But lets be franksome days, it seems impossible to carve out a large chunk of time for your practice. See also10 Ways to Bring the Yamas + Niyamas Into Your Yoga Practice. Its the way we shower, scrape our tongues, clean our teeth, wear clean clothes and eat life-supporting, nourishing foods that move cleanly through our systems. Do this practice on its own, add more poses with the accompanying 10-minute video sequence, or link all of the yamas and niyamas together, one pose as a time, forming a sequence. Cleanliness in your environment also affects the way you experience life. This awareness permeates all of the other layers, allowing us to become aware of them. That means being careful of gossiping, cursing, or speaking badly about others. Thats why its called practice. When things are in order, an energetic path has cleared towards personal development. There is a difference between something that is clean and something that is pure. How does it feel walking into each room? The light of my life can shine brighter in a clean, orderly house when Im clean and pure! Inner cleanliness refers to healthy living with cleanliness of mind. It reminds me of the B.K.S Iyengar quote the body is your temple. This isnt to say you can never eat pizza or fries again, and, personally, I dont think thats sustainable, but I know that I can definitely tell when Ive been eating less nourishing food because I have less energy, physically as well as mentally. When Prana is scattered, so is the mind. A regular meditation practice serves to assist with the process of mental decluttering, recognizing which thoughts are unhelpful products of your monkey mind and which are the important ones, taking us closer to self-realization. The team will litigate many types of IP cases, including patent and trade . This one principle has the power to radically change your life if applied with diligence. Saucha is an ancient yogic principle that invites us to consider how we can clean and purify both externally and internally. 5 simple ways to practice saucha: 1. Saucha reveals our joyful nature, and the yearning for knowing the Self blossoms.". ( Gyan Mudra or Dhyan Mudra )-Unlock Your Highest Potential What is Ashta Siddhi? Remember, even in the best-tended gardens, weeds pop up. If there is injustice in the world or if harmful actions have been taken, the teaching of santosa willingly acknowledges this fact and accepts it with a heart full of love. Download the app . When we practice saucha, we are less likely to become sick, and if we do fall ill, we recover more quickly. "An adventurer, wildflower, cat lover and sunset chaser.Yoga is a creative expression of our soul <3"@sunnyrachelyoga. Later, as you move about your day, reflect on these words and see if you can find relevance in their teaching. Practice the Brahmaviharas: These help you to cultivate a heart full of kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity, free of greed, hatred, and delusion. The 5 Yamas are about living in the right relationship with others, whereas the Niyamas are personal observances or attitudes towards ourselves. 2020 All rights reserved. These practices extend the ethical codes of conduct provided in his first limb, the Yamas, to the practicing yogi's internal environment of body, mind, and spirit.The practice of Niyama helps us maintain a positive environment in which to thrive and gives us the self . The cleaning and ordering of my physical environment has a comparable effect on my psyche. It increases the power of memory and brings the mind to a state of awareness, attention, and focus. Saucha in Sanskrit is often translated to mean cleanliness or purity. Slowly (but surely) these positive thoughts will begin to become second nature, and it will be easier to dismiss your . First though, let me be clear that although saucha translates to purity, part of saucha is recognizing that we all have inherent goodness or purity, despite typical impurities . Now, at the prompting of my editor at Asana, Ive embarked on the same mission for the Niyamas. According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the body must undergo a process of purification to purify the mind. Saucha means cleanliness or purity, and it is the first of the Niyamas, or moral observances, of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. Saucha is the practice of inner and outer cleanliness. Many other gurus and yogis also teach this, explaining (in a much more well-versed and elegant way) that the goodness of the practice will not be absorbed as fully if the body is unclean, compared to when we have taken steps to purify it. This makes Saucha the perfect segue as the first niyama in the second limb of the eight-limbed path of yoga. This is a form of self-compassion. Or, others feel like