brahmacharya (Moderation)
How to practice Brahmacharya (Moderation)
- Practice moderation not deprivation
Some translate Brahmacharya as celibacy, but I believe in a middle-path approach of moderation NOT deprivation. Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Or perhaps have a small serving of exactly what you are craving without overindulging. One of my favorite practices is moderation my electronics and social media intake, and doing a digital detox day!
- Make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice
Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach. Start integrating a 5 minute workout into your morning. If you are overworked, take some time for self-care (my favorites are a bath or a face mask) to recharge and refresh.
- Digital Detox
One of my favorite practices is moderating my electronics and social media intake, and doing a digital detox day! It is easiest to get out in nature and be ‘off the grid’ for a day to avoid temptation, especially if you are slightly addicted to your phone or social media. Another great plan is to get the family together and put all electronics
Asana Practices
Here are some Asanas (poses) and Asana series I feel embody the spirit of Brahmacharya! Click the images to learn to how to perform the pose or more about the Asana style!
Please note this section is currently under construction – please check back soon for more!
Meditation Practices
Here are some of my favorite meditations I feel embody the spirit of Brahmacharya!
Please note this section is currently under construction – please check back soon for more!
Brahmacharya Quotes
When Brahmacharya (moderation) is established, strength is gained. – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 
Practicing Brahmacharya (moderation) increases strength and willpower. – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 
Being connected to everything has disconnected us from ourselves and the preciousness of this present moment. – L.M. Browning 
The middle path is the way to wisdom. – Rumi 
Most safely shall you tread the middle path. – Ovid 
The middle way cannot be achieved by dividing two extremes in half. – Eric Maisel 
Work is important, but you also need to disconnect, to unplug at times, in order to be even more concentrated when you do work. – Massimiliano Allegri 
Everything in moderation, including moderation. – Oscar Wilde 
There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither. – Alan Cohen 
Silence is the only language of the realized. Practice moderation in speech. – Sathya Sai Baba 
Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light. – Madeline L’Engle 
He who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears, is more than a king. John Milton 
We live today not in the digital, not in the physical, but in the kind of minestrone that our mind makes of the two. – Paola Antonelli 
Moderation is the key of lasting enjoyment. – Hosea Ballou 
Almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. – Anne Lamott 
Life is about striking the perfect balance and since nothing in life is perfect, we have to do the best with what we got. – Anquanette Gaspard 
You can’t do a good job if your job is all you do. – Katie Thurmes 
Everything in moderation, and there’s a perfect balance in this life if we can find it. – Ryan Robbins 
There is no WiFi in the forest, but I promise you’ll find a better connection, – Unknown 
Next to love, balance is the most important thing. – John Wooden 
Fortify yourself with moderation; for this is an impregnable fortress. – Epictetus 
If you want to be a real person living in the real world, the first thing you must do is get off the grid. – Michael Faust 
Everything that exceeds the bounds of moderation has an unstable foundation. – Seneca the Younger 
But you do have choices about how you spend your time. Balancing what you need to do with what you want to do can lead to happiness and success. – Stephen Hall 
Our task is to strike a balance, to find a middle way, to learn not to overextend ourselves with extraneous activities and preoccupations, but to simplify our lives more and more. The key to finding a happy balance in modern life is simplicity. – Sogyal Rinpoche 
We do well to unplug regularly. Quiet time restores focus and composure. – Daniel Goleman 
Moderation in exercise, eating and amusement is the best guarantee of a beneficial vacation. – Ollie Reeves 
What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. – John Steinbeck 
The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you don’t, life controls you. – Tony Robbins 
Silence is the great teacher, and to learn its lessons you must pay attention to it. There is no substitute for the creative inspiration, knowledge, and stability that come from knowing how to contact your core of inner silence. – Deepak Chopra 
Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us. – Maya Angelou 
We were promised a simpler life, and technology has only complicated our lives. – Freeman Thomas 
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. – Aristotle 
Especially when you have a lot going on, you must find a way to unplug and focus on yourself. – Mandy Ingber 
Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices. – Betsy Jacobson 
Time and balance the two most difficult things to have control over, yet they are both the things that we do control. – Catherine Pulsifer
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