The Apply of Cleanliness for Thoughts, Physique & Spirit – Fitsri Yoga

“When there may be each inside and outer cleanliness, it approaches godliness.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi 

The area we reside in each bodily and psychological shapes the standard of our life. Our environment, ideas, and experiences create the inside and outer worlds the place our complete lifespan unfolds. What determines happiness in these areas? It’s the purity of the area itself cleanliness.

In yoga philosophy, this concept of cleanliness will not be restricted to hygiene. It represents an inside self-discipline that purifies physique, thoughts, and feelings. This idea is expressed in Saucha, one of many 5 Niyamas, the second limb of Patanjali’s Eightfold Path. By way of Saucha, yoga builds a clear and regular basis for self-development and non secular progress.

What’s saucha?

Saucha (usually written as Shaucha) is the yogic follow of cleanliness and purification each inner and exterior. It refers back to the purity of the physique, thoughts, and spirit, achieved by way of each day habits, ideas, and acutely aware residing.

Earlier than any yoga follow can really work, the medium of yoga have to be clear and clear. Bodily, this consists of your yoga room, mat, garments, and the surroundings the place you practise. Mentally, it refers to cultivating pure, constructive, and calm ideas. Saucha encourages the cleaning of those mediums in order that the stream of power stays unobstructed.

In yogic philosophy, Saucha holds a particular place. Within the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it’s described as a part of the Niyamas, the second limb of Ashtanga Yoga a system that guides private self-discipline and self-purification.

Saucha: the primary niyama

The Niyamas are observances that situation the thoughts and physique to align with the ideas of yoga. They act as a behavioral extension of the ethical codes outlined within the Yamas, the primary limb of Ashtanga Yoga.

Whereas the Yamas present a ethical compass, the Niyamas translate these ideas into each day follow. Saucha, or cleanliness, addresses impurities — whether or not bodily, emotional, or mental that may disturb the thoughts, physique, or surroundings. By cultivating Saucha, a practitioner purifies themselves, supporting the Yama precept of non-harming in thought, phrase, and deed.

As the primary Niyama, Saucha types the inspiration for all others. Its follow triggers a sequence response, guiding a practitioner naturally by way of the remaining 4 Niyamas:

1. Santosha – Contentment
2. Tapas – Austerity or self-discipline
3. Swadhyaya – Self-study and reflection
4. Ishvara Pranidhana – Devotion to the Divine

Cleanliness of physique and thoughts cultivates self-contentment (Santosha). A wholesome and purified thoughts helps self-discipline (Tapas), which in flip enhances studying and self-awareness (Swadhyaya). This basis finally results in devotion and give up (Ishvara Pranidhana), finishing the trail of Niyama.

Saucha in each day life

As the primary Niyama, Saucha extends past mere hygiene it encompasses life-style and yogic practices that domesticate non secular, psychological, and bodily purity. To completely perceive Saucha, it helps to discover its totally different dimensions in each day life:

To know the true which means of Saucha we might want to consider the various kinds of Saucha:

• Saucha of physique
• Saucha of Thoughts 
• Saucha of power
• Saucha of speech
• Saucha in food regimen
• Saucha on Mat
• Saucha at Dwelling
• Saucha of Setting

1. Saucha of physique

Saucha of the physique entails sustaining cleanliness each externally and internally. Conventional yogic texts, particularly in Hatha Yoga, emphasise inner purification by way of Shatkarma practices.

Whereas each day hygiene routines bathing, brushing enamel, washing fingers, and private grooming — assist exterior cleanliness, Shatkarma methods cleanse the inner organs, tracts, and techniques. These kriyas purify the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, stomach organs, and rectal pathways, supporting general bodily well being.

By integrating each exterior and inner cleaning, Saucha of the physique ensures a bodily wholesome basis, getting ready the practitioner for deeper yogic and non secular practices.

2. Saucha of thoughts

Saucha of thoughts refers to mental purity. Mental impurities may cause two methods of hurt. The person who bears the poisonous ideas in thoughts suffers from psychological regression, and biochemical deficiencies that have an effect on the physiology of the physique. Additional, poisonous ideas can set off behaviors dangerous to others and the environment.

