Yama Niyama

Yama Niyama -The Yogic Way to Attain Health and Wellness

Every year we promise ourselves a grandiose scheme of avoiding the “bad” foods and doing some exercise. Mostly, the resolutions are short-lived and we are back to square one. So, let’s pledge to keep the resolutions small, doable and use them as building blocks for a better life style. The piece meal solutions to our lifestyle woes can make our life interesting and the realization of the goals brings us back to a much healthier lifestyle.

The ancient Yogis in India understood that to attain goals you need to go step by step. And planning is always a work in progress with small chance of execution! To resolve and build a healthy plan it is necessary to strengthen our will power.

Yoga Sutras clarifies that we need to first adhere to ethical practice (yama) and then set some routines of good living (niyama).

Yama or ethical practice is what is expected of an individual towards their society. Like practicing non-violence (ahimsa) – not hurting others neither yourself. Be considerate about our environment and surroundings. Or, believing in truthfulness (satya) – being truthful to the world and yourself removes lot of hypocrisy and misunderstandings.

Niyama or rules of life are simple principles just like the Ten Commandments to lead a good life. Maintain cleanliness (sauca) of body and soul to get inner peace.

Try to eat healthy foods, some healthy cooking tips can be found here. At least try to eat some fruits during the day and drink lots of water, if possible. To start, ensure a drink of water after breakfast and repeat after lunch and dinner. The water and the fruits will help to do an internal cleansing.

Realize contentment (santosha) of your mind. We know that meetings, conferences, travels and family chores sometimes create lot of burden on the mind. Before going to a meeting, if you try to relax for a minute, meditate, it works wonder towards your participation in the meet.

It is easy to preach austerity (tapas) practice but it is difficult to maintain. Let’s take some small steps like shutting down unnecessary power in the house, walking two blocks rather than driving down. You are exercising while you walk and also saving gas thereby your environment!

This is also the time when we take fresh look at ourselves. Do a little self-study (svadhyaya). Find out what we really from your life and what you are actually giving to your friends and families. You will be astounded by the realizations!

Once you are on the path of good living you can start practicing yoga as an exercise! Divine Wellness is a portal dedicated to serve people with holistic wellness information as well as assisting in learning yoga from India.

When you build in the above in your daily system, you will find a resolve to do better with your life. Then you need no New Year resolutions but resolve to lead a good life! A life which not only benefits you but lights up so many lives around you.