The Niyamas - The Inner Discipline of Yoga

There are five Niyamas:

1. Shaucha (Purity)

Refers to external and internal cleanliness. It includes caring for the body, the environment, and also the purification of thoughts and emotions. Practicing Shaucha today involves choosing what we consume (food, media, conversations) with judgment and clarity.

2. Santosha (Contentment)

It is the ability to find satisfaction in what we have, without falling into apathy or resignation. Santosha teaches us to accept life's imperfection and cultivate gratitude in our daily lives.

3. Tapas (Discipline or Conscious Effort)

Literally, "inner heat." It represents the self-discipline that transforms: maintaining the practice, overcoming comfort, and keeping commitments to oneself. Tapas is not rigidity, but the energy that allows us to grow and mature.

4. Svadhyaya (Study of the Self and Sacred Texts)

This is the habit of reflecting on oneself and nourishing oneself with inspiring teachings. Today, this may mean reading, meditating, journaling, or simply honestly observing our actions and motivations.

5. Ishvarapranidhana (Surrender to the Higher)

This involves letting go of absolute control and trusting in something greater: life, nature, the divine. Ishvarapranidhana is the practice of humility and openness, recognizing that not everything depends on our own efforts.