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Niyama-Īśvara-Praṇidhāna (ईश्वर-प्रणिधान)
By Lucia Yess Īśvara-Praṇidhāna is our final niyama. There are many different ideas of what this niyama means but when broken down by Patanjali, it translates to, “isvara” as “Lord,” and “pranidhana” as “throwing down” or “giving up.” Īśvara-Praṇidhāna is often...
Niyama: Svadhyaya स्वाध्याय
By Lucia Yess Svadhyaya is broken down, into two parts. First, 'Sva’ means self and the second, adhyaya means 'study', ‘inquiry’, or ‘examination’. This fourth niyama asks us to learn about oneself on the inside. To go within and study.To gather more...
Niyama: Tapas तपस्
By Lucia Yess In yoga, the word “tapas” comes from the Sanskrit verb “tap” which means “to burn”. Sorry it doesn't come from the Spanish dish although those can be spicy too. This “fiery discipline,” asks for the practitioner "to burn off the impediments that...
Niyama: Santosha संतोष
By Lucia Yess The second niyama (self-discipline) is santosha, संतोष. Santosha is contentment. Contentment makes me think of abundance, joy, truth, simplicity. It doesn't include happiness however. I think true happiness comes from contentment which according...
Niyama: Śauca (शौच)
By Lucia Yess The first niyama in Patanjali's text is Śauca, also spelled Saucha or Shaucha. It represent purity and cleanliness. When you hear those two words what comes to mind? Perhaps a shower, brushing your teeth, honest thoughts and words. Of course this...
Yama: Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः )
non-avarice, non-possessiveness