And How Can We Incorporate Them Into Our Practice?

Niyama is Sanskrit for “rules, guidelines, or observances.”

learning out the Niyamas help us to live with authenticity and guide us live a more mindful, purposeful life. They are seen in yoga as ‘moral guidelines that support us to how to behave inwardly towards ourselves. The Niyamas are the second limb, as described in the ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’.

Where to begin? Have a look below and just choose one that resonates with you. The use the suggestions to begin to incorporate this Niyama into your life.

• Saucha = Cleanliness

• Santosha = Contentment

• Tapas = Self Discipline

• Svadhyaya = Self Study

• Isvara-pranidhana = Surrender

Saucha

This can refer to the physical cleanliness of our environment or self. For example, de-cluttering our home space and maintaining a healthy diet that does not cause harm to other living beings. But this also refers to having a clean mind. We live exceptionally busy lives and integrate huge amounts of information into our headspace every day. By working on Saucha we become more aware of the information we absorb and how much time to dedicate to consuming information that doesn’t serve us. Try to be selective and keep your mind free from chaos. Finally, this can also refer to the humans in our life. Do the people you spend the most time with allow you to be completely yourself? do they make you feel ALIVE when you spend time with them? Clear our toxic people or set clear boundaries to protect yourself.

Santosha

Simply put? Finding happiness inside ourselves by being present and showing up fully in our lives. Whatever is happening, accept it, breathe it in and live fully in that moment. The only moment that life truly exists. Because in each of these moments - you will find contentment. Do not miss them. A good place to start to cultivate Santosha is to begin a gratitude journal, you’ll be surprised what a simple daily task like this does to your daily mindset and life.

Tapas 

Self Discipline is a tough one fro humans. We are easily distracted - especially in life now - we have become busier than ever! Tapas = heat (discomfort) and encourages us to break habitual thought and behavioural patterns. Why? To transform our life. Creating change isn’t easy. But where the discomfort lies is often the place we need to lean into to see real changes in out life. For example, hold that pose another breathe and breathe through the discomfort. Then transfer that skill into your life when you have a piece of work that needs finishing. Keep breathing and stepping out of the comfort zone. Discipline yourself to keep working for what you want.

Svadhyaya

This is the most commonly practiced Niyama in any classes you may have attended. You will always hear the teach asking you to become more aware. Self Awareness is they key to everything. I don’t exagerate! When we become aware of our thoughts, actions, behaviours, desires and needs for example we can transform our life as well as look after ourself through life rollercoaster. The best place to start is to bring awareness into your practice on your mat on start to journal your thoughts.

Isvara-pranidhana

This final Niymama refers to the idea of surrendering to something bigger than ourself - whether you refer to this as God or the Universe. We can cultivate this in small steps, for example, by dedicating your practice to someone else. You will often hear me say this at the start of a class and this help us practice surrendering. This gives us space to let go of doubts or attachments we have and cutlivates a strong sense of purpose without expectation on our mat as well as grounding us in the idea that we are nt the centre of everything, releasing our ego from our practice. Reminding ourself that there is someting bigger than us also helps us put things in perspective.