08/31/2026
Asteya is the third Yama in the Yoga Sutras and refers to “non-stealing.” Non-stealing may be obvious at first but taken to deeper levels this practice means to neither take, covet or hoard that which is not freely given. Asteya is a natural extension of finding contentment with where we are.
There are many moments in life where we may find ourselves desiring that which is outside of our needs or does not belong to us. Desire is a sticky feeling that can lead to coveting, jealousy, envy and unnecessary aggression. Desire stems from many roots: sometimes we feel discontented with our current situation in life; we may feel challenged by an excessive load of stressors and struggles; we may perceive that we do not have what it takes to meet expectations. No matter the root cause, desire becomes an endless cycle. As we feed one another tends to grow. Like the mythical hydra, we cannot satisfy the want if we cannot eliminate the source root; one desire grows into two, and four and six, constantly wanting or needing more.
If we find ourselves wishing that we had another individual’s talent, for example, when untended the wishing leads to jealousy and envy. These negative thoughts tend to warp our perceptions and allow us to manipulate how we feel about that person or even how we feel about ourselves. Rather than appreciating and savoring our own talents, we my find ourselves hyper-focusing on what is not our own.
At it’s foundation, Asteya reminds us to find contentment with where we are at right now. To practice Yoga is to be in the now, to bring full awareness to the present, and to find space for acceptance. When we find more appreciation and peace with our present self and time, we find ourselves desiring less, knowing that we need not look outside of what is already here to seek happiness.
Join us on the mat this week to practice Asteya!