optimism is spiritual bypassinga way to ignore reality in favor of positive thinking. When you eat with intention, you can achieve optimal health and well-being. In our modern-day life, we consume many artificial and adulterated ingredients. So often we run from inconvenient truths and try to avoid situations that bring up discomfort. Finding Contentment: 3 Ways to Practice Santosha One way to practice Saucha at home is to keep your abode clean and clutter-free. 41, sattva-uddhi saumanasya-ikgry-endriyajaya-tmadarana yo agyatvni ca, (Upon the purification of the mind, [one attains] cheerfulness, one-pointedness, sense control, and fitness to perceive the self). Cleanse the inner body with the 6 shatkarmas: The outer body is easy, but the inner body must also be cleansed from time to time: a. Neti: cleansing of the nasal passages; b. Dhauti: cleansing of the digestive tract; c. Basti: cleansing of the large intestine; d. Nauli: cleansing of the abdominal organs; e. Kapalbhati: Cleansing of the frontal lobes of the brain through the breath; 3.) To explain saucha, we have to zoom out a bit and mention the yamas and the niyamas. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. The Five Niyamas: How to Put the Niyamas Into Practice - Yoga Journal A clean environment and clean mind are two ways to practice saucha. Nauli is one of the shatkarmas: a traditional cleanse of classical hatha yoga, though its not taught in many yoga classes. 3:23-cv-01471. Creating cleanliness in your environment is perhaps one of the most commonly practiced forms of saucha. Whilst all of these practices should be approached with mindfulness, taking more time in your day to become aware of and appreciate yourself and your surroundings will allow you to live more fully in the moment. . Sorry, the content of this store can't be seen by a younger audience. If the glass that surrounds that light is smudged, or blackened, our light will be dull or faded. What Is Santosha? The external cannot be practiced without the internal and vice versa, they are both crucial for our growth as yogis and spiritual practitioners. We can choose to impose them on ourselves and our pula pula inflavel lives, but until were ready to naturally unfold in that direction, there will be some conflict or resistance. Cleanse the inner body with the 6 shatkarmas: The outer body is easy, but the inner body must also be cleansed from time to time: a. Neti: cleansing of the nasal passages; b. It can be translated as purity, cleanliness, or simplicity. When we take on a physical yoga practice or pranayama practice, we're using, creating and directing powerful energy. She strives to create a trauma-informed space in which everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves. Some practices are as extreme as drinking warm salty water and performing specific yoga asanas until the water flows from the anus. Maybe set an intention during this ritual and send gratitude to your yoga mat for its support. We'll take a look at: What are the niyamas? For example, in India some devout Hindus bathe every morning in the holy Ganges River while reciting prayers and making offerings. The limbs are meant to be mastered in this order: Yama: guidelines for self-control and pure intentions. Notice your breath. Yoga 101 - Saucha A born and bred Kiwi girl who spent her twenties wandering the world and living large, Kara-Leah has spent time in Canada, the USA, France, England, Mexico, and a handful of other luscious locations. Applying the fourth yama, brahmacharya (moderation), to daily living This can really help our focus when we practice so that when were in a warrior 2 our mind doesnt then wander to things like Oh I really must tidy those books away after practice.. Now walk into a cluttered lounge with furniture at haphazard angles, dirty dishes strewn around the room, weeks of newspapers stashed on the coffee table, clothes hanging over chair arms and toys strewn across the room. The same applies to practicing saucha on the yoga mat. When we think about saucha, we usually think about physical cleanliness. If we find that our thoughts are negative or harmful, we can let them go and focus on something positive instead. Try to make it a habit so that each time you step onto your yoga mat, you can greet your practice fresh and renewed. As the Buddha said, Whatever one thinks and ponders upon, thus the mind inclines.. A clean and tidy space opens you up to possibilities. VAT Number 368677435. yogajala was founded in 2021 and is run by a group of yoga teachers and students who believe in sharing the knowledge of the ancient practice of yoga. Each of these techniques is then divided into sub-practices as well. Its brilliant! Well feel better about ourselves. The idea is that when we take care of our physical