Niyama: Tapas  तपस्

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...
Niyama: Santosha संतोष

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...
Niyama: Śauca (शौच)

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...
Yama and Niyama

Yama and Niyama

Yamas, and its complement, Niyamas, represent a series of “right living” or ethical rules within Yoga. These are a form of moral imperatives, commandments, rules of living. The five Yamas of Patañjali’s classical yoga system are committments that...