🙏 ✨It is a common misconception that yoga is an exercise practice. In reality, it is an 8 step process towards reaching spiritual enlightenment and bliss in life. The first step includes 5 elements which refer to self-regulating behaviors that involve our interactions with other people and the world at large. ✨ Yama. The 5 elements of yama highlight the external dimension of reaching spiritual enlightenment. The fourth yama is brahmacharya (or brahmacarya): conservation of vital energy. Many scriptures and translations will tell you about how brahmacharya relates to not expelling our energy through sexual desires, thoughts, or actions. Our bodily fluids are a representation of our energy. So, if we tend to release them carelessly, we are depleting our sources. But, there are so many other ways that we can waste our energy. For example, we can waste precious energy just by worrying. How much of your time do you waste on worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet, and probably will not happen? How many times have you wasted energy pretending to be someone you are not? How much time is used thinking negative thoughts about yourself? How much do you spend on thoughts that are just not worth your time? As you can see, there is more than one way to lose energy. What you think, you attract. Brahmacharya is about turning this wasted energy, this pent up energy, into creative energy, using it to fuel you in your goals, rather than to bring you into a loop of thoughts that are not going to lead you anywhere. So, find a way to unplug from these external desires and channel all of your energy within; use this energy to empower yourself and chase after your goals. Encourage the right use of energy; redirect it into a positive channel. Become aware of how you spend your energy daily. And remember, even spending time on social media is wasting your energy! 🙏 #namaskartoyou #brahmacharya #yogasutras #8limbpath #brahmacarya #energy #conserve #empower #focus #discipline #mindset #wellness #health #wellbeing #yoga #meditation #concentration #awareness