Niyama

Niyama (Sanskrit, m., नियम, niyama, behavioral rule restriction) is the second stage of Raja Yoga (or Ashtanga Yoga or Kriya Yoga) by Patanjali and provides a kind of code of conduct represents the other seven stages of Raja Yoga are Yama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

It describes five Niyamas: Shauca, Samtosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvarapranidhana.

1 Sauca

Sauca in Sanskrit means cleanliness, purity, the " Clarified " - meant are an inner and an outer aspect. Externally is meant simply physical hygiene, internally it involves both the healthy and blocked from any impurities function of the body, on the other hand, the clarity of the mind. The asana (yoga postures ) and pranayama the ( breathing exercises ) are regarded as essential means of obtaining inner purity. In addition, in yoga there is a number of kriyas (cleansing exercises).

2 Samtosa

Samtosa means frugality, modesty, contentment in Sanskrit. Often, people have certain expectations and desired results before eyes, and then they are disappointed when it does occur quite different. Samtosa means to accept what has turned out to take things as they are. Instead of whining about failures, you can also accept and learn from them. Samtosa also means not to compare with others.

3 tapas

Tapas in Sanskrit means " heat " about the body: it is meant to keep the body healthy and fit. Discipline and endurance during regular practice of asanas and to get rid of " waste " in the body by " burning " ( fanning the inner fire / Agni ). This includes attentiveness to the eating habits. Attentive practice of the body, mindfulness in eating and conscious breathing are as aids to the deposition of " slag " considered, by which not only eg Toxins of food are to be understood, but also the whole "psycho- trash " is repressed and accumulates.

4 Svadhyaya

Sva in Sanskrit means "self ", " belonging to me " - Adhyaya in Sanskrit means exploring, researching, " get close to something." Svadhyaya is so self-exploration, reflection - closer to himself. Your own thoughts and actions shall be observed and scrutinized, so as to be conscious whole. Another aspect of svadhyaya is the " study of ancient texts ," because according to the theory, one should not always be about himself but needs reference points: That can the Bible be the Yoga Sutra, the Bhagavad- Gita, the Vedas and Upanishads or other traditions and texts with spiritual, philosophical or religious background.

5 Ishvarapranidhana

Ishvarapranidhana means turning to God or trust in God in Sanskrit. It is enough to know that one has done his best: The rest of you can then confidently put in God's hands. Often doubt people have fears, fear of the future: ishvarapranidhana means to get rid of fears and doubts and just to know that God is kind to us and knows the right way. Desirelessness because God knows much better what we really need.