photo credit: Heather Rose Otto

Yoga is an ancient art based on a subtle science. It is a living tradition that cultivates creativity, happiness and health. The basic tenets of yoga are described in eight steps by the sage, Pantanjali. The first four steps or limbs are the primary techniques practiced by beginning practitioners. These limbs are Yama – abstentions or restraints, Niyama – observances, Asana – postures and Pranayama – breath/life force control. The steps were structured to be practiced sequentially and simultaneously.

The purpose of the first two limbs, yamas and niyamas, is to cleanse the astral channels and collect the life-force (prana) in order to make it available for the individual’s enhanced well-being. All the yamas and niyamas are practiced through thought, action and speech. The five niyamas are conducts or positive currents that bring shape to the inner desire to follow the yogic path:

Saucha - purification

Noble and ethical thoughts inspire contentment, peace and compassion. If the mind is scattered or confused, it is no longer pure. With verbal contentment, we feel and show respect for the power of words and their effect on others. Physical purity entails inner and outer purity (structural, visceral and pranic alignment).

Santosha - contentment

The experience of contentment arises when we are totally and fully in the present moment without being distracted by regrets of the past or hopes of the future. Within verbal contentment, we begin to examine our reasons for speaking. When in verbal santosha, words take on tremendous power and meaning because they embody the present. Bodily discontent results from imbalance. Hatha yoga helps us learn which muscles are too weak, too strong, too short or too long. Then we bring them back to balance. This allows the bones and skeletal structure to return to natural alignment. This relieves stress on the organs so they function optimally. Now the body can work when it needs to and rest without struggle or effort. The body is in a state of contentment rather than dis-ease.

Tapas - austerity

Austerity is the narrowing and focusing of the elements of our mind. Intent is required to focus the mind. Verbal austerity implies a great respect for the spoken word. Can we become focused enough in our mind to know exactly what needs to be said? We can look at the quantity and quality of the items in our lives as an expression of our inner world. The things we have also have us…

Svadhyaya – self study

This practice of self study leads to liberation and illumination. Svadhyaya is the technique of learning from life’s experiences. As we reflect on ourselves, we begin to observe the thought process as something we do and something we have, rather than as something we are. We see how our thoughts affect our life. If our mind is clear and disciplined, it can be our greatest assest. Verbal self study is about listening to ourselves. By listening, we gain insight into the predisposition of our mind and emotions. As we work through our asana practice, we are working through the body memories of every thought and experience since childhood.

Ishvar-pranidhana – attunement to life

This suggests that we learn to evaluate all of our thoughts words and deeds in light of how they can reflect divinity. We practice all of the yamas and niyamas to enable ourselves to experience the divine. The yamas and niyamas are guidelines that help us express our humanity. As we cultivate this attunement to the divine, it motivates us to become one with the sacred, which is life.

Yoga is the alchemy that generates equilibrium of the body, mind and spirit. We can practice these niyamas with compassion for ourselves during our daily practice. As we learn and integrate these positive currents, we are able to bring them off the mat and into our daily lives, making them fuller and more joyful.

References:

Goswami Kriyananda. The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga The Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago, IL 2002

Temple of Kriya Yoga Hatha Teacher Training Certification Course, Chicago. IL 2001

B.K.S. Iyengar. Yoga The Path to Holistic Health, London, 2001