Following on from last week’s blog post, we again follow the guidelines of Patanjali and the sutras to achieve our maximum well-being. The second limb of Yoga, The Niyamas.
The Niyamas refer to the attitude we adopt toward ourselves. There are 5 Niyamas and they are constructive tools for cultivating happiness and self-confidence; the opportunities to practice them arise every day.
1. Self-Purification (Shaucha)
The first Niyama, means “purification; cleanliness.” It includes a number of techniques for cleansing the body as well as the mind. Outer cleanliness means keeping ourselves clean. Inner cleanliness has much to do with healthy, free functioning of our bodily organs as with clarity of our mind.
Practice Tip: Asanas / Yoga postures tones the entire body and removes toxins. Pranayama (breathing techniques) cleanses our lungs, oxygenates our blood and purifies our nerves. More important than the cleansing of the body is the cleansing of the mind and disturbing emotions such as hatred, greed anger, delusion, pride, greed. As the body becomes purified you will experience radiant health; as the mind becomes purified you will feel increasingly clear, friendly, and cheerful.
Question: Do you select wisely from the many choices of food, emotions, media and thoughts waiting to come into your body and mind?
2. Contentment (Santosha)
Contentment as well as “delight, happiness, joy.” It comes from an experience of acceptance—of life, of ourselves, and of whatever life has brought us. When we are content, we are happy. We accept that there is a purpose for everything, in Yoga it is called Karma.
Practice Tip: Let go of the past. Free your mind of expectations. Then you will see life in a larger context and be able to ride its ups and downs with equanimity. keeping a positive attitude in difficult times. The more we choose contentment, the more we are able to grow.
How do you achieve contentment when inwardly you are disappointed and striving for change and improvement? Create it. Try to keep in mind the yogic premise that whatever you have in the present moment is enough. Once you do this, happiness will find an enduring place in your life; whatever aspirations you have for the future will simply add to your joy.
Question: Do you find yourself wanting material things and feel that you are not getting enough? Find it hard to let go of the past and past hurts?
3. Self-Discipline (Tapas)
The literal definition of tapas is “heat,” in this case the heat that builds during periods of determined effort such as your yoga practice. Tapas accompanies any discipline that is willingly and gladly accepted to bring about a change of some kind—whether it be improved health, a new habit, better concentration, or a different direction in life. Tapas focuses energy, creates fervour, and increases strength and confidence. The practice of Yoga is a form of tapas for the body; meditation is a tapa that purifies and focuses the mind.
Practice Tip: Remember that tapas can go hand in hand with any task—even something as mundane as cleaning the bathroom floor. Whenever we perform our actions with full determination and effort, they are performed with tapas.
Question: Do you choose to make healthy changes in your life and take small steps to replace habits that are unproductive?
4. Self-Study (Svadhyaya)
Svadhyaya means, literally, “to recollect (to remember, to contemplate, to meditate on) the Self.” It is the effort to know the Self that shines as the innermost core of your being.
Practice Tip: Begin with the study of writings that inspire you. Then begin to apply svadhyaya into your daily life by practicing the yamas and niyamas, yoga asanas, breath awareness, and meditation. and learn to recognize when you are acting in harmony with your goals and when you are unconsciously acting against them.
Question: Can you learn to recognize when you are acting in harmony with your goals and when you are unconsciously acting against them?
5. Self Surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana)
The last and most important of the Niyamas, and perhaps the most difficult for us to embrace. This Niyama is not a process of defeat or of mindlessly submitting to another’s will. It is the act of giving ourselves to a higher purpose. Our highest principal or our religion.
Practice Tip: When you practice meditation, observe the thoughts and desires that distract your concentration, and instead, rest your attention in the centre of your being and sense the presence of inner stillness.
Written by Daphne Bath and published on Monday 12th April 2021 at 17:53
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