What a shame, Swami. A beautiful complexion, sweet voice, and lustrous eyes? And now that I'm looking good, I have to stay celibate...where is the justice in that?!?
I kid, I kid. Brahmacharya is important stuff for the yogi practicing Raja Yoga. Brahmacharya is the 4th moral restraint in Patanjali's 8-limbed path of yoga. It's sort of like an addendum to the plan. You've gotta follow these 8 limbs, but the first two limbs each have 5 parts/restraints/observances. You thought you were in for 8 paths, but really, there are 16 things you have to think about.
The idea behind Brahmacharya is not to engage in any activity that is purely for pleasure. Live in moderation - don't be lazy, don't engage in your bad habits, don't excessively eat or drink, and of course, don't waste your energy on sex. Basically, you're following these 8-limbs, and it's going to take all of your energy to do that with the proper devotion, so don't go wasting your energy on lustful things.
Brahmacharya used to be a proper life-stage, like adolescence; a time period where you were devoted to learning and studying with your guru, and you didn't have time for frivolous things like lust and excess. Not a bad plan; as an 8th grade teacher, I think that adolescents could benefit from enjoying some brahmacharya. Perhaps we'd have less "Teen Mom" and a lot more "Honor Roll Report Cards". Right? Somewhere along the way, this idea has gone by the wayside, and nowadays, celibacy seems to be practiced only by select, devout few.
As far as I'm concerned, I think I am capable of keeping calm and enjoying Brahmacharya while I'm studying the 8-limbed path. It lends a bit of seriousness and authenticity to what I'm doing. I can always benefit from augmented memory, vigor and vitality. In this season of germ-infested clouds of viruses whirling around us, I probably need extra strength and fortitude. It can't hurt to give up some of life's little luxuries...It's only a week, right?
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