In yoga, the Niyamas are the ethical principles for dealing with yourself. They can offer guidance for a more satisfied life – regardless of whether you consider yourself a yogi or not.
The so-called Ashtanga yoga is a traditional form of yoga in which the so-called Yamas and Niyamas are first internalized before the actual practice begins. These are the ethical principles of yoga.
While the Yamas deal with the principles of dealing with the outside world and are intended to ensure peaceful coexistence, the Niyamas are the counterpart to this: They give us help in dealing with our bodies and self.
You don’t necessarily have to stand on the mat regularly to benefit from the Niyamas. The five principles can provide you with inspiration for a happier and freer life even if you don’t practice yoga.
1. Niyama: Saucha, cleanliness
Saucha, the first of the five Niyamas, can be translated as “cleanliness.” It’s about thoroughness and cleanliness at all levels. This is not only important from a health perspective, but also an important prerequisite for a clear mind. For example, it may look like this:
- On a physical level, Saucha means treating our health and body with respect. To do this, we should wash our bodies regularly. This also includes, for example, not letting the body come into contact with things that are contaminated with pollutants – so we should wash ourselves with organic shower gel and use organic cosmetics.
- The same applies to our food: our food should, if possible, be of organic quality. When shopping, you can use meaningful organic seals as a guide.
- You should also keep your household tidy and get rid of unnecessary ballast. Order on the outside promotes order on the inside.
- For some yoga practitioners, the organizing principle can also include detox measures. This could be, for example, a digital detox or a thorough clearing out of the basement.
- Cleanliness is also required in yoga on an inner level. Leave negative thoughts behind and cultivate pure, positive thinking that is free from any hurt.
- From a pure mind arise equally pure words. This Niyama also stands for “clean language”. According to Yogaworld, yoginis and yogis should be free from negative words, thoughts and feelings. These include, for example, anger or envy.
2. Niyama: Santosha, contentment
This Niyama can be translated as “contentment” or “modesty” and represents a contented state of mind that accepts what is.
- We constantly have expectations and are disappointed when they are not met. We repeatedly make ourselves and our well-being dependent on external circumstances.
- Yoga teaching, on the other hand, recommends finding long-lasting satisfaction within instead of looking outside. Only those who accept what is can truly free themselves and live more carefree.
- Through Santosha you can consciously become more satisfied with your life instead of waiting for external circumstances to happen.
3. Niyama: Tapas, self-discipline
The third of the five Niyamas is Tapas, which can be translated as “discipline”. This is considered one of the most important basic postures in yoga: with the necessary self-discipline, anything can be achieved.
- In most cases, we impose unnecessary limits on ourselves when we believe we are not good enough for something. Tapas is not about self-punishment, but about staying involved and always finding your way back to your focus. It’s about your commitment.
- In doing so, we can train mental strength and thus gain control over ourselves and our lives: Instead of being controlled by bad habits and reactionary behavior, we can live more self-determined and take our fate into our own hands.
- According to Yogaworld, this Niyama also includes ascetic practices. These include, for example, conscious solitude and meditation.
4. Niyama: Svadhyaya, self-inquiry
The fourth Niyama is Svadhyaya, the exploration or examination of the self. On the path to self-realization, we must first get to know and understand ourselves. According to Yogaworld, this can bring you closer to enlightenment, the highest state of consciousness:
- All forms of mindfulness are useful for this: observe yourself, your body, your mind and your behavior closely. Become aware of your habits and patterns and reflect on yourself.
- With a better understanding of yourself, it will be easier for you to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and, from there, find the highest version of yourself.
- Furthermore, studying the scriptures is another aspect of this Niyama. In yoga, these are primarily the Yoga Sutras, the Upanishads or the Bhagavad Gita. For you it can also be the Bible, the Torah, the Koran or a book that is sacred to you for very personal reasons.
5. Niyama: Ishvara Pranidhana, devotion to something greater
Ishvara Pranidhana is probably the most abstract of the five Niyamas. The term can be translated as “trust in God” or “devotion to God”, although the word “God” here has great potential for misunderstandings and often stands for “something greater”.
According to Yogaworld, the 5th Niyama refers to the “meditative focus on the divine”:
- God can mean something very personal to you in this context. Maybe you resonate better with the terms nature, universe, fate, all-soul or energy – or maybe you detach yourself from a term altogether.
- Ultimately, Ishvara pranidhana means cultivating a mindset of devotion and trust – overcoming fears and trusting the flow of life instead.
- We can also learn serenity and thus find a more carefree life.
- Rituals can also help you implement Ishvara Pranidhana. For example: a mantra, an affirmation or a prayer.
Step by step: Integrate the Niyamas into your life
No matter whether you consider yourself a yogi or yogini or have never stood on the yoga mat before: the Niyamas can inspire each of us to live a healthier and happier life. You don’t need incense sticks or yoga pants and you don’t have to accept any religion or dogmas.
Instead, you can simply think about which of the Niyamas are valuable to you personally and to what extent you would like to integrate them more into your life. The Yoga Sutras give you the space to go through the process of self-realization step by step and not to try to implement everything at once. You just shouldn’t put yourself under pressure.
Edited by Lea Hermann
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