The NIYAMAS the second limb of Yoga in the Eight Limbs of Yoga are the suggestions prescribed for personal observance. Like the yamas, the five niyamas are not exercises or actions to be simply studied. They represent far more than an attitude. They refer to the attitude yogis must adopt towards themselves as they create a code for living soulfully.
Saucha has both an inner and an outer aspect. Outer cleanliness simply means keeping ourselves clean. Inner cleanliness has as much to do with the healthy, free functioning of our bodily organs as with the clarity of our mind. “But more important than the physical cleansing of the body is the cleansing of the mind of its disturbing emotions like hatred, passion, anger, lust, greed, delusion and pride.” This means being mindful not to confuse or misportray greed and hidden agendas under the guise of “I just want to spread yoga”, are you going about it in a clean way? This can also imply developing awareness of mind to a degree it becomes free (and clean) of tainted view caused by ‘conditioning’.
Saucha on the yoga mat maybe choosing an intention to help harness the mind, in order to leave the mind better than you found it before practice, or it may mean cleaning your yoga mat, leaving a place better than you found it.
David Swenson who will be joining us for the first time in QLD here on the Sunshine Coast who is a world-renowned yogi, author, featured alongside Bryan Kest on Titans of Yoga documentary shared his definition of what a Yogi is that ties in with this:
A Yogi is someone who leaves the place better than they found it
Bryan Kest has another way of expressing similar teachings asking us to consider why we are giving some of the most gnarly self harming thoughts unconscious loyalty
Cleanliness is not just about the exterior – it is about becoming more responsive and less reactive to what’s going on ‘inside’ the mind. We can’t always choose our thoughts but we can recognise them , and stop feeding the unhelpful ones.
Enjoy your practice of Saucha on and off the Yoga Mat
Namaste
Tammy
“A Yogi is someone who leaves a place better than they found it. ”
Pictured Rosie who has completed our Yoga NRG Mentoring Program post graduation of Level 1 / 200hr Yoga Teacher Training.
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