One of the simplest ways for Saucha of thoughts is to meditate, take correct relaxation and have interaction in psychological therapies if needed. A disciplined life-style and a each day routine additionally assist cut back psychological toxicity.

3. Saucha of power

Prana or the life power power is believed to be very important to our existence. The life power sometimes called the very important air, is essential to motion and movement at a mobile degree.

Blocked power gateways and impurities result in illnesses and problems. Saucha of power promotes a wholesome power stream that normalizes the functioning of physique techniques. Power and chakra cleaning meditation methods are efficient methods to purity the power.

4. Saucha of speech

Our phrases even have the potential to be polluted with impurities. Phrases that trigger hurt to others and to the environment are thought-about impurities in speech. Typically the impurities of thoughts and power manifest themselves in speech. The yogic practices of Saucha warn the practitioners to be aware of their speech. 

The Saucha of speech may be practiced by way of consciousness and consciousness enhancing meditative processes. Consciousness provides you with acutely aware management over speech formation, which can enable you filter out impurities from coming into your speech stream.

5. Saucha in food regimen

The yogic philosophy categorizes our existence into 5 totally different sheaths, PanchaKoshas. Essentially the most exterior sheath, our bodily physique, is named the meals sheath (Annamaya Kosha). It’s because our bodily physique is kind of actually made up of the meals we eat. If impurities are included in our food regimen, they finally turn out to be part of our bodily existence. Thus to remain wholesome Saucha of meals is essential. 

For this, the yogis observe a sattvic food regimen or yogic food regimen. A sattvic food regimen is nutritionally full and simply digestible. It lays a heavy emphasis on fruits and recent greens, entire grains, milk and ghee, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, candy fruits, medicinal herbs, pure sweeteners like honey and cold-pressed oils.

6. Saucha on mat

Saucha will also be noticed by way of the yoga asana. Clear your physique totally earlier than beginning your follow. Put on recent clear garments whereas practising, and be certain that your yoga Mat is maintained and cleaned frequently. You must also clear and tidy the area the place you follow yoga. 

Working towards in an open area is normally supportive of the follow of Saucha. Observing cleanliness in your Asana follow will guarantee perfection of the postures and potent advantages.

7. Saucha at house

Your house is the place you reside. Protecting it clear will not be solely your ethical obligation but additionally useful. It’s usually believed that the situation and association of our environment have the power to impression our inner power. Even the traditional Chinese language conventional follow, Feng Shui, relies on this concept.

Saucha of the abode we reside in is essential for psychological and bodily well-being. Protecting the constructs and furnishings clear of filth, and sanitized of germs. Tidying up our belongings, frequently cleansing up our garments and varied inside materials, are a couple of fundamental Saucha at-home practices.

A clear surrounding has a number of results on our existence. Primarily a clear and germ-free house prevents the event of an unhygienic ecosystem. That will in any other case play host to a variety of illnesses. And secondly, a clear surrounding is rapidly felt by our senses, to generate a sensation of well-being.

8. Saucha of surroundings

Mahatma Gandhi, the person we all know for India’s Independence, himself said that “sanitation is extra essential than independence.” Our existence is not only influenced by our houses, but additionally the surroundings we reside in. An surroundings stuffed with poisonous components will pollute our lives, unleash a plethora of illnesses, and suffocate us to dying.

Thus Saucha of the surroundings might be crucial type of cleanliness. In spite of everything, what’s the purpose of cleansing your physique, if the air you breathe in is polluted and the meals you eat is contaminated. 

Few Saucha for Setting practices are to extend environmental consciousness, take heed to particular person waste disposal, develop communal waste administration and recycling techniques, develop life-style practices with a low environmental footprint, use eco-friendly merchandise, and such.

Private advantages from saucha

Working towards Saucha presents holistic advantages, impacting each the person and society. Whereas yogic philosophy emphasises the well-being of all creations, the non-public benefits of Saucha are important and tangible

• Reduces threat of infections by sustaining hygiene and bodily purity.
• Improves digestion and immunity, supporting general bodily well being.
• Enhances organ and system operate, resulting in a more healthy physique.
• Promotes sensory pleasantness, creating a sense of consolation and ease.
• Brings psychological readability and reduces stress, fostering emotional steadiness.
• Improves focus and focus, aiding each day duties and meditation.
• Cultivates self-discipline, supporting different points of yogic follow.
• Enhances social acceptance and relationships, as cleanliness is universally valued.
• Refines speech and articulation, enhancing communication expertise.
• Prepares the physique and thoughts for deeper yoga practices, supporting all different limbs of yoga.