body, we have more room for spiritual thought and compassion. Just like there will always be laundry and dishes, the mind, body, and heart need continual care and cleansing. Food is such an integral part of our health, nourishment and keeping our bodies clean and able. Most of these cleanses are suggested only with the supervision of an expert. Ltd. Company Number 11327083. From an asana practice and a shower to a regular meditation routine lets take a look at some of the different forms this niyama can take. The first of the Niyamas, Saucha, is translated as purity or cleanliness. This is what Saucha is about clearing out the dirt removing the unnecessary. The Niyamas are the second of the Eight Limbs of Yoga in yoga philosophy. The work is to truly polish your heart into a mirror that reflects your true nature. Maintaining clear boundaries with the people in your life. Eco friendly jute yoga mats. Compare the feeling of walking into a zen-style room. One way to practice saucha niyama is consciously choosing environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Pose Library :: Mudra Library :: Practice Philosophy :: Encyclopedia, +44 (0)1346 517061yogajala | Broadsea Media, Main Street, Fraserburgh, UK, AB43 9RT. Everything flows smoother. How Does It Work? For a Neti practice, youll need a Neti pot (can be made from ceramic, plastic, or even glass) and lukewarm, isotonic saltwater. The physical practice of yoga itself is saucha yoga asana is meant to cleanse and purify the body. LovedWhat Does Saucha Mean In Yoga & 5 Ways to Practice Saucha at Home? Enjoy your stay :). Keeping your body, food, clothing and space clean is a great first step toward incorporating saucha. Try to speak from your heart in a way that embodies your unconditionally loving nature. 3. Saucha - Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga 1. A whole other article could be dedicated to this form of Saucha so we wont spend too long here but I would invite you to think of one thing you might do today or this week to practice self-care and feel a bit more connected to Saucha. Take a second to reflect on this and what it truly means for you. We cultivate a sense of clearness in the body that trickles into well being and contentment in our daily life. Whilst the guidelines of the yamas (the first limb) generally pertain to our external worlds, the niyamas specify personal observances related to our inner states, giving instruction on living a life of peace and joy certainly no small feat! The room is light and airy. But as our actions create ripple effects in our everyday life, so too can we seek to create clarity with our friends, teachers, and loved ones. Before asana Saucha doesn't lie beyond asana so much as it lies before it. Cultivating Focus and Intention: Saucha What is Saucha? I grabbed a glass of water, and I lit a candle. Explore Saucha (Purity) In Your Yoga Practice - Yoga Journal 1. Finally, consider being mindful about your speech and drop all gossipy or snarky comments, whether written or spoken. For example, if you never admit to yourself that youre exhausted or burned out then you will not take the steps needed to rest and heal. One Of The Most Popular Yogi Terms Explained, 10 Essential Types of Pranayama Breathing Techniques That You MUST Know, The 8 Limbs of Yoga Study Guide [Explained For Modern Life], Online 200-Hour Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, How to Lead a Live Online Zoom Yoga Class. Is An Online Yoga Teacher Training Worth The Investment? Yoga Philosophy for Daily Life: Tapas, Self-Discipline The vagus nerve is one of the biggest nerves connecting your gut and brain. Nauli can be broken down into a few steps: As this is a more advanced technique, it is best done with the guidance of a yoga teacher. The National Rifle Association of America filed a lawsuit . Organizations faced an average of 1,248 attacks . TRACK DOCKET: No. Another way to practice Saucha is to be mindful of your food and ensure it is nourishing and wholesome. The first two limbs outline the ethical foundation of the path. On a deeper level, saucha shows up in our lives in other ways. Pure food must be consumed and in moderation. Similarly, if a society cannot see its own injustice then it will never take the steps necessary to create true equality. Outer cleanliness refers to the physical aspect, simply means keeping ourselves and our surroundings clean. Dhauti is another yogic cleansing technique intended to clean the digestive tract. For practicalitys sake, this includes showering, brushing your teeth, and cleaning your house. Approach the second niyama with this understanding: when practicing saucha, know that we can tap into this nature at any time. The benefits of practicing Saucha in Yoga are many and varied. When reading