{ishvara pranidhana}
The last of our five Niyamas, our second limb of yoga, means surrender. This can mean surrendering yo your divinity- God, nature, the present moment – whatever it means to you.
Release attachments to outcomes, release yourself release yourself from judgements, expectations, your ego.
Surrender to the idea that there is something bigger than yourself. You are exactly where you were meant to be and everything is working out.
{svadhyaya}
Self-study. THE LITTLE BOOK OF YOGA says that traditionally this meant “engrossing one’s self in text and scripture”. Today, we may handle it a little differently but always with the same goal: to find your authentic self, to make daily decision that are in line with your life and life goals, and in turn live a more authentic life.
Be honest with yourself. When you feel anger, jealousy, and resentment – get real with yourself about the “why” of it. Take that honest answer (you don’t have to share it) and take the opportunity to grow!
{tapas}
Our third Niyamas is self-discipline. Who couldn’t use a little more of that?!
Tapas mean heat and denotes the passionate commitment required to bring on change. Call upon your tapas in times when you are struggling with your commitment- to self-improvement, holding a tough yoga pose, or struggling to reset temptation.
Next time you’re struggling, imagine hot glowing coals inside you and persevere!
{santosha}
The second of our Niyamas is contentment. This guides us to be content with your life and its circumstances, no matter what they may be. Its challenges us to resist self-doubt and jealousy.
In daily practice, we try to accept what we have whether good or bad. Next time something doesn’t go your way, consider all of the options you have for how to handle it. One of those options is not to react at all. Not reacting is accepting.
{saucha}
Purity is the intent of our first Niyama.
Here we start making plans to cleanse the mind and the body. The goal is to create a pure “clean” energy. We do this by maintaining good personal hygiene, a clean home, clean thoughts, and a clean environment.
Start by reflecting on areas of your life that have become cluttered.
Your body? Spend 3 days eating clean, drinking lots of water, find time to practice to yoga these 3 days.
{niyamas}
As the New Year approaches, this is a perfect time to start talking about the Niyamas.
The second of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, the Niyamas are about personal morality.
With the Yamas (limb 1) we turned outwards looking at our interaction and relationships with the worlds.
Now we turn inward.
