Over the past 5 weeks we have explored the 5 Yamas, the Yamas being the first limb of the eight limbs of yoga as discussed in the ancient text, Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. The Yamas were “rules of the road” or guidelines for ethical and moral conduct. The second limb, the Niyamas, are more inward looking and are directed toward self, or self care.
The first Niyama is Saucha or cleanliness, the translation literally means purity. It refers to purity (or cleanliness) of the mind, speech and body. We are guided to maintain good personal hygiene and certain orderliness in our lives. We can do this by keeping our bodies, surroundings and living space orderly (and our yoga mat clean). When speaking, try to avoid hurtful words or gossip, keeping our words “clean” from negativity. In terms of our minds, perhaps we work to keep thoughts positive and clear. If we have developed habits that no longer serve us, cleaning these from our lives would also be practicing Saucha.
As I was thinking about Saucha, one of my favorites of the Niyamas, I was thinking about cleanliness both literally as well as figuratively. In some ways, cleansing can be thought of as a reset. We cleanse our body, our mind, our heart to start anew. These cleansings can be physical like fasting or juice cleansing (I have never done either), they can be spiritual like making amends or going to confession, we can make resolutions at the new year or ask for a real-life mulligan, do over. Changing habits or removing toxic relationships is another form of cleansing.
Yogi T. K. V. Desikachar reminds us, “When cleanliness is developed, it reveals what needs to be constantly maintained and what is eternally clean. What decays is the external. What does not is deep within us.”
There are cultures around the world that practice rituals which combine praying and bathing, purifying the heart and mind while also carefully cleaning the body. Bathing rituals, often called "Snanam," are considered a significant practice in Hinduism. The practice of bathing in sacred rivers, particularly the Ganges, is believed to cleanse the body, mind, and soul, symbolically washing away sins and purifying oneself. This ritual is commonly observed during religious and cultural festivals. In the Hindu faith, taking a bath early in the morning is an important daily practice. In addition to cleansing the body, mind and soul, it is also thought to help remove all negative energy.
I love the symbolism of the daily bath as a “reset” as well as the therapeutic, relaxing (physical and mental) benefits. I also find a great feeling of recalibration when I declutter or clean my space. During the cleaning out my attic recently, I found myself exhaling and feeling energized. Like all the eight limbs, finding our own way to embrace these ideas is critical for success.
In finding your approach to saucha this week, perhaps focus on the concept and let the ritual follow. Finding your way to cleanse or reset whether through a ritual bath, cleaning out your personal space, or scrubbing disparaging or negative words from your speech for a whole day. On your mat perhaps practice saucha by first cleaning it thoroughly while leaving self-deprecating thoughts about your practice at the door – inviting a joyful practice to flow.
This photo was taken in Devprayag where the two holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet to form the Ganga. According to ancient writings, this is one of the five important holy confluences. When we were there a Hindu Priest prayed and blessed us as we dipped in this holy river. Certainly a "cleansing" experience both physically and spiritually.
Meditation on Saucha
B.K.S. Iyengar said, “The body is your temple. Keep it clean and pure for the soul to reside in”. This quote illustrates the importance of saucha, the yoga practice of cleanliness and purity.
“There is a strange glow on the face of a guileless person. Inner cleanliness has its own soap and water – the soap of strong faith and the water of constant practice.” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sri Sathya Sai Baba was an Indian guru. The Sathya Sai Organization which he founded has over 1,200 centers in 126 countries. They have established a network of free hospitals, clinics, drinking water projects, ashrams and other educational facilities. For more on his life and work see link below.
Our Practice – Sun Salutations to Channel Saucha – Suraya Namaskar A
When I started the habit of introducing the eight limbs each year, I often struggled with how best to develop a practice around the concepts or how to explain certain nuances. I discovered that by looking inward for inspiration, instead of constantly reading and researching, I developed more authentic explanations and ideas.
When thinking about saucha, cleanliness, I envisioned the cleansing reset of a sun salutation, envisioning doing one at the beach before taking a cleansing, reset swim. There is something about sun salutation or vinyasa that intuitively feels like a reset. I like to channel the ocean by coming onto tip toes and “waving” over to plank and then undulate back like a rolling wave.
Most vinyasa flow yoga classes begin the standing portion of class with one of the sun salutations. The Sanskrit word surya means sun and namaskar means salutations or bow down. Essentially, this is a series of poses to honor the sun which brings energy and light; the poses awaken the body and are traditionally practiced early in the morning facing east. Maybe before that ritual bath in the (Ganges) River?
We sometimes get sloppy doing these poses, as we get tired or rush to “keep up”
A few things to consider:
Corkscrew the hands into the mat and grip with fingers to relieve some wrist pressure.
Keep a gentle bend in the knees, no locking or hyperextension.
Common yogi cue is to externally rotate the arms moving eyes of the elbows toward front of mat. Your body may call for a bit of inward rotation for shoulder comfort, experiment.
In chaturanga only lower so elbows are just above shoulder line. Your elbows should not be higher than shoulders, at most perfectly in line in a 90-degree angle inside elbow.
Keep elbows in close to body
Take your time, do what your body calls for, modify, slow down, this is your practice!!
Below is a link to an article I really like about practicing chataranga safely.
Nurturing with Food – Whole Wheat Bread
I did not have a good new recipe to share this week, however, I have been cooking many of my favorites. I have made a lot of banana bread, black bean soup and whole wheat bread, all recipes that are on the web site. I have gotten so addicted to the whole wheat bread; I find myself not bothering with toast if I am out of it. A fresh loaf just came out of the oven!
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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