the key texts of any spiritual tradition, svdhyya instructs the yogi to be open-minded and receptive to the teaching. Too much caffeine, alcohol, or drugs will disturb your chemical balance, causing agitation and mental distraction. Come back when you're older. If you ever feel this way (and who hasnt?) This method of purification involves staring at a single point such as a small object, black dot, or candle flame. Eight Most Powerful Ashta Yoga Siddhis What is Saucha? Practice: While there are many religions and definitions of God, the Divine principle is nearly universal in all human beings. Well, that phrase also applies to our yoga practice, especially when we consider Saucha. Consume food that energizes you, provides nutrition, and makes you feel light. Close your eyes. To learn more, call us at 919-971-1431 or check out our class descriptions and class pass to find the perfect class for you! So read, learn, and take the wisdom along with you on and off the mat. It wants us to create internal clarity so that we can meet each moment with purpose. As mentioned above, tidying our space can help us tidy our mind and improve our concentration and awareness, so, if youre someone who practices from home a lot, think about the space you practice in. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes. If you mix them, they are no longer pure, but they are not unclean. Notice the pace of your steps. Santosha (Contentment) 3. Ill fetch a cloth and clean that ketchup. If you feel more connected to yourself when you are still, sit down. The first yama is Saucha, usually translated as purity and sometimes as cleanliness. Developing a regular meditation practice is one of the best ways to find saucha of the mind. This could include attending a place of worship, participating in yoga or meditation classes, or simply spending time alone in reflection or prayer. Also, if you use any yoga props, such as yoga blocks, use the same method outlined above to wipe down your blocks and keep them dirt-free. Through meditation, we become better at understanding our thoughts and how they work. What Are The Different Levels of Yoga Certification? However, it is done with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. Dont skip those showers either! When we maintain a clean and inspiring environment, we feel more at peace, more creative, and less distracted. There are a number of ways to practice saucha in your life, even in subtle ways like keeping a clean and organized space at home or practicing asana on a clean yoga mat. Alcohol, drugs, and pollutants, that not only harm the body but also the state of mind. Ishvara Pranidhana: How to Surrender to the Universe, What is Samadhi? Compare the feeling of walking into a zen-style room. How is Kundalini Different from Hatha/Vinyasa? However, rather than a list of things to be done and checked off, the idea is to make each of the niyamas as personal and relevant as possible to your daily life. I see the yamas as the moral and ethical guidelines for how the yogi ideally acts in society and in relationship to others, and the niyamas as the same outline for how the yogi treats oneself. Saucha doesnt have to be serious. We'll feel better about ourselves. So, how does cleaning my house more often and not skipping my morning shower once in a while help me to become a better person? Best Yoga and Meditation Blogs for Transformation, List of Hatha Yoga Poses Hatha Yoga Asanas List Postures of Hatha Yoga. Meditation helps to still the mind and allows us to become more aware of our thoughts and emotions. Without pardoning the harmful behavior or trying to immediately solve a problem, just start practicing santosa by being willing to see what is with open, non-judgmental eyes. The practice trains you to not be confused. Join Our Facebook Pages, Here are some interesting links for you! But saucha also refers to the cleanliness of our minds. Whether you're interested in yoga teacher training or you're new to yoga, we have classes for everyone. Maintaining a healthy diet, putting love and intention into your food, and taking care of your immune system through good hygiene can also be ways to create saucha. Yoga as a practice purifies our system and by extension, our lives. This clearing out on all levels allows Prana (life force) or energy to flow freely. At its core, the whole of yoga is included in the simple word, Saucha. The energy of the room is pure. or decoctions used in Ayurveda. See alsoLooking for Journaling Inspiration? Every few weeks, Im picking one niyama and studying it plus observing how it shows up in my life. Saucha: Loving Our Whole Self - Wanderlust Of course, cleanliness is part of Saucha. The spiritual path is an operation of the mindand, like any good surgeon, you have to practice. These