Introduction According to Yoga Sutra, Ishvara Pranidhana is the fifth Niyama or the ethical code of yogic observances. It is also spelled as Ishvarapranidhana. Let us have an insight into this. Ishvara Pranidhana meaning Literal Meaning The Sanskrit word Ishvara…
Introduction Svadhyaya is the fourth Niyama of Ashtanga Yoga. It is often translated into English as “Self-Study.” It is a part of ancient Indian education system. Let us have a look into this. Svadhyaya Meaning According to the Sanskrit dictionary…
Introduction Tapas and Tapasya are equivalent terms in Sanskrit. Tapas is one of the Niyamas or the ethical codes of conduct. In Raja Yoga or typical Ashtanga Yoga terminology, the Niyamas are the prerequisites for the progress in yogic path.…
Introduction Santosha is the second Niyama of typical Ashtanga Yoga. It is one of the important virtues to be observed in Yoga practice as well as in religious practices of India. Let us have an insight into its meaning and…
Introduction Saucha (also spelled as Shaucha) or cleanliness is the primary Niyama which is the model code of conduct for practicing yoga. There are five important codes as given in Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, of which Saucha is the first…
Meaning of Niyama Niyama are the ethical codes of conduct to be observed during the course of yoga. Simply put, Niyamas are “dos” in yoga; whereas Yamas are “don’ts”. In other words, Niyamas are the moral observances. These observances helps…
Aparigraha is the yogic injunction for non-possessing. All oriental religions promulgate Aparigraha as one of self-restraint to be cultivated by persons in all walks of like whether they are laymen or ascetic. It is a moral precept that controls the…
Brahmacharya Meaning Brahmacharya is commonly understood as Celibacy which means non-indulgence in sexual activity. Brahmacharya is more than that. It is the combination of two words: Brahman and Carya. The word Brahman is derived from the root ‘Brh‘…
Asteya is a moral virtue in Hinduism and Jainism, Asteya or non-stealing is the third of the five Yamas of Ashtanga Yoga. It comes next to Ahimsa and Satya. It is highly ridiculous to classify it like ‘on the mat…
Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Yama is a list of yoga precepts that should be cultivated by a Yogi for successful mastery of Yoga. Different Yoga scriptures list a different number of…