The 8 Limbs of Yoga: 2. Niyama: How We Relate to Ourselves

If the Yamas help us understand our impact on the world around us, the Niyamas help us understand the world within. The five practices that make up the Niyamas are:

• cleanliness

• contentment

• discipline

• self-inquiry

• devotion

The Niyamas remind us that inner clarity isn’t something we stumble into; it’s something we cultivate with intention. The Niyamas aren’t about being pure or perfect. They’re about paying gentle attention to the habits that either support or undermine our well-being. They offer a framework for living with steadiness, curiosity, and a sense of connection to something larger than our individual selves.