Shatkarmas are: Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti, Kapalbhati and Tratak. As you work on yourself, you instill a set of values that lend themselves to a deeper practice. Purity, then, is an intention and commitment to uncovering, holding space for, and respecting this inherent purity that resides within. Yet a few years after being obsessed with the yoga poses, I felt the inclination to learn more about traditional yoga philosophy. Its important to keep in mind that the term body can be taken to include not only ones own physical body but the environment that one occupies, both in terms of living space and world. What is Saucha? - First Niyama-Bring Purity in to Your Life Saucha (Purity or Cleanliness) 2. The rate of global weekly cyberattacks rose by 7% in the first financial quarter of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, according to an April report by cybersecurity firm Checkpoint Research. Simple attention to the breath will bring you to the present moment. From the Vedantic perspective, we have five layers of self or koshas: Similarly, Tantrics say we are five-layered beings, explaining the layers as: Importantly, in this model, there is a 6th layer Cit (consciousness). How I could practice Saucha in my daily lives: Let this be the foundation of consistent practice. Without that first step of honesty, healing cannot take place. On the mat: make a ritual of cleaning your mat following every asana practice. The 8th Limb of Yoga Explained, What Is Dhyana In Yoga? Remember where attention goes, energy flows we have the choice in how we act, we have the power within our mind to think pure thoughts. Try out a few things and notice where you feel closer to the practice and the idea of Saucha. The regular practice of these asanas brings joy, ease, and harmony. It could be the Yoga Sutras, but it could also be the Dhammapada or the Bible. All About Jute: The Versatile and Sustainable Material, 4 Best Easy Supplements For Health & Longevity. You could start at the beginning or you could flip through and randomly choose a passage. Here are some of the benefits you can experience: If you want to bring the benefits of Saucha into your home life, there are many things you can do daily to practice this Niyama. For those that have a lot of props for restorative yoga, its a good idea to look at cleaning those, too, every now and then. One room is an invitation to rest and breathe, whilst the other makes us feel scattered, cluttered, and oppressed. However, you might focus your practice of Saucha in the kitchen by cooking up a nourishing meal full of veggies and nutrients. Then, the practice is repeated on the second side, and the nose is dried by rapid breathing. Last but not least, one of the ways we can practice Saucha and cleanse and detoxify the body is through movement. Written by Liz Burns Yoga Theory Published: July 6, 2023 4:14 pm Saucha is the first of the five niyamas, an outline of positive, inner observances for yogis to follow. Decluttering, dusting, or even beautifying your living spaces can be forms of saucha. For your practice this week, choose a key text from your main spiritual lineage. There is good reason for this Niyama and I notice it in my own life. Let the first niyama be a journey of honoring your inherent purity, being with what is, and embracing the parts of you that still feel messy on the way. Before diving deep into the meaning of Saucha, let me give you a little introduction. Heres what you need to know about each of the five niyamas, and how to put them into practice in your life right now. Saucha (): purity, clearness of mind, speech, . Saucha works from the outside in, as much as it works from the inside out! Your room? As a mompreneur, there are several things you can do to ensure you are getting effective self-care. Scientifically, we know that the gut and brain are in constant communication. And finally, one of the most important ways to practice Saucha is through your thoughts and actions toward others. Saucha: Purify Your Mind and Body. - True North Wellness The floor is wooden, there is a rug on the floor, aligned perfectly with the walls. Trataka is another yogi purification method, but this one is for your eyes. Ayurveda teaches that a daily routine is absolutely necessary if one hopes to purify mind, body, and soul. Food is such an integral part of our health, nourishment and keeping our bodies clean and able. Commonly translated as purity, saucha teaches us about the importance of cleanliness for our entire being body, mind, and soul. Not every yoga teacher will tell you to do this, but one of my particular traditional Tantra teachers encourages us to clean our body before any practice we do, whether thats meditation, mantra, asana, or pranayama. The study