NIYAMA (individual observances).
There are 5 great individual observances transcending creed, country, age and time. A yogi believes that when these are not followed brings chaos.
1. SAUCH ( cleanliness)
cleanliness from impurities of not only of the physical body but also mental body is required. Yoga works on both the levels. Asanas(poses) helps to tone, strengthen, stretch the physical body. Pranayam (expansion of the vital force) helps to purify the lungs, blood , opens the blocked energy channelsand remove toxins. . A yogi knows, clean food is also needed to promote health, 'the way you eat, is the way youu are.
2. SANTOSH: (Contentment) Feeling of being content with what we have. There are so many occasions when we do not achieve something and feel depressed. A yogi does not gets disappoint with this situation. A yogi is always happy with what he has.
3.TAPAS: Tap means to burn. A diamond is only diamond when it has been passed under a certain temperature. A yogi believes that with hard work in any circumstances he achieves the goal of life. A positive goal in life makes life illumined, pure and divine. Through tapas a yogi develops a strong mind and body.
4.SVADHYAYA: ‘Sva’ means self and ‘Adhyaya’ means study. So it is the study of the self. Mostly human beings are busy with the external world. He does not have time for himself. If one does not know himself how he can love himself? Therefore, a yogi reads the book of his own life. And in doing so, he knows what things are good or and what things are not good for him. He knows the Divine in himself.
5. ISVARA PRANIDHANA: To surrender all the actions and will to the Divine is Isvara Pranidhana. A yogi knows that addiction to pleasure will make him happy only for the time being. When the mind is emptied with the unwanted desires the mind should be with the thoughts of Divine.
NAMASTE
