What is Asteya, or non-stealing, the third Yama of yoga?

I've recently gone back to work after taking a much needed summer sebatical. while my new job is excellent and fully remote, it's extremely busy and I've been struggling to make time for exercise and stretching. Ive been trying to wake up at 5:30 to make it happen, but I'm a single mother of a 3 year old so sleep isn't always reliable 🤣 I really really really am missing my peaceful summer yoga sessions, all I need is 15 minutes to align my body and mind! I came across an advert for Asana yoga, which is I found out it's what we typically mean when we say yoga, but it's just a small part of the practice. I'm reminded there is more to it than the physical exercise, but an intentional method of coexistence. I ended up learning about the eight limbs of yoga, and more specifically yamas and niyamas which are the social ethics and personal practices of yoga.

I'm adding this context because my current goals are to be present, be mindful, and be kind. When I get to run fast, climb mountains, pick up heavy things, dance and sweat, this is SO MUCH EASIER to attain...because I'm exhausted and endorphins work ✅. But I have a demanding job and a small kid, I can do these things but not as often as I'd like for the time being. I've committed to doing a practice of 10 or 15 minutes a day of either mediation, gratitude, yoga (Asana), journaling, nature walk. The social ethics and personal practices of yoga are all things I've practiced unknowingly, but to see these defined it felt like a 💡 moment as to where I am still struggling to find equilibrium. For example today I sat down with my coffee at my desk at 7:30am and besides peeing twice I worked straight until 5pm. It was a beautiful day outside, so I picked up my daughter from school and took her to the reservoir to look at the boats. She threw pinecones and laughed at seagulls and we walked the shore & back to the car, all in all was about a 15 minute excursion. I practiced being present with her, I felt and enjoyed the feeling of contentment. It feels holistic to understand this practice being as important to my health and happiness as much as physical exercise. We do not nourish ourselves in this way often enough

I wanted to share the article on Asreya not only because I thoroughly enjoyed it as a learning experience, but because I think many women recognize this 'stealing" behavior as something that is forced on us and heavily promoted (eg cat fight 🤢). The article is a quick read, but in short,

"It (asteya) is restraining from making ourselves smaller or bigger than we are, or from trying to be something we are not or hiding from what we are.

I am a firm believer that people have vastly different baselines. An incredible small change for one person could be an incredible milestone for another. If you think you 'should be' at a certain point in your life, you steal from yourself- I find that revolutionary. when I wished and grew envious in my youth, I was poor. As I turn inward to practice true gratitude for my health, my family, and my life, I'm humbled. And my mindset shift has indeed made me rich in so many aspects of my life. I intend to practice more sharing joy in the accomplishments of others!

I hope you enjoy, I think these concepts are very useful for FDS women.