Sometimes during conversations I preclude sentences with, "I know it's not very yogic of me but..." and then I will launch into a tirade about how ridiculous the mother at the park looked in her short red skirt, white knee socks and brown, suede heels with sequins (I'm serious).

'Yogic' behaviour subscribes to yoga's philosophical underpinnings, namely Patanjali's Eight Limbs:

1. Yama- universal codes of conduct
2. Niyama- individual observations
3. Asana- physical postures
4. Pranayama- breathing techniques
5. Pratyahara- sense withdrawal
6. Dharana- concentration
7. Dyhana- meditation
8. Samadhi- eternal bliss

The first two Limbs are concerned with moral and ethical observations and much like Christianity's 10 Commandments, they are concerned with being 'good'. The reward for following them is eternal bliss, samadhi, freedom from worldly constraints and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. You know, nirvana.

But how achievable are Patanjali's 2500-year-old Yamas and Niyamas today? Let's have a look at the five Yamas and see how we stack up.

Yamas

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence towards all living things)
Ahimsa is about loving-kindness but is it realistic to never say or think anything violent? Can you practice Ahimsa when you are on hold with Optus and you are trying to communicate with that electronic woman whose joy-level seems to increase at the same rate as your frustration-level? Can you continue practicing Ahimsa even when you've been on hold for 17minutes and 12seconds and the recorded message keeps repeating how much your custom is valued? What about when you get disconnected after waiting 23minutes and 49seconds and you have to start with happy-electronic woman all over again? This is probably a really good test of your ability to practice non-violence when what you really want to do instead is beat the handset down on the breakfast bench until the plastic cracks and the screen blisters.

2. Satya (Truthfulness in thought, word, deed)
When was the last time you lied? Can we practice Satya completely while still practicing loving-kindness? How many times has someone asked how you are and you have replied, ''Good thanks!'' when you look as though you haven't slept for a week? And is saying nothing at all the same as lying?

3. Asteya (Non-stealing)
As well as the literal meaning of Asteya, it also includes misappropriation, breach of trust and misuse.

4. Brahamacharya (Continence/Chastity)
No need to don robes or a habit just yet; Brahamacharya is about healthy, positive relationships, seeking divinity and truth and not being distracted from your purpose by sensual pleasures.

5. Aparigraha- (Non-coveting)
In a world where more is more and excessive consumption is the norm, Aparigraha is the Yama I struggle with most. I don't eat animals, I promote honesty to my daughter and young students, I don't take what's not mine and I'm on a quest for truth but Aparigraha is tough for me. Why? Because I like beautiful things and being surrounded by them makes me feel good. I like expensive clothes, I think tea tastes better in fine china and water from a heavy crystal jug, I want an expansive home library and art on the walls and I want shoes, lots and lots of pairs of shoes. And I'm greedy for knowledge too.

I'm obviously a sadhaka in progress. What about you? How often do you think about Yamas and how important are they to your yoga journey?