By consciously making use of Saucha in each day life, practitioners not solely strengthen their bodily and psychological well-being but additionally lay a strong basis for non secular progress.

Shatkarma follow for saucha

The shatkarma practices, or shatkriya, have given the very best significance in Hatha Yoga. Technically 6 practices of shatkarma provoke inner bodily cleaning, however in actuality, they act on our complete thoughts, physique, and power.

• Dhauti – Abdomen cleaning carried out on empty abdomen. In Dhauti the practitioner drinks 1-1.5 liters of water, after which places two fingers down the throat and pukes out the water together with remaining impurities from the abdomen.
• Basti – Bowel cleaning very like a yogic enema. Water is drawn in from the anus and into the colon, by contracting the associating muscle tissues. After which the water is flushed out by way of the anus, cleansing the big gut.
• Neti – Cleaning of the Nasal passages. The practitioner makes use of a Neti Pot to place water by way of one nostril, and cross it out by way of the opposite. The water enters one nostril, passes by way of the nasal cavity, and exits by way of the opposite nostril. Alongside the best way, the water cleanses the passages.
• Trataka – Cleaning the organs of focus. The practitioner gazes steadily at some extent. The regular gaze cleanses the neural pathways, eyes, and the thoughts (of impure distracting ideas.)
• Nauli – Cleaning the stomach organs and passages. The practitioner rotates the stomach muscle tissues, in clockwise and anti-clockwise instructions. This method stimulates digestion and resolves stomach motion problems.
• Kapalabhati – Cranium cleaning. Kapalabhati is successive forceful exhalation spurts, the place the lungs, diaphragm, and stomach muscle tissues are exercised. This method acts alongside the road of the seven chakras, offering efficient power cleaning. Since respiratory controls the stream of power, Kapalabhati improves your command over the power stream.

Up to date saucha practices

The Yoga Sutras and different historic yogic texts are knowledge treasure chests, however they don’t deal with a couple of issues of recent instances. The impurities have largely elevated because the Vedic interval, which types the bottom for yogic tradition. And these elevated impurities imply there have to be a couple of up to date inclusions to the follow of Saucha.

• Asana follow with Shakti yoga stream. The Shakti yoga stream more and more advantages thoughts and power cleaning. Heat-up with Pranayama.
• Preserve your yoga area and equipment clear.
• Preserve strict oral hygiene. Our enamel and gum are a significant avenue for illnesses.
• Preserve a clear wardrobe.
• Bodily grooming like moisturizing, deep pores and skin cleaning, blackhead removals, and totally different pores and skin therapies are good. They maintain the pores and skin wholesome and hydrated and shield towards air pollution. We frequently ignore our pores and skin however overlook they type the primary line of protection in your immunity system.
• Preserve your hair and nails clear.
• Bathe frequently.
• Preserve your own home clear, tidy, and organized.
• Preserve your mattress significantly clear and sanitized.
• Apply hygienic sexual interactions.
• Preserve your meals processing items, utensils, and equipment clear.
• Keep away from consumption of processed meals.
• Keep away from dangerous and intoxicating habits like smoking and consuming.
• Meditate frequently

Conclusion

Saucha is a follow that transcends cultures, traditions, and time. Its advantages are universally acknowledged from non secular teachings to fashionable scientific understanding. In truth, practices of cleanliness and self-purification have existed because the very genesis of human civilization, taking part in a key position in each private and societal evolution.

The essence of Saucha is deeply embedded in our each day lives, usually with out acutely aware consciousness. From a younger age, the habits of hygiene, care, and self-discipline taught by elders are all expressions of Saucha. By bringing acutely aware consciousness to those practices, we are able to totally combine Saucha into our lives purifying physique, thoughts, and spirit, and making a basis for well being, happiness, and non secular progress.