Niyama - The second limb of a yoga practice.
The Niyamas are the second limb of the 8 limbed path to Yoga. If you are wondering what the first limb is – why not read the Yama blog post first then come back to read this one!
The Yama and Niyama are often grouped together and considered the ethical code for yogic living. The yamas as we learnt here are external guidelines, they help us consider ethical and moral actions in our communities and relationships. The niyamas guide us more on our internal journey with ourselves.
Niyama
Saucha, Santonsha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Isvara Pranidhanam.
The niyamas as listed in the yoga sutras are as follows:
Saucha -Cleanlieness/Purity
Santosha - Contentment
Tapas – Inner Fire/Determination
Svadhyaya – Self Study/ Self improvement
Isvara Pranidhanam – Devotion/Surrender to Higher Power/God
Much like the yamas these are not individual practices. They, like threads, all weave in and out of each other and build off the foundations of the yama. They guide us on our journey inwards toward ourselves.
Saucha
2.41 Moreover, one gains clarity of thought, purity of heart, cheerfulness of mind, mastery over the senses and fitness for a vision of self.
In the Yoga Sutras Patanjali has two sutras dedicated to this niyama in 2.40 and 2.41.
The first sutra (2.40) which I haven’t included here encourages us to practice non attachment to our bodies by seeing them as impure. The second part of Saucha encourages us to maintain clear and pure mind, body and surroundings and the sutra tells us the benefits of this in quite an appealing way – I know I am always looking for more clarity and cheerfulness in my mind !
The physical encourages us to keep our bodies and our homes clean, we all know what a positive impact this can have on how we feel. Whenever I am cleaning my home, I always feel I am practicing Saucha by creating a clean environment for clearer thoughts. The mental and moral aspects of saucha are more subtle and there are many ways we can practice this starting with our thoughts. Often here the mind is likened to a garden and we need to keep nurturing the things we want to grow, and constantly weeding out those we don’t.
In short summary this niyama encourages you to keep good hygiene in your external world such as your body and your home through to your internal world such as your morals and your lifestyle and how all of these affect your mental equilibrium. Our third and fouth Limbs yoga asana(postures) and pranayama (breath control) could be considered Saucha as each pose and breathing practice has a plethora of ways it works to purify the body.
Santosha
2.42 By contentment, supreme joy is gained.
Santosha is the second niyama and it is translated as contentment Here the sutra is reminding us that through practicing being content we experience supreme joy. This is not a joy that is built upon external events but one more nestled in your true nature. If you have heard of the term ‘destination happiness’ you might understand this more. Our society sets us up to always be looking to happiness in the future. The next job, promotion, holiday or big life event. When we put our happiness off into some future event, we can miss the opportunities for joy we have available to us right now. So of course, I am not saying to set aside all of your goals or ambitions. They are great – keep going towards them. But practice doing that from a place of contentment and joy for life, now. That way when you get those things you will be present and appreciate rather than already looking for happiness ahead. Remember this joy is internal so its already then within us.
In the commentary by Sri Swami Satchitananda, he illustrates the important point that contentment means being as we are without going to outside things for our happiness. He encourages us when something comes, we let it come. When it doesn’t – it doesn’t matter. Perhaps if you paid attention through the yama you can already see how the foundation of those practices in our external actions such as non-grasping/non attachment can be built on here to achieve contentment.
Kriya Yoga
The following three niyamas come together to form Kriya Yoga and I have introduced these together, as this is how Patanjali starts the second chapter or book of the Sutras. As we saw in the first chapter how it begins is important.
Sutra 2.1 Tapah Svadhyaya isvara Pranidhana Kriya Yoga
Here we see the following three niyamas followed by the words Kriya Yoga. Although the word yoga is translated as union or ‘to yoke together’ when it comes to this sutra is widely accepted that he is talking about the state of mind that comes from this union. The word Kirya is translated as action, activity or plan so here he is saying Tapas, Svadhyaya and Isvara Pranidhana are the action plan on the path towards the state of yoga.
