~ by Pilar Salazar
The 8 Limbs of Ashtanga The Niyamas
The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is the “Niyamas”; they represent guidelines to be aware of in our daily lives.
The first one is “Sauca”, which means purity and cleanliness inside and out; it invites us to keep our internal organs healthy, remove toxins from our bodies, and calm our nervous system through yoga postures and exercise. It also involves cleaning our minds from disturbing emotions, such hatred and anger.
The second, “Santosha”, is about learning to be content with what we have, be at peace with our lives, and see difficulties as a process of growth.
Then we have “Tapas”, which refers to a disciplined use of our physical, mental, and emotional energy.
Literally, it means “to heat up the body”, and by doing so, cleanse it. Another form of “Tapas” is also paying attention to our eating habits, our body posture, breathing patterns, how much we talk, or what we say.
“Svadhaya” means self-study. It encourages us to pay attention to what is happening inside instead of outside, to observe how we react, and then learn from it. It is a good reminder of how we shouldn’t judge other people, since everyone has an inner battle to fight.
The last one, “Isvarapranidhana”, refers to the spiritual aspect of life. It requires us to set aside some time daily to acknowledge that there is a force, larger than us, guiding our path. Spending time alone in nature is a great way to connect with this “Niyama”.
So, can we change the world? Maybe not. But can we change ourselves to make this a better world? Definitely yes! And to apply the “Yamas” and “Niyamas” is a good way to start.
INFO: Pilar Salazar – http://www.bodhisurfschool.com/
