Yoga: A Gem for Women - The Second Facet

 

Yoga: A Gem for Women - The Second Facet - Niyama

 

The second facet Geeta writes about is the Niyamas which are the individual disciplines.  

They are the rules of conduct towards oneself - both physically and mentally.

 

As Geeta writes, Patanjali has given in Sutra II.32 the five niyamas as sauca, santosa, tapas, svadhaya and isvara pranidhana.

 

That is:

Sauca- cleanliness - inner and outer cleanliness.  Cleanliness of the sense organs and personal hygiene.

 

Santosa- contentment- Geeta writes is a state if mind that is essential for the wellbeing and development of the body and mind. She writes that discontent leads to greed and envy, while contentment gives a poised mind resulting in pure happiness. 

Tapas- austerity- which Geeta explains is the conquest of all desires by practicing purity in thought, speech and action.

 

Isvara Pranidhana - devotion or surrender to god - to perform all actions as an offering to god is pure devotion and one becomes devoid of desires.

 

Additional to the five individual disciplines Pantanjali gives us, Geeta also adds from the Hathayoga Pradipika and Yogopanidsads. 

They are:

Astikya - belief, danam - charity, siddhanta vakya sravanam - listening to established doctrines, Hri- modesty, Mati - intellectual faith, Japa- recitation of mantras and Vrata - religious observances

Geeta explains that the steps above, the rules of conduct are not unique to yoga but applicable to all.

 

She says the following steps though are found only in yoga. 

So, from here we will explore more the steps of yoga.  Asana, or the postures will be the next blog. 

As you did with the Yamas, try also with the Niyamas to spend time exploring the Niyamas. 

Namaste,

Pamela Nelson

PLN Yoga

"Helping Unite Body, Breath and Mind"

Pamela Louise Nelson 

Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor

Blog: www.plnyoga.blogspot.com - class information and more

Email: plnyogastudio@gmail.com