Asteya

Asteya, the practice of non-stealing, invites us to look beyond possessions and explore the subtle ways we take or grasp for more—more time, energy, attention, or validation. It’s a call to live from gratitude and trust that we already have enough. These journal prompts are meant to help you reflect on where you might cultivate greater balance, generosity, and ease in your life.

1. In what ways do I take more than I need—of time, attention, or energy—from myself or others?

   
   

2. How does comparison or envy show up in my life, and how might it lead me away from gratitude?

   
   

3. Where in my life do I feel a sense of lack, and how does that influence my choices or behaviors?

   
   

4. Have I ever stolen from my own potential—by holding back, doubting, or playing small?

   
   

5. What would my life look like if I trusted that I already have enough?

   
   

6. What am I most grateful for right now?

   
   

7. When do I feel most content and “enough”?

   
   

8. How can I practice generosity—of spirit, time, or kindness—this week?

   
   

9. What small act helps me share abundance with others?

   
   

10. How does practicing non-stealing bring more ease or joy into my day?

Applying Asteya on the mat means practicing with honesty, balance, and respect for our own energy and limits. It’s about not taking more than what’s being offered in the moment—from our bodies, our instructors , or the practice itself.

We might notice Asteya in action when w choose rest instead of pushing through fatigue, or when we resist comparing our pose to someone else’s. It’s also present when we honor the time given for stillness and breath instead of rushing ahead. By letting go of the urge to achieve or grasp for “more,” we open space for contentment and presence. In this way, the mat becomes a place to practice enoughness—a reminder that what we give and what we receive are already perfectly balanced.

1. When do I tend to push past my body’s limits in yoga, and what am I hoping to gain in those moments?

   
   

2. How does it feel when I allow myself to rest or modify a pose instead of striving for the “full expression”?

   
   

3. In what ways might I compare myself to others in class, and how could I shift that energy toward appreciation or gratitude?

   
   

4. What does “enough” feel like in my body during practice?

   
   

5. How can I practice generosity toward myself in each pose—through breath, patience, or compassion?

   
   

6. What happens when I release the need to perform or achieve on the mat?

   
   

7. How does it feel when I let go of striving and simply move with my breath?