Niyama Yoga
Every sort of practice has its own set of rules on how to live one’s life. One of those practices is Yoga which follows a set of observances which is called Niyama. While this may seem to others as a form of control, indeed it is, but it is a person’s control over himself or herself rather than a person controlling another.
This article deals with the roots of the Niyama as well as a list of the rules that a person who practices Yoga must follow.
There are several ancient texts in the Yoga tradition that refer to a certain set of behaviors that a person must follow. Some of those texts include the Shandilya and Varuha Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Tirumantiram, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The texts mentioned above list ten Niyamas, except for the Yoga Sutras which only has five.
There are two known sets of Niyamas, one set with ten and the other with five Niyamas.
This is the list of the ten Niyamas:
- Hri – a show of remorse or regret for one’s misdeeds
- Santosha – the feeling of contentment for what one has
- Dana – giving something freely without expecting something in return
- Astikya – believing in one’s teacher and to his/her teachings
- Ishvarapujana – worship of one’s creator
- Siddhanta shravana – studying and listening to the teachings of the wise
- Mati – developing spiritual will and intellect through the guidance of one’s guru
- Vrata – faithfully fulfilling one’s vows and following the rules and observances
- Japa – daily recitation of mantras
- Tapas – endurance of the opposites, e.g. cold and heat, sitting and standing
Meanwhile, here are the five Niyamas according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras:
- Shaucha – purity of oneself
- Santosha – the feeling of contentment for what one has
- Tapas – austerity
- Svadhyaya – study of the Scriptures
- Ishvanapranidhana – self-surrender
While there are latent differences in the two sets of Niyamas, they share the same purpose: to help one live his/her life fully and on the right path. We hope that this article can help you live your life to the fullest and achieve happiness and contentment in one way or another.
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