of yoga philosophy reminds me of the right attitude I should adopt in leading a pure and positive life. This doesn't mean the principles and their meanings are void, however, in-fact the meanings and contexts in which these relate can be adapted to suit a . The exercise is meant to create physical purity by cleansing the digestive organs and the small intestine. Your gut contains millions of neurons, which are connected to your brain through nerves in your nervous system. These terms insinuate the connection between the mind and body. Keeping Saucha in mind, it might inspire you to also declutter/clean that space youve been neglecting. This is traditionally called 'householder level' practice. Practice saucha in this way, and you will be joyful, caring, accepting, and true to yourself. Living the 8 Limbs - the first of the niyamas: Saucha - Byron Yoga But those toys have a place and when its time for bed, Samuel helps me put all his toys in their place. Putting away your yoga mat and props after each use. My light-shining often takes the form of housework. 5 Powerful Ways to Practice Non-Stealing in Yoga and Life, Understand the Koshas and Discover 5 Deeper Dimensions of You, 4 Modern Ways to Deepen Your Svadhyaya (Self Study) Practice, Why Ahimsa (Non-Violence) Improves All Areas of Your Life. You can lie down too, but if you are anything like me this will lead to a nap (which is admittedly lovely but is not the purpose of this exercise! You must take care of your body inside and out. Practice: Perhaps the easiest of the niyamas to apply, tapas gives you the foundation of the ritual of practice. So if you use a meditation cushion, a yoga bolster, or an eye pillow, check out the cleaning instructions and set aside some time to clean and give your props some love. This doesnt have to be through a yoga practice. Practice: Some people resist practicing santosa because they think that being content and accepting of what is normalizes (and even pardons) grievous actions taken by others. By directing my thought towards positivity, I can add positivity to my lives and to the people around me. However, it also means working to maintain a clean mind and heart. This will create a sense of orderliness and peace in your environment. The yamas and niyamas are the foundational principles of yogic thought and philosophy as outlined in The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Be silly, fun and playful. 5 ways to practice Saucha everyday | Tirisula Yoga Pilates In doing so, Ill notice crumbs in castelo inflavel the door shelves so take out the bottles and clean the shelves. First Niyama Bring Purity in to Your Life. Yoga philosophy teaches us that these processes are a necessary form of purification and release if we want to awaken the greatness of our spirits. One way to practice saucha in yoga class is to arrive early and take a few minutes to center yourself before class begins. This in itself can be useful because it highlights areas of Self for us to look at and learn about. If your tap water is hard, this is even more important!! Work to cultivate a mind that is willing to be in the present moment and a heart filled with kindness and compassion. But when I got to the five niyamas, or self-disciplines, I instantly saw their practical application in my life both on and off my yoga mat. What Does Saucha Mean In Yoga? & 5 Ways to Practice Saucha at Home Read This. Many of these neurotransmitters are also produced by your gut cells and the trillions of microbes living there. It is the fourth Niyama of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and has the potential to deepen our yoga practice way beyond the mat. 2) Mental cleanliness: Keeping our thoughts positive and pure. Sometimes a good shake and boogie can be the most cleansing thing in the world! If something is clean, it is free of dirt; but if something is pure, it is free of flaws. This week, as an exercise in building your relationship to the Divine, choose a place in your life where you feel utterly stuck or stressed out. 2. Saucha can be translated as purity, cleanliness, or simplicity. 2023, asanajournal.com, All Rights Reserved. One can practice Saucha in daily life by keeping a clean and orderly environment at home and work. These come from the heart. This doesn't mean you need to start a detox diet or juice cleanse. What is Saucha? - Definition from Yogapedia I invite you to consider where you might dedicate more of your yoga practice to Saucha off the yoga mat. (Yes, even if youre in a rush). 4) Spiritual cleanliness: Connecting with the higher being regularly. Practicing Saucha in daily lives | Tirisula Yoga Pilates The Niyamas arrive on the shoulders of the Yamas and act as support for the ultimate work of behaving and conducting oneself with integrity.