The five niyamas are (depending on your translation): cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-awareness, and faith.
As I reviewed the niyamas one by one, I got to “contentment” (santosa). Contemplating the glass half full. Having gratitude for all I have. Focusing on what is going well in life. Realizing that I am doing the best I can.
Proceeding through the list, I got to the next one: discipline (tapas). Working a little harder. Structuring my efforts to be streamlined and effective.
Hmmmm. What a contrast. I had just finished focusing on contentment---accepting things as they are. Discipline seemed to be the opposite: making things better than they are. Are contentment and discipline contradictory?
No, I don’t think so. But they do form a creative tension.
In these two niyamas, we are reminded to have a gentle open gratitude while also keeping an eye on a steady effort to do what we have chosen on the path toward our goals. One is about allowing the moment to be as it is, while another is building toward a future with patient steps. Many areas of life require this creative tension.
In our yoga asanas, we have many chances to practice this. We can give thanks for simply having the time to practice, for having a teacher, for having willpower to come practice. We can be content that we are simply engaging in yoga (as opposed to being so blue that we are staying in bed all day). At the same time, we can be disciplined: to go through the poses even though our minds wander, even though the phone rings, and even though we may not like each pose.
So, today, whether on your yoga mat, or on the welcome mat of life, may you find a creative blend of contentment and discipline.
