First Niyama - Sauca

The practice of yoga is much more than poses. Yoga seeks to join body, mind, and spirit and help you achieve self-awareness, balance, and peace within yourself and in your connection to the world around you. Around 200 AD, the philosophy of yoga was written in a sacred text called  The Yoga Sutra by a yogi named Patanjali. In the text, Patanjali describes eight steps that provide the foundation of a yoga practice.


The Eight Limbs of yoga are as follows: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. I’ll be diving into the first Niyama in this post.


Niyamas are rules of personal observance. The first niyama is Sauca (or saucha, both pronounced sow-ka), which means purity or cleanliness. This cleanliness and purity applies to keeping your body clean and pure, inside and out while also being applicable to your thoughts.. This purity can extend from simple hygiene practices, to what you eat, to intentions and motivations when acting or speaking.

One way to practice sauca is during yoga class. Keep your personal yoga practice clean and pure. Think of your mat as an extension of your world – how you treat it (or others') reflects how you view and treat yourself and how you approach the world. Treat the mat with care so that you learn to keep your energy pure and clean and you gain respect for all things that surround you. You may also choose to practice sauca through what you eat or your diet; either choosing a vegetarian, vegan or healthy, ‘clean eating’ way of life. The choice is up to you. I encourage you to quiet, listen, and feel and then do what’s right for your body.

Each moment is an opportunity to practice sauca: Consider your intentions before speaking and acting. Do not speak or act from anger, manipulation, or selfishness – these are not pure. Instead, strive to approach from a place of love, peace, and harmony. Keep your intentions pure to truly embrace what it means to practice the first niyama.

Sauca easily translates into a minimalist lifestyle. When clutter overwhelms our surroundings, it becomes difficult to focus on the things that bring light to our lives. When we clear the clutter, both physical and mental, our world is a less distracting place and we are able to achieve higher levels of focus and consciousness. For some, this may mean literally shedding their material possessions. For others, that may not be what creates balance and harmony in their life and they must find other ways to purify their environment in order to practice sauca.

No matter which choices you make, be mindful of them and approach them with pure intentions.

How do you practice sauca?

Sources:
The Eight Limbs, The Core of Yoga
Teaching the Niyamas in Asana Class
Yoga With Amey, Sauca