It is important to remember that before the body is ready for meditation, asana, or Pranayama, it must first be observing the Yamas and Niyamas. Without this, the mind is too polluted and unable to focus or stay quiet. Yoga is a preparation for meditation. That is why we start by purifying the mind and soul. The Niyamas are the second limb of yoga and can be referred to as duties or guideposts that one should adhere to. 

• Saucha

Saucha means purity. It refers to cleanliness, tidiness, and other practices. The home should be neat, dishes should be washed, and the body should be kept clean. The external environment can affect the internal experience. It is best to keep an environment minimal and straightforward to foster peace in mind. 

• Santosha

This duty refers to contentment. We can think of this as being grateful for and accepting what is with comfort and ease. It is similar to not desiring things that do not belong to you. It is believed that the path to happiness is accepting things as they come without looking for happiness through attaining new things or changing what you already have. 

• Tapas

Tapas represents self-discipline. It is a very important quality for yogis to have, especially in a society where many of us are now living within. Every day we are bombarded with temptations and stimuli that can distract us from goals that require planning and self-disciplining. It means learning how to have the ability to understand delayed self-gratification so that you can do certain things that you would prefer not to do in aim for a bigger goal. This process builds a person’s internal strength. 

• Svadhyaya

Svadhyaya is the act of self-study. When you are looking to understand yourself well, self-analysis and meditation are crucial components. It can include using yogic texts to understand the true self. Many yogic texts have important stories and metaphors that help us to understand our mental experiences better. We should always consider the information we receive through our mentors and other close relationships. While also taking the time to find silence in mind to find internal information. The mind needs time to sift through everything it is receiving to come to understand its highest truth. 

• Ishvara Pranidhana

This last Niyama represents devotion. Devotion is doing everything in the name of the greater good. It is an understanding that we are part of the greater divine and so, therefore, nothing we do is separate from it. Selfless service and karma service is part of this, which means performing service for the greater good without expecting or receiving anything in return. This Niyama allows us to humble ourselves by detaching from our egocentric identity with ourselves.

This second limb of yoga sets the stage for higher yoga practices as the mind becomes more focused. Many would suggest focussing on the Yamas and Niyamas before deepening your yoga practice.