Greetings Yogis and
Yoginis,
Described in the second chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Niyamas
establish the rules of conduct that apply to individual discipline. Practicing and adhering to these principles
creates self purification in the practitioner.
This week in class we will be exploring Saucha, the first Niyama.
The first Niyama Saucha is found in verse II.40 and
II.41 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Saucha is defined as purity internally and externally.
Saucha is a relatively simple niyama for most of us to
observe with regards to our physical being. We shower, brush our teeth, clean
our ears, and make efforts to stay fresh and pleasant to the senses. These
daily rituals purify the external body. Internally, we can purify our bodies
with asana and pranayama. Asana practice tones our physical body and helps to
remove impurities and toxins. Pranayama, the practice of breath control,
cleanses the lungs and oxygenates the blood.
Quote from Light on
the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. “As a
temple or a church is kept clean each day, the inner body, the temple of the
soul, should be bathed with a copious supply of blood through asanas and
pranayama. They cleanse the body
physically, physiologically and intellectually.
The body, having its own intelligence, develops its potential to change
its behavioral patterns. It helps the
sadhaka to detach herself from sensual desires, and guides her towards the
holder of the body, the soul. Thus,
saucha makes the body a fit instrument for the pursuit of spiritual knowledge.”
Two Quotes from Light
On Yoga: 1. “But more important than the physical
cleansing of the body is the cleansing of the mind of its disturbing emotions
like hatred, passion, anger, lust, greed, delusion and pride… This internal
cleansing gives radiance and joy. It brings benevolence and banishes mental
pain, dejection, sorrow and despair.”
and 2. “Purity of body is essential for well
being…Besides purity of thought, body and word, pure food is also necessary….
Humans are the only creatures that eat when not hungry and generally live to
eat rather than eat to live…The yogini believes in harmony, so she eats for the
sake of sustenance only.”
Homework: Think about
your own rituals for self-purification. What steps do you currently take to
cleanse your physical being? Do you have a daily ritual to cleanse your mind
and emotions? Consider how purification of your physical, mental, and emotional
being can affect your asana practice. Are there any changes you can make to
your current rituals that may have a desirable affect on your asana practice
and your daily life?
References:
Light on Yoga, Light on the Yoga Sutras, both by BKS
Iyengar
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal,
and Vancouver Washington
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