From Yamas to Niyamas

Eloise Handleigh
6 days ago
3 min read

I hope everyone is enjoying the recent sunshine. My daffodils and crocuses are blooming, making me a happy Eloise.

This week I taught the most people I have ever taught!

Aparigraha (non-greed)

Last week’s theme was Aparigraha (uh-puh-RIG-ruh-huh), meaning non-greed or letting go, which is the final of the five Yamas. It invites us to pack lightly on our journey through life and to be mindful of what we consume, recognising that we already have everything we need within us.

Of course, yogis can still own things. It is about not allowing those things to own us.

This is a theme I personally need more of. It is about letting go not just of belongings, but also of negative thoughts and feelings that no longer serve you.

During philosophy on my teacher training course, my teacher asked who had brought seven or more pairs of leggings for the month. I was the only one, and I was judged, but it reminded me that yoga is about owning what feels right for you. I happily own plenty of workout clothes; they’re essentially my work uniform!

Ways you can practise Aparigraha:

• Finally sorting out that junk drawer we all have

• Donating clothes or items you no longer use

• Becoming more mindful of the content you consume on social media and unfollowing creators who no longer align with your values

Intention: I release what no longer serves me.

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about these different yoga concepts and can take something away into your day-to-day life. Yoga is not only the breathwork and the poses. It is a mindset and a way of living. Even if you do not practise physically one day, but simply check in with yourself and honour your body’s needs, that is still yoga.

Starting the Niyama series

Much like the Yamas, the Niyamas are broken up into five separate principles. While the Yamas guide how we interact with the world around us, the Niyamas are our internal observances. They are about how we care for our inner world and build a kinder relationship with ourselves.

Saucha (purity)

This week’s theme, Saucha, pronounced sow-cha, translates to purity or cleanliness. While this can relate to your physical space, such as your home or office, and your physical body through diet and movement, this first Niyama mainly refers to your internal space.

Notice if your mind feels cluttered with negative thoughts, future worries or self-criticism. By becoming aware of this, we can begin to create more space for clarity and for things that bring us joy.

Ways you can practise Saucha:

• Journalling to clear mental clutter

• Slowing down where you can instead of rushing to the next task

• Taking a few conscious breaths before reacting

Intention: I choose clarity.

Life updates

On a more personal note, my fibromyalgia(chronic illness) has been flaring up over the past week or so. Yoga by Eloise is my full-time job, but managing my fibro feels like one too. I have mainly been experiencing heightened full-body pain and fatigue.

That said, I have been making sure to prioritise my own yoga practice, which really is my best medicine, and having long bubble baths. Moving is actually one of the best things I can do, even though it sometimes feels counterintuitive. Despite being in a flare, I am still able to teach, and I have actually taught some of my best classes during flare-ups. I am really proud of my body for allowing me to keep moving through.

I was completely spoilt on Valentine’s Day by friends and family with cards, chocolates, bouquets, enough that I could quite literally open a florist! It was such a reminder that love does not only show up romantically. It exists in family and in platonic friendships, too.

It just goes to show that when you put love out there and prioritise connection, it comes back to you, often in ways you would never expect. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, my word of the year is love, and I have been writing and repeating the phrase “I attract love” every morning. So far, it seems to be working.

Here are some pictures from the past two weeks, including an oil pastel landscape I created in art class: