How can yoga as a lifestyle help you to stay healthy? The Yamas and Niyamas are a kind of code of conduct for yogis. They show what you can do to make your life more beautiful and meaningful. The five Yamas refer to society and the five Niyamas refer to yourself. They are somewhat like the Ten Commandments of Christianity. The first Yama is "Ahimsa". Ahimsa means nonviolence and respect for all life. Ahimsa asks us to put our best foot forward, stay brave and in balance, love yourself and feel compassion for others. Know your fears, but remain combative. Look at the choices and options you can make at any time. Keep your balance by listening to your inner voice. Take the time to be quiet for at least five minutes twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. Spend time in nature every day try to look at the world around you without judgment. The first Niyama is "Saucha". Saucha means purity in the physical and relational area. In the physical area to cleanse your body, your thoughts and your words. In the relational area to be sincere and pure to your relationships. For this blog I focus in this Niyama on cleansing your body. Rinse your nose with salted water ("Jala Neti") using a neti pot or nasal rinse to keep the sinuses clean and prevent scabs and infections. Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper ("Jihwa Prakshalana") which can freshen breath and allow a better taste experience while eating. Overall they work together to yield a better working immune system. Indeed, it is possible to remove toxins on the tongue thanks to a tongue cleaner, which are otherwise absorbed into the body and then result in a deteriorating immune system. Massage your body with an oil ("Abhyanga"), for example, sesame oil. Sesame seeds contain high quantities of basic omega 6 fatty acid (linoleic acid) and vitamin B6. This is important for your tissues and has a positive effect on your mind. In addition, the massage stimulates your lymph system and calms your nervous system. As a cross comparison, I have only discussed the first Yama and the first Niyama here, I invite you to take your time and delve further into them. This is the path of Gyana Yoga.
This article has been published on the site of Yoga International: https://yoga-international.nu/blogs/de-yamas-en-niyamas-in-de-tijd-van-corona
