Saucha: (First Niyama) Purity/Clarity

We often refer to Niyamas as the “Do’s” or observances of Yoga. To follow the Niyamas is to take a pro-active attitude toward life. The first Niyama, which Patanjali mentions is Saucha, means cleanliness or purity, but this is a much deeper issue. Cleanliness and purity have many levels.

Saucha is the purposeful movement of purity in thought, action, intention and in words.  At first this particular niyama may sound judgmental.  If the concept of “purity” is interpreted with rigidity it is distorted. A more practical way to understand Saucha is to simply observe that if one embraces impurity in thought, word or deed, they will suffer. This suffering has more to do with our thoughts than our actions.  It may take years to understand saucha on this more complex level. A good rule is to always check if one’s intention originates in purity, goodness and love.

Saucha (purity) means both bodily and moral purification.  Purification is much in evidence in Yogic practice.  The breath controls, postures, hygienic processes, and dietary rules described in Yoga of Breathing all contribute to psychophysical purity, whereby body and mind are prepared for the progressive refinement of consciousness that is the Yoga of Meditation.  Yogins are instructed to change the quality of their body cells by eating sattvic (purity) foods , and sattva is the guna which predominates in pure consciousness.  Internal (ethical) purity is obtained by obeying the abstinences and observances. 

Practice: evenness of mind, thoughts, speech and discrimination.  Keep the environment clean and clear. Orderliness surrounding the self and our thoughts. Orderliness of environment. Clearing of energy.