| Recently, I received an enlightening phone call from a | | | | heard of Santosha or Niyama, but I suppose you want |
| website visitor who had a few suggestions about | | | | to tell me all about it. So, what is Santosha, and what |
| changing my appearance. It seems we cannot all live | | | | does it have to do with this conversation? |
| up to our own expectations, or those expectations | | | | A: Niyama or Niyamas are a fundamental part of any |
| that are imposed upon us. The following is part of a | | | | foundational Hatha Yoga training program. Among the |
| conversation about Yoga, Santosha, and judging | | | | Niyamas, mentioned by Maharishi Patanjali, within the |
| others. | | | | Yoga Sutras is Santosha. Santosha is a state of |
| Q: Why do you dress in western sports casual | | | | contentment and non-judgment. |
| clothing? You do not look like an authentic Yogi. | | | | In Yoga, we learn how to appreciate what we have, |
| Orange or white robes would be more appropriate for | | | | which will result in happiness (sukha). Non-judgment will |
| a "true Yoga teacher." Your usual clothes make you | | | | also bring about states of inner harmony, contentment, |
| look like a gym teacher or a greedy businessman. | | | | joy, and bliss. We can enjoy life so much by carrying |
| A: Firstly, I am an American just like you and was | | | | Yoga out into our daily lives. |
| raised as a child within this culture. Although I will | | | | Shortly afterward, the phone line went dead, but I had |
| continue to study Yoga's many facets, and Eastern | | | | hoped to convince her to research Yama and Niyama, |
| martial arts for life, my identity is still somewhat | | | | as described by Maharishi Patanjali. Also, I hoped she |
| culturally based. Therefore, I will not be changing | | | | would appreciate what Yoga does for each of us off |
| wardrobes any time soon. However, I had a question | | | | the Yoga mat. Judging others, over their differences, |
| for you - "How many years have you been studying | | | | from what we consider normal, is a waste of time and |
| Yoga?" | | | | it depletes our happiness. |
| Q: You're very clever trying to answer a question with | | | | While it is true that good judgment can save your life, it |
| a question. I have been practicing Yoga for over ten | | | | is also true that we spend too much time thinking |
| years. So, what does the number of years I practiced | | | | about our little differences. If we truly want peace and |
| Yoga have to do with anything? | | | | happiness, it is much easier to notice what we have in |
| A: I was curious to know, in your ten years of practice, | | | | common with each other. |
| if any of your past Yoga teachers had taught you | | | | When we judge another person, we risk becoming |
| about a specific Niyama, which is called, "Santosha." Do | | | | intolerant. Yoga teaches us that non-judgment is the |
| you know the meaning of Santosha, and how we can | | | | key to inner peace and world peace. If we do not |
| apply it toward our daily life? | | | | carry our practice beyond asanas on a Yoga mat, we |
| Q: I am the one asking the questions, and I don't see | | | | have missed out on the most valuable part of the |
| what this has to do with anything. No, I have never | | | | lesson. |