Yama – Yoga Sutras II.30 & II.38
trans. chastity, impeccable behaviour, conduct mindful of ultimate reality
II.38 “The chaste acquire vitality” (Hartranft)
I have long had a sense of curiosity and slight unease about translating this sutra as ‘chastity’ and the succeeding sutra as ‘the chaste acquire vitality’.
The unease begins with a recognition that its inclusion within the yamas makes it a central building block in the practice of classical yoga as described by Patanjali. That being so, translating it as chastity implies that a full engagement with yoga is not possible within the context of a sexual relationship.