Niyamas – Personal Observances
The yoga tree has eight limbs or principles. As we climb the tree, applying these principles to our lives, we will grow spiritually, mentally, physically, and into deeper relationship with ourselves, others, and God. Niyama is the second limb of the yoga tree and has 5 branches just like the first limb. The first limb is Yama, which means ‘restraint and control’ with its focus being on outward observances – how we react toward and treat others. In contrast to Yama, the second limb, Niyama, makes us go deeper; these five observances are deeply personal and benefit us spiritually.
The 5 Niyamas are a set of ethical principles that when applied to our lives guide our internal behavior and thought patterns.
Saucha – Purity/Cleanliness/Wholeness
Santosha – Contentment/Satisfaction
Tapas – Self-discipline/Elimination
Svadhyaya – Study of Scripture
Iswara Pranidhana – Surrender to God
Applying These Principles To Your Everyday Life Will Lead To A More Fulfilling Spiritual Life.
It’s important to understand that we are so much more than bodies – we are not just an outer shell of a person but we are complex spiritual beings created by a mighty, intelligent, and powerful Creator. Without practicing Niyama we will never have a relationship with that Creator. We will always be just an empty shell of a being trying to fill ourselves with things that will fade and fall away. Let’s look at each of these Niyamas a little deeper . . .
Saucha – Purifying the Body and Mind
Saucha is translated as “purity”, “cleanliness”, and “wholeness”, it refers to the cleanliness, wholeness, and purity of body, heart, and mind. Through the practice of Saucha we are to be aware of cleanliness around us and in our bodies; hygiene and healthy habits are important. Keeping a clean environment is good for our physical and mental well-being. Strengthening the body through exercise and eating clean, nutritious foods are essential components of a whole life.
Saucha goes so much deeper than physical cleanliness, we must be even more concerned with the cleanliness within ourselves, the fountain that flows from within the depths of who we really are; the purity of our mind and heart. Take inventory of your thought life and examine the true intentions of your mind and heart as you make decisions. Keeping yourself pure physically and mentally feeds your spirit and leads to daily victories!
Santosha – Cultivating Contentment
Santosha is derived from the Sanskrit words sam and Tosha. Sam means “completely” or “altogether” and Tosha means “contentment” or “acceptance”. It is important to strive for complete contentment and to be satisfied and grateful for what we do have because comparison is the thief of joy. When we are focused on what we don’t have or desiring the things others have we can’t see all the blessings that we have. This causes us to become empty on the inside because our focus is on external things and we are missing the beauty that can only come from a life of gratitude within ourselves. The truth is that discontentment can never be satisfied, it always wants more. Whereas cultivating a life of Santosha brings inner peace and joy that cannot be purchased or stolen!
Tapas – Cultivating Discipline
Tapas is derived from the Sanskrit word Tap meaning “to burn”, and translated as “a fiery discipline”. Burning away those things in our lives that are not beneficial or good. BKS Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga, once said, “A life without tapas is like a heart without love.” Just like a heart cannot be fruitful without love, our lives cannot be fruitful unless we eliminate the unhealthy things in it.
Having that “fiery discipline” in our lives means that we are living our lives intentionally towards the ultimate goal of a meaningful and purposeful life. A life that is striving to find a deep, intimate union with God. Tapas can help us overcome challenges and build resilience. When we refuse to discipline ourselves and remove the things that are standing in the way we will never accomplish real growth.
One way to apply Tapas is to discipline your body for health – a healthy body leads to a healthy mind. If you know your health is standing in your way then discipline your body and remove those things that are holding you back. Other examples would be to stay away from people who are negative influences, stop going to the places that cause you to get off the path you’ve set yourself on, and remove such things as alcohol or substances that are standing in the way of living a fulfilling life!
Svadhyaya – Self-Study and Reflection
Svadhyaya is a Sanskrit term which means self-study especially the recitation and reading of sacred texts. It is always having a teachable spirit, and always being a student. This principle covers the idea of introspection as well – the contemplation of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and sensations; self-examination.
Studying scripture is the the ultimate self-study because scripture causes us to look within ourselves, to examine ourselves in a way that nothing else does. As a Christian who practices yoga, this would refer to studying the Bible. When I read the Bible, it is a sacred text – a love letter from God to me, an instruction manual for my life from the One who created all things! So studying scripture is the ultimate introspection because it is the study of Truth and applying that Truth to my life.
To accomplish this we must be completely honest with ourselves and take time to reflect on our thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Through this practice, we aren’t just learning about who we are but we are discovering who God is and how we fit into His great plan!
Iswara Pranidhana – Surrendering to God
In Sanskrit, Iswara means God and Pranidhana means total surrender or submission. This principle is not only accepting that we are not in control of our lives but admitting that there is a God who is in control, who is stronger, smarter, and mightier, and then coming into complete surrender to Him.
My husband who found sobriety in the rooms of AA said that this step (the second step in the 12 Steps of AA) – admitting that there is a “Higher Power”, is the step that truly changed his life forever. We can’t find our purpose if we aren’t willing to admit that God exists. How can we live a fulfilling life if we never stop to submit to the One who gave us life in the first place? We will never have all the answers in this life but someone does have all the answers and that someone is our Creator.
Iswara Pranidhana is bowing down – maybe in child’s pose, or forward fold, or down on your knees, and simply saying, “I surrender. Show me who You are so that I may serve You with my life.” Letting go of control and our attachments to this world is the key to finding peace in difficult situations because we can turn it all over to God who is more than able to handle any situation for us!
Living Niyama
Living out these principles of Niyama transforms our lives extraordinarily! We clean up ourselves, inside and out with Saucha. We begin to live with gratitude being content in all circumstance with Santosha. Eliminating the things that aren’t serving us anymore with Tapas. Spending time in scripture and self-reflection with Svadhyaya. And, most importantly, turning our lives over in submission to God – Iswara Pranidhana. Then we begin to live fulfilling lives as rivers of living water flow from within us. Our happiness and joy won’t be determined by outside circumstances, we will have a relationship with our Creator, and our eyes opened to a life we never could have imagined for ourselves.
I encourage each of you to reflect on how you can incorporate these principles into your everyday lives and watch and see God move!
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