Niyama – Codes for noble living

While Yama deals with one’s behaviour towards the outside world, Niyama is on how one lives his or her life, focused on personal attitude and behaviour. There are five niyamas:

Saucha
Cleanliness and purity in all aspects, not only through being tidy and clean, but also through what we eat and drink, and also the products that we use.

Santosha
Being present by being content with the current moment and appreciative of who you are and what you have. Accepting that everything is the way it is meant to be.

Tapas
Purification of body and mind, removing all that does not serve us physically and mentally. Physically by avoiding certain things we eat and drink, or strengthening the body through exercise. Mentally by calming the mind through attentive breath and meditation.

Svadhyaya
Continuous self-development by being open to learn and experience new things. Always being curious and be open to what life has to offer in every single way.

Ishvara pranidhana
Celebration of the divine: acknowledging that we are part of something bigger, but still all connected to one another. Recognising that everyone is part of this divine universe and realising that we are all one.