The 8 Limbs of Yoga:  What are the Niyamas?

Niyama Most students in a Yoga class have no knowledge of the 8 limbed path of Yoga.  If I were to ask you what Yoga is, your answers might be comprised of responses like “a series of stretches or postures,” “breath and movement,” “a way to relax,” and some might touch on the spiritual roots of the practice.  The 8 limbs do not have to be practiced in order, however, it is extremely beneficial to learn about them all.  The asanas, which most people think of when they think of Yoga, make up the 3rd limb. First come the Yamas and the Niyamas.

Last month I talked about the Yamas or universal morals (the way we treat/interact with others), the first limb of the eight fold path of Yoga.  This month I’ll focus on the second limb of the Yogic path, Niyama.  The word Ashtanga, a style of Yoga from the Hatha lineage, literally translates to “8 limbs Yoga.”  Each of the limbs of the eight fold path are described in detail in the second chapter of the traditional Yoga text, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The Niyamas are in essence personal observances, or how we treat ourselves.  The word Niyama means “laws” or “rules.”  These laws give us a means to create a code of conduct for soulful living.  There are 5 Niyamas that assist us in this process. 

1.  Sauca (Purity)
Meaning purity and cleanliness, sauca has both an inner and an outer aspect. The outer aspect simply refers to hygiene.  The inner aspect is concerned with both the cleanliness of our internal bodies (organs etc.) and with the cleanliness or clarity of our minds.  Asana (postures) and pranayama (breath) are essential for internal cleanliness!  Asanas strengthen and purify the physical container (the body) while pranayama hyperoxygenates (we take in up to 7 times more oxygen with the Yoga breath than with our normal shallow breaths) the blood, soothes the nervous system and cleanses the lungs.  Perhaps more important is the cleansing of the mind of the five “theives” or major weaknesses of the human personality (lust, rage/anger, greed, attachment and ego).

2.  Santosa (Contentment)
In this context, santosa refers to modesty and feeling content with what we have.  It is a state of acceptance and Santosapeace with what is, even in times of difficulty and challenge. This is a process and practice of growth.  The most challenging situations in this human life are always the greatest opportunities for growth.  All things do happen for a reason.  In Yoga this is referred to as karma. As we cultivate the ability to be content and in a state of acceptance, we then find we are able to be happy with what we have instead of constantly being concerned with what we don’t have.

3.  Tapas (Disciplined use of our energy) 
Tapas refers activities that keep the body fit, and the ability to deal with our inner urges without an outward display.  Literally, it means to heat the body, thereby cleansing and purifying it.  Behind the notion of tapas lies the idea we can direct our energy to enthusiastically engage in life and achieve our ultimate goal of creating union with the Divine. Tapas helps us burn up all the desires that stand in our way of this goal.  Another form of tapas is paying attention to what we eat. Attention to body posture, attention to eating habits, attention to breathing patterns – these are all tapas.

Noa4.  Svadhyaya (Self study)

Svadhyaya is any activity that brings about a self-reflective state of consciousness.  Sva means “self,”‘ adhyaya means “inquiry” or “examination.”  In this niyama we intentionally find self-awareness in all we do, with acceptance (even of our limitations).  Through practice we learn to remain centered and grounded in any situation.

5.  Isvarapranidhana (Celebration of the Spiritual) 

Isvarapranidhana literally means “to lay all your actions at the feet of God.”  It is the contemplation on God and the Divine, whatever that means for you, in order to become attuned to god/Spirit.  Here, we recognize that Spirit is everywhere and in everything, and by aligning ourselves with that notion, we can take up our roles as co-creators. In this practice we take time each day to connect – to see and acknowledge that there is an omnipresent force larger than ourselves, guiding us on our journey through this life.