Ethical AI in Yoga: Lessons From Yama and Niyama

Singh, Sandeep Kumar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1741-7254, Tomar, Ravi and Haque, Shafiul (2026) Ethical AI in Yoga: Lessons From Yama and Niyama. In: AI in Yoga Studies. IGI Global Scientific Publishing, Hershey. pp. 63-90. ISBN 9798260024652 Available at: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-2600-2463-8.ch003

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

The chapter addresses the ethical vacuum in the development of artificial intelligence for yoga. The chapter identifies that many wellness technologies are reducing the holistic practice of yoga to physical performance alone and as such, create significant risks of algorithmic harm, data exploitation and user dependency. The author suggests that the ten foundational principles of ethics by Patañjali's Yoga Sutras (the five yamas – social restraints & the five niyamas – personal observances) provide a framework for responsible innovation in AI. The author outlines the mapping of each principle of the five yamas to the five niyamas to the challenges and solutions of AI design, including ahimsa (non-harming) to svadhyaya (self-reflection). Through this process, the author proposes a new paradigm of “Sattvic Technology,” which is designed to develop AI systems that support inner inquiry and holistic well-being, rather than simply quantify and gamify the practice of yoga.

Item Type: Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords: AI systems | Algorithmics | Physical performance | Self reflection | Well being | Wellness technologies
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Health (Social sciences)
Depositing User: Mr. Syed Anas Ali
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2026 08:49
Last Modified: 04 Aug 2026 08:49
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-2600-2463-8.ch003
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/12130

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item