The word Yama literally means control. Thus the principle which requires an individual to control some activity or behaviour is called Yama without which moral behavior is not possible.
Yoga states these Yamas or abstinences as:

• Ahimsa or non-violence is to avoid causing pain or hurting any living being mentally, verbally or physically (manasa, vacha, karmana).

• The practice of ahimsa generates a broad based feeling of love and brotherhood, which purifies the mental being, the mind.

• Avoiding the feeling of hatred for an individual is also a kind of ahimsa or non-violence.

• One who practices non-violence, lives in a tension free atmosphere away from stress, thus enjoying peace of mind.

• Gautam Buddha,  the founder of Buddhism was the first to follow the principle of Ahimsa.  

• Raja Asoka also followed the path of Ahimsa. 

• Mahatma Gandhi adopted only Satya and Ahimsa as the foundation of his philosophy. Satyagraha was developed by Mahatma Gandhi as the tools of social transformation and development in Indian National contexts. Mahatma Gandhi also laid great emphasis on truth and adopted it as the basic foundation of his actions. 

• In today's scenario of violence, nothing can be more important than non-violence.

• The entire world is becoming one nuclear bomb ready for explosion.

• Thus the valuable teachings of Ahimsa propels us to follow the path of non-violence.

• Indirectly implies the observance of truthfulness i.e. always make it a point to speak the truth, irrespective of pain or loss it may bring about.

• Make truth the essence of your life, you will soon find that truth no longer remains a rule but becomes a habit.

• On revealing the truth there is no adverse effect on our heart.

• However, when we lie, our heart rates become irregular and its palpitations increase.

• This increases the blood pressure, thus putting the extra burden on the heart.

• This compels the mind to accept a defense mechanism, which further inhibits the normal functioning of the heart.

• Truth is the foundation of life. Hence it should become a habit with us.

• In the end it is truth that triumphs.

• Truthfulness is the key to both mental and physical health. 

• It is only after we have spoken the truth that we can sleep peacefully.

• It is only in the presence of truthfulness that our self-conscious can rest in peace. 

• It broadly means non-appropriation i.e. restrain from appropriating the property of other person for personal use.

• This not only includes physical stealing but refers to misappropriation of a property in any way (physical or mental) and at all times.

• Asteya is important not only as a means of purification of mind but also as a great medium for reducing social tension.

• It refers to the negation of the tendency of utilizing wealth, belonging or thoughts of others in one's own interest or benefit.

• This is essentially the practice of non-stealing in terms of money material or even thoughts and ideas.

• The practice of Asteya not only brings about individual purity of the mind, but also reduces the amount of social tension and conflicts which may arise due to stealing tendencies.

• It refers to the negation of the tendency of utilizing the wealth, belonging or thoughts of others in one's own interest or benefit.

• Asteya is important not only as a means of purification of mind but also as a great medium for reducing social tension.

• The practice of Asteya not only brings about individual purity of the mind, but also reduces the amount of social tension and conflicts, which may arise due to stealing tendencies.

• Brahmacharya is not only restraining from sexual activity. However, observance of celibacy is an important aspect of Brahmacharya as it purifies the body and helps in conserving the energy and keeps a person physically and mentally fit. Besides it also plays a significant role in the purification of mind.

• Brahmacharya means not to deviate from one's own Svadharma or original nature.

• It is not only abstinance from sexual pleasure, although the same is an important aspect of Brahmacharya as it helps an aspirant to progress efficiently on the path of yoga.

Brahmacharya is not only restraining from sexual activity. However, observance of celibacy is an important aspect of Brahmacharya as it purifies the body and helps in conserving the energy and keeps a person physically and mentally fit besides playing a significant role in the purification of mind.

• The tendency of lustfully hoarding wealth and consumable materials in one's own selfish interest is called Parigraha and Aparigraha means non-possessiveness.

• The most important factor which keeps the common man away from gaining the ultimate truth is possession.

• Thus through the practice of yoga, one can put limits on these instincts.

• The tendency of possessiveness leads to undesired mental fluctuations. Besides its spiritual role, the principle of non-possession has a great potential which may help the society to grow more and more classless and free from socio-economic conflicts. Such spiritual communalism without malice and hatred against anyone could be a great boon to the modern society.

• The Sarvodaya movement, specially its Bhudana aspect by Vinobha Bhave is actually based on the philosophy of Aparigraha which was emphasized by Mahatma Gandhi as an advocacy for minimizing the individual requirements.

• The tendency of lustfully hoarding wealth and consumable materials in ones own selfish interest is called Parigraha and Aparigraha means non-possiveness.

• Besides its spiritual role, the principle of non-possession has a great potential which may help the society to grow more and more classless and free from socio-economic conflict.

• Such an spiritual communalism without malice and hatred against anyone could be a great boon to the modern society .