Yoga is practiced on and off the mat. It is a guide to living your most authentic life.
Long after my yoga teacher training it struck me that the Yoga Sutras, which we were instructed from, are the instruction manual to life everyone is always looking for. Clear, relatable directions that, when adhered to, pretty much guarantee you will manifest the life you want.
As with all sacred texts there are interpretations to be had so for now we’re sticking to the basic principles and understandings of these teachings to maintain clarity of the messages.
The first two branches of the Eight Limbs of Yoga as described by Patanjali in his Sutras, written around 400BC, are the yamas and niyamas.
As we continue to examine the ancient teachings of yoga from the Yoga Sutras, I’ll be sharing how to apply the second limb of yoga, the niyamas (observances), to your own life.
You can read all about the yamas (restraints) in Yoga for Your Heart and Soul Part 1: The Yamas post last month.
SAUCHA (Cleanliness)
Mantra – I cleanse away the barriers to my true self
Yoga Posture – legs up the wall or waterfall (viparita karani)
Saucha can be translated as ‘cleanliness’, but it doesn’t just mean physical cleanliness.
Cultivating saucha can also help you recognize the habits you’ve picked over your life that no longer serve you and are therefore cluttering your life.
Cleansing of the body and the mind is the foundation for physical, mental, spiritual and environmental health.
When you hear me talk about mind, body, soul, and space I’m referring to the full integration of pure health.
Small habits you can begin with to embrace saucha might be washing your face every morning and evening. Perhaps attending to your gut health so you have daily healthy bowel movements. You could also clean out your car (that’s my albatross), create routines to maintain tidiness in your home, or even something as simple as wiping down your yoga mat at the end of each practice.
Take a moment to consider what cleanliness means to you when you think about your own mind, body, soul, and space.
SANTOSHA (Contentment)
Mantra – Om shanti, shanti, shanti (peace mantra) or I see the wisdom that is born of peace
Yoga Posture – camel pose (ustrasana)
Santosha encourages us to accept and appreciate what we have and what we are, right now. And from there we can move forward in our life with greater ease.
I cannot tell you how often clients ask me how to be happy. I wish I had a one and done answer for them, but the reality is that it is the acceptance of what is that leads to contentment with life, and it is contentment that opens us to happiness.
Let go of the past. Do not condemn yourself for not being wiser, wealthier, or more successful than you are.
Free your mind of expectations.
You may now be asking, “Okay, Kate, but how do I accept the things I don’t like? Am I never going to get to feel contentment?”
That will be up to you. It can be difficult to achieve contentment when inwardly you are disappointed in what is and who you are.
Create contentment through trust in the idea that whatever you have in the present moment is enough. Once you do this, happiness will find an enduring place in your life.
TAPAS (Discipline)
Mantra – I invite the fire of transformation
Yoga Posture – plank pose (phalakasana)
This niyama helps us cultivate a sense of self discipline, passion and courage. Essentially it is the fiery passion that feeds our sense of purpose.
The literal definition of tapas is “heat,” in this case it is the heat that builds during periods of determined effort. Tapas accompanies any discipline that is willingly and gladly accepted in order to bring about a change.
Perhaps the change you seek is improved health, a new habit, better concentration, or a different direction in life.
Tapas focuses energy, creates fervor, and increases strength and confidence to help you achieve your goals.
Remember that tapas goes hand-in-hand with any task—even something as mundane as cleaning the bathroom floor. Perform your actions with full determination and effort, and they will net the life of purpose you seek.
As you work with tapas to choose to make healthy changes in your life, focus on only one or two changes at a time.
Take small steps that can be accomplished successfully, and find replacements for habits that are unproductive. This fire does not have to burn down the house.
*Side note: I don’t consider myself to be very fiery (others may disagree), but I do love a good plank (your tapas yoga posture). Every variation. So, if you ever ask me what exercise I recommend, get ready for me to tell you some sort of plank!
SVADHYAYA (Self-study)
Mantra – I set myself free from self-judgement
Yoga Posture – easy seated pose (sukhasana)
Svadhyaya means “to recollect (to remember, to contemplate, to meditate on) the Self.”
Practicing self-reflection, observation and study of the self makes us more aware of the things we do that harm us, as well as the things that serve us, bringing us into closer contact with our true self.
Svadhyaya also encourages us to further educate ourselves in whatever inspires and fascinates us, deepening our own knowledge.
Begin with the study of writings that inspire you. Maybe it’s the biography of someone you admire or are curious about. Maybe it’s self-help like You Are a Badass or Atomic Habits, or maybe you’re ready to start tackling your home with books like Simply Spaced or Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home.
Podcasts and blogs are great options for learning and self-study, too. Some of my favorite podcasts are: Rogue and Reasoned, Mama Minimalist, UnF*ck Your Brain, Soulfilled Sisterhood, Loud whisper Reignite Your Voice, and Ashes to Wings (look for interviews with yours truly on those last two!)
And, of course the best blog to read is this one right here!
Then begin to apply svadhyaya in your daily life. Learn to recognize when you are working toward your goals and when you are working away from them.
Choose wisely.
ISHVARA PRADIHANA (Surrender to the Divine)
Mantra – I willingly surrender myself to the divine
Yoga Posture – upward facing dog (urdhva mukha svanasana)
Ishvara pranidhana may be translated as “trustful surrender to God/A higher power/the divine/the universe,”. This niyama is the act of giving yourself to a higher purpose.
It can also be interpreted as simply letting go of our expectations.
Do your best, be authentic and life live fully. Let go of the stories that hold you back.
Cultivating ishvara pradihana in your life will ease worry and stressful thoughts, and offers you a chance to feel empowered in daily life.
When in a quiet moment, or even in moments when you need internal quiet, take time to observe the thoughts and desires that distract your concentration. Rest your attention in the center of your being.
With practice you may be able to transcend the limitations of your attachments and sense the presence of inner stillness.
In whatever form that experience takes, it will guide you toward wholeness and the fulfillment of your personal quest.
LIVING THE NIYAMAS
Cleanliness, Contentment, Discipline, Self-study, and Surrender to a higher purpose. Take these principles into your interactions with yourself and the world.
It takes work, commitment and a belief that you deserve these things. It requires that you trust yourself to take on these challenges and practice them until they are no longer challenges, but a way of living.
As you give yourself the gift of committing to your own care you will gain strength and confidence. You have the ability to create the life you want.
If you do hit stumbling blocks that cause you to feel overwhelmed, confused or defeated, contact me to begin your coaching journey. Together we will create the space for you to love yourself.