Ashtanga Yoga - the 8 fold path

Part 2 - Niyamas: Self Discipline

The Niyamas are the second element of the Ashtanga Yoga. They are rules the yogi should self impose to develop and purify his body and mind on his Yoga path.

If you follow the Yamas and Niyamas as much as possible you will notice that you can perform the Asanas and Pranayama better. If you practise Asanas and Pranayama better you will automatically start following the Yamas and Niyamas. Following the Yamas and Niyamas will help obtain the goal of Yoga which is the total control of mental activities

There are 5 Niyamas:

1. Shaucha: purity
2. Santosha: contentment
3. Tapa: endurance
4. Swadhyaya: self study
5. Ishwara Pranidhana: total surrender to God

1. Shaucha: purity

Our body, mind and intellect are no longer pure because things, thoughts have been added to them. These instruments can be cleansed using specific Shaucha techniques. The Hatha Yoga prescribes many practices for purification of the internal body.

Cleansing processes are divided in 6 major categories called the Shatkarmas:

• Dhauti: different cleansing techniques of the digestive system (Danta, Hrid, Varisar, Vanhisar)
• Basti: technique for washing and toning the big intestines and the rectum
• Neti: cleansing of the nasal passages
• Trataka: concentrate on an object, helps to clean the eyes and the mind
• Nauli: massaging and strengthening the abdominal organs
• Kapalbhati: breathing technique of cleansing of the lungs and purifying the mind

2. Santosha

Santosha is meant to create a mental attitude which keeps the mind in a condition of equilibrium. Santosha involves the practice of gratitude and joyfulness—maintaining calm at all costs. This state of mind does not depend on any external causes.

We have to learn to control our minds to react to different circumstances. Specific circumstances create impact on the mind and the mind has to react: this can disturb the equilibrium of the mind and the physical conditioning of the body. In order to avoid these disturbances train your mind to react with contentment: always say “Very Nice”. Constant practice of Ashtanga Yoga and training of the mind through Mantra Sadhana is necessary to develop this attitude.

3. Tapa: Austerity, Self Discipline

As we want to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga we need the discipline to continue on our Yoga path. This includes various practices, the object of which is to purify the body and the mind of the Sadhaka (the yogi) for further study of Yoga. This may include fasting, observing vows of various kinds in order to control the functions of body and mind.

Systematic practice begins with simple exercise, which requires the exertion of willpower and is continued by progressive stages with more difficult ones

4. Swadhyaya: self study

Part of the discipline is that the yogi studies the different aspects of the philosophy. Self study is a process to acquire knowledge, theoretical as well as practical. According to Patanjali the yogi should approach this studying with a threefold attitude:

• Deerghakal for a long period
• Naiantarya without interruption
• Sataskarasevito and with complete and unconditional faith.

The type of study is to be selected according to the individual self.

5. Ishwara Pranidhana: total surrender to God

Progressive practice of Ishwara Pranidhana will definitely lead to Samadhi (the union of Atman and Paratman).

Ishwara Pranidhana is a process of transforming from human to God, it starts from the concept of loosing the identity of self and emerging of it with Ishwara the God. This effort takes many forms according to the temperament and the previous goals of the yoga student (Sadhaka).

PranaYoga - Yoga & Relaxation	Last Update: 6-11-2007