In-sight
This time of the year often inspires us to reflect of the last 365 days and set intentions (or even new year’s resolutions) for the coming 366 days.
Ashtanga Yoga – even just the physical postures, the asana practice itself – has a powerful tendency to ignite self-reflection, both for the body and the mind. The core of the second limb – the Niyamas – of the Ashtanga Yoga eightfold path give guidance on engaging in duties towards ourselves and our inner observances. This will be our Monthly Focus in January.
Saucha
The first Niyama is about cleanliness inside and outside, keeping our environment and thoughts uncluttered. Through the physical and mental hygiene practices, simplifying one’s life to create a sense of calmness in it. Decluttering your home can be a good habit, as long as we are not simply creating space to fill it up again.
Saucha also can help to break up excessive fixation with one’s own body or the bodies of others if it’s present in one’s thoughts and habits. Patanjali says, “Look more deeply at the body: The more you clean it, the more you realise that it is an impermanent, decaying thing”.
On the yoga classes, saucha can be expressed by arriving at your yoga practice clean. Clean your mat and towel regularly. When practising, keep only the necessary items around your mat and keep them organised.
Santosha
Second Niyama is translated as contentment. Santosha is the innate joy or happiness that lives inside us and is unaffected by circumstances. Cultivating it, means staying in the present and moving (through the asana practice and life) with ease, accepting and appreciating what we have. Hariharananda puts it this way: “To protect oneself from thorns, one only has to wear a pair of shoes – one doesn’t need to cover the entire earth with leather” (Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali). Releasing one’s mind from constantly wanting the situation to be different.
It’s not about creating perfection. Life will throw whatever it wants at you, and you ultimately have little control. Be welcoming of what you get.
During your practice, accepting where your body is and acknowledging that it’s doing its best and that it is perfect in that moment as it is, is an expression of Santosha.
Tapas
The next Niyama, Tapas, is self-discipline, right effort, or internal fire. It is the willingness to do the work of developing enthusiasm and a burning desire to learn. Connecting to your determination and will. Holding a posture is tapas; you restrain yourself from moving and watching what happens. This way, building the capacity to tolerate being with an intense sensation, observing what your body-mind can do. You develop the skill of witnessing, one of yoga’s most important skills. The right effort, for example, is about tolerating the heat of mental discomfort when one habitual pattern rubs up against a new one, ceasing the mindless habits because of habituation.
Svadhyaya
The fourth Niyama, Svadhyaya, or self-study, is the practice of self-reflection and observation. Studying oneself brings awareness to what is harmful to us and what serves us—connecting with our true selves more authentically. It is the skilful and systematic investigation of how things are to uncover and address the unconscious patterns governing our lives. When one notices their feelings, thoughts and behaviour without judgement, they build empathy and stability. Svadhyaya also encourages us to further educate ourselves in what inspires and fascinates us, deepening our knowledge. This can be the sacred texts, such as the Yoga Sutras or the Bhagavad Gita. Growing one’s wisdom and understanding whilst giving a framework for the knowledge accessed through self-reflection.
Isvara Pranidhana
The fifth and last Niyama is Isvara Pranidhana. It is often translated as ‘surrendering to God’, but it can also be interpreted as ‘surrendering to a higher power’ or simply letting go of our expectations. Do our best, be authentic, and live fully, but let go of the story and our expectations. Cultivating Isvara Pranidhana in our lives will ease the Vrittis (fluctuations of the mind) that cause worry and stressful thoughts and offer us a chance to feel empowered.