The second limb of Ashtanga Yoga is Niyama. In this limb there too are 5 Niyamas. Remember the Yamas had 5 (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, and non-possessiveness).

If the Yamas are a way for us to act morally with the world around us, the niyamas are a way for us to turn inward and focus on our inner world.

The first is “saucha”. Saucha translates to cleanliness.

I laugh when I hear or talk about this each time because I can hear in my head that old phrase “Cleanliness is Godliness”. Did anyone’s parents say this?

Back in 2009 when I started practicing Ashtanga, my teacher would gently remind all newcomers, “Remember to shower BEFORE class”. For the longest time I thought because it was close quarters. The room was big, but it was always filled. And it was HOT. It wasn’t “Hot Yoga” – the temperature was just turned up to 80 to mimic yoga in India.

Later I realized we are supposed to show up to yoga clean because we are showing up to spend time with God and our highest self. How can we tap into the best part of our being if my feet smell like rotten flesh? Cleaning yourself before you get into your spiritual practice is showing respect and your dedication.

But it doesn’t stop with our bodies. What about our minds? Are they filled with trash? Are they dark? Dirty and rotten? Having foul thoughts will block your path to peace.

While we are at it, go ahead and clean the house up. And the yard. And the cars. You know what they say about chaos and clutter in our environment? It makes us chaotic and cluttered inside. So clean it up!

I need more saucha in my life.