The second limb helps refine your spiritual path. Discipline and self-restraint lead to a more orderly
and productive life. From the perspective of ancient yoga texts, life is extremely short and we need to
make the most of it while we can. This limb gives us guidance. There are five Niyamas:
1. Shaucha: Purity of body and mind
When you develop shaucha (cleanliness), unwholesome thoughts that lead to foul speech and
a sick body are cleared. Purity starts with your mind. Speech and action follow. So, the
second limb directs you to make a habit of consuming both food and mental stimuli that
support well-being for yourself and the environment (humanity and the planet). This will
allow destructive habits (hatred, greed, and delusion) to dissolve.
2. Santosha: Contentment with what one has
When you achieve santosha (contentment), bonds to the material world are broken and
authentic peace and happiness are established within. A lack of contentment is often based on
a distorted perception of what one has versus what others have. You advance on the path to
self-realization when you can be content with your lot, whether you sit on a throne of dirt or
gold.
3. Tapas: Self-discipline, sometimes associated with austerity, and being able to conquer
the body and mind through mental control
Tapas literally means “heat” or “glow.” This refers to a burning desire to accomplish one’s
goal despite what obstacles may appear. The commitment to achieving a goal, no matter how
challenging it becomes, builds character. However, note that the highest level of tapas is to
complete one’s goal without a selfish motivation. When tapas is attained, laziness is
overcome and willpower is developed for future use.
4. Svadhyaya: Self-study that leads to introspection and a greater awakening of the soul
and the source of creation; traditionally studied through Vedic scriptures
Svadhyaya (self-study) leads to a greater awakening of your true potential, the root of one’s
place in this world and how to live in harmony with the Earth and all its inhabitants.
5. Ishvara pranidhana: The surrender to God
When you accept that all things come from a higher power, pride and egocentric behavior are
turned into humility and devotion. This strengthens your practice of all the limbs leading up to
samadhi (the eighth limb).Asana and Pranayama are the third and fourth limbs, and they relate to health and longevity, which
allow us more time to achieve the ultimate goal of yoga, Self-Realization or Enlightenment. The third
and fourth limbs are important, as they prepare the body for meditation, which will be the key to
calming your mind and discovering your true potential.
THIRD LIMB Asana (Seat or Posture)
Here is a question: If Gandhi is one of the greatest yogis of our time, does that mean he can touch his
toes or bring his foot behind his head? The answer is that it doesn’t matter. Gandhi’s ability to