Tapas
2.43 From austerity, on account of the removal of impurities, the perfection of the senses and body manifest.
Tapas is literally translated as ‘to burn’ or ‘to heat' and is often understood as that inner fire or self challenge. Honestly Tapas is the “Hard work of the spiritual practice.” Hence why you might hear tapas used in the midst of a yoga class as this niyama can inspire that determination and endurance to continue. If Kriya yoga is the path of action then Patanjali is saying that tapas that inner fire/determination is one of the key ingredients for going forward on that path. Tapas is often considered a practice of burning away the impurities so we can see here the link to sauca. Through tapas we can even learn to look forward to the challenges and offer thanks for them as they are giving us an opportunity to purify ourselves and steady our mind through that process. We can also use tapas to direct our energy as Tapas is something which maybe is less sweet in the moment but the longer-term goal brings the fruits.
Svadhyaya
2.44 From study [of scripture] a connection with ones deity of choice is established.
Svadhyaya means self-study. Through study of ourselves and the scriptures we learn our nature. The Yoga scriptures are often an enquiry into the mind and so essentially through svadhyaya we are studying ourselves. What triggers us, what inspires us, what patterns are we repeating that we might need to learn. Through self awareness we can move forwards more clearly towards that state of yoga or union.
Through self awareness or study we can become more aware of ourselves and take control of our actions and choices. We can notice when we are feeling stuck and repeating patterns or events in our lives that may be showing us where we need to revisit a yama or niyama to find more ease and peacefulness in our daily lives. We can direct that Tapas (inner fire) towards that Kriya Yoga (action towards the state of yoga)
Isvara Pranidhana
2.45 By total surrender to Sovereignty Samadhi is attained.
Isvara pranidhana is about cultivating a devotional attitude. Isvara is the object of that devotion.
Isavara is sometimes translated as God, Higher power or Sovereignty. Yoga does not have a God or prophet it encourages the practitioner find what works for them on their personal path to liberation. Isvara has many translations and so I have included many of these below so you can see what resonates with you.
Yoga encourages the complete devotion and trust that those guiding forces are taking us to where we need to go - hopefully this fill us with a sense of gratitude and profound feeling of connection or oneness. Whether Isvara is your chosen god, higher self or an ideal surrender/devotion to this what guides you on the path to yoga. In this sutra we see the aim of this is to take us to Samadhi. Samadhi is actually the 8th Limb of yoga, so we will cover that soon but I will introduce it here as a blissful state of meditation/enlightenment.
īśvara God; Sovereignty; guiding and protecting force; the omniscient, primordial being; the teacher of all previous teachers; the soul free from all afflictions, karmas, and fruits of karmas.
praṇidhāna complete surrender; devotion; complete recognition; embracing tightly; keeping at the centre of life
For me, personally, this is the hardest niyama to work with, but I have found a simple way to understand and feel this is from Susanna Barkatatis Book (Embrace Yoga’s Root’s) I have included some of her words on this Niyama below.
“I practice yoga as unity. I am in devotion to the divine as I see and understand it. I experience life as meaningful. I am devoted to a higher purpose, in service to spirit and live a good life for myself and others.”
-Susanna Barkatakis
In summary
Thats a lot, right? The way I like to work with the yamas and niyamas is through the svadhyaya (niyama of self awareness.) Dont over think it all but gently, when you remember, pay attention to yourself. Notice next time need some guidance in a situation you can reflect on it or view it through the lenses of yama and niyama and see if you can find a path which feels ideal or sovereign to you. As with everything in yoga its a practice, you wont always succeed, much like that tricky balance pose just because you nailed it that one time doesn’t mean you will every time but ahead we go with that tapas towards yoga.
Dont forget to check back! We have covered the first 2 limbs of yoga the next ones 2 limbs will be more familiar to you and what our practice in class looks like!
As always if you have questions - get in touch.
Resources
Embrace Yoga’s Roots - Susanna Barkataki
Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali - Commentarys by Swami Satchitananda
Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali - Commentarys by Edwin F Bryant
Embodying the Yoga Sutra- Ranju Roy and David Charleton
Yoga Sutra 2.1 Translation and Commentary (yogainternational.com)
