A Closer Look: Niyamas

by Awilda Rivera

Originally published in 2016 In Aquarius Magazine for her long running column "Under The Bodhi Tree" under the heading 'Niyamas'

nYoga is not just about putting your legs behind your head.  The practice of yoga is steeped in ancient philosophies that are supposed to help to inform the intent & focus of the student. In order to completely understand this, one must first accept that the tree of Yoga has 8 limbs, of which Asana is one. The other 7 limbs are equally if not more important than Asana, even though the physical practice seems to get the most attention in the west.
 
The Trunk of the tree is the Niyamas. The Niyamas provide the yogi a rubric for dealing with herself. The roots of the tree of Yoga are the Yamas. The Yamas give guidance about how to interact with the world around us.  This piece aims to focus on the NiYamas.
 
In this hectic, busy and uncertain world its is becoming clear that the only thing in our control is ourselves. The Niyama’s are an ancient yet elegant check list that keep us grounded and focused on being our best selves at all times. These “observances” highlight the 5 areas that ancient yoga philosophers believed were of utmost importance.
 
The Niyamas are:  Saucha (purification), Samtosa (Contentment), Tapas (asceticism),  Svadhyaya (Self-Study), Ishvara Prandihana (devotion)
 
Saucha, often translated as clealiness, isn’t just about keeping your home clean but also the purity of your being. Keeping selves clean refers to the actions required to keep our bodies healthy, so that we have both fully functioning organs and a clear mind. [1]  Keeping the body clean has become increasingly easier as general awareness has increase about our food sources and food processing practices. However, keeping the Mind clear has become increasingly more difficult as technology has evolved resulting in a relentless barrage of cell phone notifications and updates.   Humans are so over stimulated by their technological devices that finding a quiet moment to still the mind and get clear their mind is incredibly challenging for most.
 
Samtosa, simply stated means contentment. The idea that one should be satisfied and happy with what they have, in other words loving what is rather than despairing about what could be.  “From contentment one gains Supreme Happiness.”[2]  (Sutra of Patanjali - II.42)  Contentment is a real issue in the developed world, especially when folks are focused on trying to catch up with Instagram Influencers flashing Stacks of cash on the beach and working non-stop towards a goal of either corporate dominance or entrepreneurial stardom.  Samtosa is a straight forward yet complex idea that is intended to cover all aspects of your life.  In other words, “it is about ourselves – what we have and how we feel about what God has given us.”[3] Don’t get caught up on the G-word, the point is that if we are able to focus on being appreciative and grateful for what the Universe has provided and what we have done to get to the present moment, then we will be more able to experience joy for what is in each moment.
 
Tapa also known as self-discipline, refers predominately to the business staying physically fit. Cultivating clean eating habits, healthy breathing patterns, aligned body posture, & moderating our nutrient intake are all apart of Tapas. Fortunately in our body conscious world this is not such a big ask. However, many still struggle with self-discipline when it comes to follow through. It is one thing to think of a new course of action, it is quite another thing for to take a take a new course of action and see that plan through to completion.  However having a healthy self-awareness is essential to keeping one honest.  When a person begins to lack self-discipline, she is the only on that knows it and she is only one that can take the action to regain that discipline. Tapas is ultimately about follow through, commitment & knowing yourself well enough to keep yourself accountable.
 
Svadhyaya means Self Study.  The Sutra’s say “From self-study comes communion with ones personal diety.” (Sutra II.44)[4]   Studying yourself is a necessary pursuit.  Knowledge of self comes from the pursuit of mental, physical & spiritual growth. The practice of Yoga promotes that in a multitude of ways, the philosophy of Svadhyaya makes it clear that the purpose of Yoga is to help you turn the mirror on YOURSELF so that you can become deeply connected with your truth – whatever that may be.  The bonus is effect of deep, sincere Self-Study is a more salient connection with the Divine. For some the Divine is represented by a particular Religious figure, for others it is seen in the elegance of science, yet others believe in some greater disembodied energetic force (i.e. The Universe). Regardless of what you believe, digging in deep and daring to study yourself will inevitably open a path for you to feel oneness with forces greater than yourself.
 
Isvaraprandihana is a tricky one. While many translate this as “devotion to God” other texts provide us with an explanation that more truly captures the secular yet spiritual nature of Yoga.  BKS Iyengar helps us to understand that Devotion and Surrender are at the core of this concept.[5] The idea is to be very intentional with your acts in such that you are both comfortably detached from the need to have your behavior reciprocated and  are also able to separate yourself from your acts. Growing in your selflessness through your acts allows you to experience your humanity and spiritual oneness. The Devotion and detachment from the reciprocation lead to a complete selfless surrender that ultimately reinforces your Divine Connection.
 
With a combination of complexity and practical simplicity, the Niyamas offer us an incredible guideline for taking care of not only our physical body, but also our mind and spirit. The Niyamas help us to understand that our actions must be guided by:  a deep understanding and commitment to ourselves, a sense of joy in our current circumstance, and an acceptance of our Divine connection.  Its almost a cheat sheet to healthy, happy, drama free living!!!
 
Until Next time……
 


[1] Heart of Yoga, TKV Descihachar (p. 101)

[2] Yoga Sutras Of Pantajali: As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles (p.27)

[3] Heart of Yoga, TKV Descihachar (p. 101)

[4] Yoga Sutras Of Pantajali: As Interpreted by Mukunda Stiles (p.28)

[5] The Tree of Yoga, BKS Iyengar (p.51)

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