Through yoga practice, I began to learn many things about myself that I did not know before. These new discoveries are due to the implementation of the practice of yama and niyama in my daily life. Yama means restraint or behavior to be avoided. While niyama means observance or conduct to cultivate. Yama principles focus on a person's interactions with the world, while niyama is more about self-observation and how to relate to ourselves. I find that these ten commandments of yoga have caused me to examine myself and the world around me in a way that is not negative but understanding. I think as humans we tend to fear the unknown, but the unknown only remains unknown until we actively engage in finding the truth. So we can continue through life afraid of the things we don't know about ourselves and the world around us or we can pursue the truth with enthusiasm. The yama that has greatly influenced my life so far is Ahimsa. This yama requires one to practice non-violence. One who practices Ahimsa refrains from causing distress in thought, word or deed to anyone. ...