The second limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga system contains the five internal practices of Niyama (observance). These practices extend the ethical codes of conduct provided in his first limb, the yamas, to the practicing yogi’s internal environment of body, mind, and spirit. The practice of Niyama helps us maintain a positive environment in which to thrive and gives us the self-discipline, humility, and inner-strength necessary to progress along the path of yoga.
Niyamas
Saucha: cleanliness/purification ~The yogis discovered that impurities in both our external environment and our internal body adversely affect our state of mind, and prevent the attainment of real wisdom and spiritual liberation. The practices of asana, pranayama, and meditation cleanse and purify the body and mind, as well as strengthening their capacity to maintain a pure state of being.
Santosha: contentment ~The yogis tell us that when we are perfectly content with all that life gives us, then we attain true joy and happiness. It is easy for the mind to become fooled into thinking that we can attain lasting happiness through the possession of objects and goods.
Tapas: Translate to heat, spiritual austerities, self-discipline and inner fire. Through Tāpas, mastery of the body, mind and senses can be achieved. Think of Tāpas as a flame inside of you, which motivates you and keeps you on track with what is really important in life. Without that discipline, determination and inner fire, we’d be unlikely to look at the finer practices of yoga, that open us to greater oneness and bring inner peace.
Svadhyaya: self-study ~ This process of getting to know your psychic, emotional, and soul interior. When we get to know our small self – the self of our personality, our ego, and our identity – we learn the many habits, behaviors, and ways of relating to the world that have been conditioned by our experiences.
Isvara prandihana: surrender to the divine ~There have been centuries of debate among scholars about what exactly Patanjali meant by Ishvara. This Sanskrit word literally translates as Lord, but other interpretations include a personal god, the true Self, pure awareness, pure consciousness or unchanging reality.“The Lord is not a creator like the Christian God, nor the kind of Absolute taught in the Upanishads or the scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism.”“In essence, cultivating surrender and devotion replaces self preoccupation with a sense of our connection that sustains the entire universe. A sense of devotion and surrender opens us to experiences of being nurtured. We also learn that we have the capacity to become instruments of higherconsciousness , serving and giving what we can to help others in their own awakening.” – Swami Ajaya, Western born author and psychologist.Translated into modern day lives, Ishvara pranidhana shifts our perspective from the obsession with I and mine to an opener, more loving and a connected view of the world.
As I breathe and move through the second limb of yoga, the niyamas as a daily practice I move my body daily. Through asana practice (even if it is for 5-10 mins), meditation, breath work and taking Izzy out for run/sniff on the trails amongst the trees near the ocean. Cleansing (saucha) my lungs, moving fresh oxygenated blood through the system, pumping the lymph system, lubricating the joints.
While out on our run/sniff I enjoy looking around looking closely how nature changes daily, grateful for everyday, (santosha) where we are, how far I’ve come and how far I have to go. Thankful for all of the people who have been in and out of my life shaping me who I am today (svadhyaya). It’s because of these people; the people who have supported me, challenged me, pushed me, had faith in me where I didn’t is what keeps me pushing to be the best version I can be (tapas). To continue the ripple effect of love, acceptance, health and happiness.
I am not proud of all of the paths I have chosen along the way. However, with those harder lessons they have been the most powerful, and life changing. The kind that keep me on the path of purity. Surrendering to a higher power, to universe. I have struggled with this one over the years, as I learn and grow I have a better understanding and relationship with a higher power (isvara pranidhana) to help guide me as I move along the path of the 8 limbs of yoga .
Have you heard of the 8 Limbs of Yoga before? Which one resonates with you the most? I always love to hear from you. Drop your comments below.
Looking to take a deeper dive? Join the Maxwellness Monthly Membership as we dive deeper each month into each limb tying it all together with asana, meditation, breathwork, moon cycles, journaling as a community sharing ideas and philosophy. Learn more about Maxwellness Monthly Membership here.
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