Weekly Check‑In & The Niyamas (Second Limb of Yoga)

This week has been a whirlwind of emotions. Hami, the new rescue pig, arrived and is doing well. He’s still adjusting and will continue to for a while. He’s fat‑blind right now (where the fat rolls over his eyes like a blindfold), which adds to his stress, but even though he’s scared, he’s a sweet boy. He’ll be on a diet, and we’ll give him all the time he needs to settle in.

Hami under his new shelter

His first night here was probably the worst night of his life — we had epic thunderstorms. He refused to move from the spot by the gate, and it was such a challenge just getting him through it. Once inside, he said, “I’m not moving another inch.” So I was out there getting soaked, trying to get a little cover over him… and then our wash started flooding, and I had a whole new emergency. We all pulled through, and since then he’s found the shelter and is adjusting just fine.

My other emotional thing this week is accepting that I need to get a part‑time job. Writing about the Niyamas as this comes up has actually been helpful. Part of me wants to feel sorry for myself and mad that being online is so inconsistent. Another part of me feels grateful. It seems like I’ll be able to get a job in my community, and not having so much pressure on memberships will feel like a relief. Plus, it’s been a long time since I worked with people. Even before the online work, I was housecleaning and running my plant nursery — both pretty solitary. It might be nice to get to know the town better and have coworkers. And it’s part‑time, so no need to get my panties in a twist.

I’m doing my best not to feel like a failure, because I can see how my perspective could go either way. Instead, I’m practicing acceptance and gratitude, and focusing on the good. In a way, I’m practicing many of the Niyamas — which brings us to this week’s deep dive.

https://youtu.be/HL8IyHgb1N8?si=0Nd-aWfm1F4Y_nwh

The Niyamas — The Second Limb of Yoga

We covered the first limb, the Yamas, a few weeks back — our outward social conduct. If you’d like to revisit that post, here’s the link: The Yamas Explained

The Yamas can be thought of as the don’ts (don’t steal, don’t harm, etc.). The Niyamas are the do’s — the promises we make to ourselves. Because they relate to our inner world, they’re often the hardest to keep.

The five Niyamas are:

• Shaucha — Purity, cleanliness

• Santosha — Contentment

• Tapas — Self‑discipline

• Svadhyaya — Self‑study

• Isvarapranidhana — Surrender

Going over these has been a blessing, especially noticing how often I “forget” surrender and feel contentment for all that I have.

🌿 Shaucha — Cleanliness

Practicing cleanliness of body, mind, and speech. Caring for your body through movement, eating well, showering, brushing your teeth, self‑massage — treating your body like a temple. This can also pertain to keeping a clean house and space. What we consume isn’t just food: TV, music, books, conversations… everything affects us. Shaucha asks us to be mindful of what we take in.

🌿 Santosha — Contentment

One of my weaknesses. To be content with what life offers. To strive for gratitude and accept the ebb and flow. Sometimes things work out exactly as we wanted, only for us to realize it wasn’t what we wanted at all. Other times, what seemed like a curse becomes a blessing. Right now, I’m practicing contentment around needing a job — choosing gratitude, choosing a positive perspective. Keeping in mind that nothing is permanent and thats the natural order of things. Where in your life are you struggling with contentment? How would acceptance feel?

🌿 Tapas — The Fire

The inner fire that burns away impurities. Doing the hard things. Moving through discomfort. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort — it happens in the burn. For me, Tapas has meant overcoming addictions, fears, anxieties, and laziness. Showing up even when fear tells me to hide. What needs to be burned away in your life to make space for the new?

🌿 Svadhyaya — Self‑Study

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” — Anaïs Nin. Becoming aware of why we think and act the way we do. Journaling, meditation, observing thoughts, reading sacred texts — anything that helps us see ourselves clearly. What practice helps you see yourself as you truly are?

🌿 Isvarapranidhana — Surrender

Surrendering to a higher power or purpose. Dedicating your efforts to something greater, then letting go of the results. Trusting that all is unfolding in your favor, even when you can’t see the why. I forget this constantly and end up carrying the weight of the world. But when I remember to surrender, I feel lighter, happier, more peaceful. How would it feel to turn over the reins in your own life? To accept storms and sunny days as equals?