Yogic lifestyle is a minimalist style, striving for simplicity, freedom from craving and chasing wordly things and yet feeling contented. Yoga and its practices have been part of Hindu traditions since the early Vedic times (3000-1500 BCE), and descriptions of ascetic practices (tapas) can be found in archaic sanskrit scriptures as a way to enlightment. Implementing authentic asceticism (self-restraint) in the modern West is challenging, however gradual adjustment of lifestyle is accomplishable described in classical text on Yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
The first two limbs of Raja yoga described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali suggest a way of life, explaining ethical commandments (yama) and self-purification (niyamas). When you step on the path of yoga, and start doing yoga posture training, at the same time, slowly make changes in your lifestyle. Proceed gradually and do not coerce yourself since eastern practices does not advocate forceful asceticism (self-restraint).
Birefly, the yogi makes his life as simple as possible and trains his mind not to feel the loss or the lack of anything, he does not crave what he does not have; and develop the capacity to remain satisfied with whatever happens to him, he remains tranquil in joy and sorrow, so he is naturally content.
“The mind becomes purified by cultivating
friendliness toward the happy,
compassion for the unhappy,
delight in the virtuous, and
indifference toward the wicked.”
[The yoga sutras of Patanjali]
How to treat people? The first limb of yoga describes ethical commandments (yama), which warn us against killing, stealing, lying, possessing and voluptuous lifestyle through action, thoughts and speech.
1.ahimsa (non-violence)* No injury to all live forms including yourself. Give up all hostilities, abuse and violence, and be gentle with others and yourself as well. Do not offend with your words. Do not destroy anyone's self-esteem. Do not ridicule, blame and belittle anyone. The yogi adopt a vegeterian diet since he does not kill for food.
2.satya (truthfulness)* Be truthful in thought, word and deed. Do not be obscene. Do not lie, exagerate, distort, fabricate or deceit including self-deception. Do not play games. As a result, you will be heard with respect and attention.
3.asteya (non-stealing)* Do not take what belongs to someone else. Do not exploit anyone. Do not waste anyone's time. The yogi reduces his physical need to the minimum, believing that if he gathers things that he does not really need, it is a theft.
4.brahmacharya (restraint)* Continence of body, speech and mind. Avoid voluptuous lifestyle. Observe moderate diet. Renounce the fruits (e.g. satisfaction, pride) of your actions.
5.aparigraha (non-possessiveness)* Do not collect things you do not require immediately, it woud be a lack of faith in yourself or god to provide for your future. Do not crave what you do not have. The yogi makes his life as simple as possible and trains his mind not to feel the loss or the lack of anything; and develop the capacity to remain satisfied with whatever happens to him.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."
[Upanishads]
How to treat yourself? The second limb of yoga describes self-purification, observances (niyamas) recommending activities and habits for healthy living and spiritual enlightment.
1.saucha (purity)* Clean the body. Clean the mind of its disturbing emotions like hatred, prejudice, passion, anger, lust, greed, delusion and pride. Clean the intellect of impure negative thoughts. As a result, it brings benevolence and banishes mental pain and despair, you will see the vitues in others and not merely their faults.
2.santosa (contentment)* Be able to accept cicumstances. Remain tranquil in joy and sorrow. The yogi feels the lack of nothing, so he is naturally content.
3.tapas (austerity, asceticism)* Self-control of body, speach, and mind. Fasting or reduction of amount of food (sacrifice of food), philanthropic social work (sacrifice of income), silence or reduction in talk (sacrifice of speech), asceticism (sacrifice of comfort), solitude or seclusion, chastity.
4.svadhyaya (study of the self)* Introspect. Educate yourself. Read sacred scriptures.
5.isvara pranidhana (self-surrender)* Self-surrender. Accepting yoga phylosophy as a way of life.
The third limb is about yogic postures, here is a post how to start modern yoga posture training:
How to start yoga posture training at home?
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