Many yoga practitioners start their journey with the physical parts of yoga such as Asana & Pranayama. While these are crucial to a yoga practice, we also need to be reminded of the Yamas (ethical practices) and the Niyamas (observances) and how they affect the path of each individuals journey. Today we will be exploring the concept of Saucha, the art of cleanliness, and how it can help improve our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Saucha is a crucial aspect of a yogic lifestyle and is the foundation for all other practices in yoga. It is the first of the Niyamas, or personal disciplines, outlined in the Yoga Sutras. Saucha encompasses physical cleanliness, mental and emotional purity, and environmental cleanliness.
Physical cleanliness involves keeping our bodies and surroundings clean and hygienic, which includes practicing proper hygiene habits like bathing, washing our hands, and brushing our teeth. It also involves taking care of our bodies through healthy eating, exercise, and rest. A clean body helps to promote physical health and prevent disease.
Mental and emotional purity involve cleansing our minds and emotions of negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This can be achieved through practices like meditation, self-reflection, and mindfulness. By removing negative patterns and habits, we create space for positive growth and transformation.
Saucha can also be applied to our environment. Keeping our living spaces clean and organized can help promote a sense of peace and tranquillity. It can also extend to the planet, by practicing eco-friendly habits and reducing our carbon footprint.
Incorporating Saucha into our daily lives is essential to achieving a balanced and harmonious existence. By cultivating cleanliness, we create a strong foundation for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also helps improve our overall quality of life.
Maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle can be challenging at times, especially with the busy lives we lead. However, there are simple steps we can take to incorporate Saucha into our daily routines. Some of these steps include:
1. Practicing good hygiene habits like showering, washing our hands and brushing our teeth regularly
2. Eating a healthy and balanced diet
3. Incorporating physical activity into our daily routine
4. Practicing meditation or mindfulness to clear our minds of negative thoughts and emotions
5. Keeping our living spaces clean and organised
6. Using eco-friendly products and reducing our carbon footprint.
By incorporating these steps into our daily lives, we can promote a cleaner and healthier lifestyle, both for ourselves and for the planet. By doing so, we can help create a more harmonious and peaceful world.
By practicing Saucha as an essential aspect of your yogic lifestyle you will encompass physical cleanliness, mental and emotional purity, and environmental cleanliness. This will help promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being and improves overall quality of our life. By incorporating Saucha into our daily routines, we can create a cleaner and healthier lifestyle for ourselves which will spill out into our interactions with others and for the planet.