Niyama

Niyama ( Sanskrit , m., नियम, niyama, rule of behavior, restriction) is the 2nd level of Raja Yoga (or Ashtanga Yoga or Kriya Yoga ) according to Patanjali and represents a kind of code of conduct. The other seven levels of Raja Yoga are Yama , Asana , Pranayama , Pratyahara , Dharana , Dhyana and Samadhi .

A total of five Niyamas are described: Sauca, Samtosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvarapranidhana.

1. Sauca

Sauca in Sanskrit means cleanliness, purity, the "clarified" - what is meant are an inner and an outer aspect. Outwardly it simply means physical hygiene , inwardly it is about the healthy functioning of the body and not blocked by any impurities, on the one hand, and the clarity of the mind on the other. The asana (yoga postures) and the pranayama (breathing exercise) are considered to be essential means of achieving inner purity. There are also a number of kriyas (purification exercises) in yoga .

2. Samtosa

Samtosa means frugality, modesty , contentment in Sanskrit . Often people already have certain expectations and desired results in mind, and then they are disappointed when things turn out completely different. Samtosa means to accept what has turned out, to take things as they are. Instead of complaining about failures , you can also accept them and learn from them. Samtosa also means not to compare yourself to others.

3. Tapas

In Sanskrit, tapas means "heating up" the body : it means keeping the body healthy and fit. Discipline and perseverance in regular practice of the asanas and to get rid of the "waste" in the body through "burning" (fanning the inner fire / Agni ). This also includes mindfulness of eating habits. Careful exercise of the body, mindfulness when eating and conscious breathing are seen as aids against the deposition of "waste products". B. Toxins of food are to be understood, but also the whole "psycho garbage" that is displaced and accumulates.

4. Svadhyaya

Sva means in Sanskrit "oneself", "belonging to me" - adhyaya in Sanskrit means investigation, exploration, "to get close to something". So Svadhyaya is self-exploration, reflection - getting closer to oneself. Your own thoughts and actions should be observed and critically questioned in order to become more aware overall. Another aspect of svadhyaya is the "study of the ancient texts", because according to the doctrine one should not always revolve around oneself, but need reference points: this can be the Bible , the Yoga Sutra , the Bhagavad-Gita , the Vedas and Upanishads or other traditions and texts with a spiritual, philosophical or religious background.

5. Ishvarapranidhana

Ishvarapranidhana means in Sanskrit turning to God or trusting in God . It is enough to know that you have done your best: you can then confidently place the rest in God's hands. People often doubt, have fears, fear the future : ishvarapranidhana means to free oneself from fears and doubts and simply to know that God means well for us and knows the right way . Desirelessness because God knows much better what we really need.

literature

TKV Desikachar : Yoga - Tradition and Experience . Via Nova, Petersberg 1997, ISBN 3-928632-00-0 .