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Tapas Yoga Niyama

>> Mar 25, 2010

Hi, Tapas Yoga Niyama: Niyamas ar the positive actions in astanga yoga that aim at self discipline and development. Niyama's are a set of rules which are needed to be observed at a personal level. They are divided into five directives
Sucha
Samtosha
Taps
Svadhyaya
Ishvarapranidhana


The third niyama is said to the tapas. This niyama means the strength of remaining unaffected by opposites as heat, cold hunger etc. tapas refers to the activitity of keeping the body fit and handle the inner urges, with the practice of this niyama we get rid of the rubbish our body.

The tools of tapas
The asanas and the pranayama are said to be the tools of tapas, it is said theat the practice of this keeps us healthy. Apart from this paying attention to what we eat is also considered in tapas. For example hogging now and then without the sensation of hunger is the opposite of tapas. The body postures, breathing patterns and paying attention to eating makes our body fit and fine. This is what the third linb of yoga tapas teaches us. Tapa is one of the most powerful concepts in yoga sutras. According to the traditional interpretation tapas is a fiery discipline. This main purpose of this rule is to make our mind pure and clean. All the niyamas bring about internal discipline and also channelize the energy of the body.

Yama & niyama (Mental Stillness)
How the mental stillness is acquired let's first go through what the yamas and niyams stand for and what they indicate.

Lets first start with the five yamas
1. A himsa is the first to go with, doing no harm to any creature existing is known as ahimsa.
2. Satya is the commitment to truth. The non-falsehood.
3. Asteya the non-stealing.
4. Brahmacharya is not attachment to sensual pleasure not only physically even through mind.
5. And last is the aparigraha which can be stated as non-possessiveness.

Then Comes the five niyamas
1.The fist among the five is the cleanliness in yoga it is called as Saucha. Not only the outer body is to be kept clean but with the yogic kriyas like nauli, dhuti even the internal organs are to be kept clean. This cleanliness helps in other yogic practices.
2.The second is the Santosha which means the contentment in other words it can be called as satisfaction.
3.The third niyama is the Tapas. This can be said as the religious fervor.
4.The Swadhaya is the fourth in the list. It is the self study or else accordin gto muni Vyas it is also described as the study of sacred texts.
5.The last among the five niyams is the Ishvara pranidhan it is the surrendering oneself to God.

The role of yamas and niyamas

  • The everyday practice of the Patanjalis yamas and niyamas help one to view ourselves with compassion.
  • The practice of these also makes our inner growth with outer restraint. They lead us to conscious life.
  • The practice of these helps us in establishinig adequate personal adjustments and also the social adjustments, this indeed is helpful in reducin gthe effect of sadness and depression.
  • The yogic values help in curbing ego, yoga is one of those poweful methods which tackle mental disorders.
  • The practice of yams and niyams helps a person to lead a disclaimed life with which even the mental stillness is achieved.

  © RUDRA YOGA 2010

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