Outlined in the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali, these vows historically were taken by yoga students in order to guide behavior and support character development.
Yamas
- ahiṃsā: non-harming
- satya: truthfulness
- asteya: non-stealing
- brahmacharya: energy management
- aparigraha: non-covetousness
Niyamas
- śauca: purity
- santoṣa: contentment
- tapas: self-discipline
- svādhyāya: self-study
- īśvarapraṇidhāna: surrender