THERE IS A SUBTLE BUT IMPORTANT ritual I naturally follow before stepping over the threshold onto the cool cement floor of my aunt's bungalow in Bengaluru, India: I remove my chappals and wipe the red earth from my feet. In Indian culture, prior to entering homes and other kinds of sacred spaces, we take off our shoes and sometimes even rinse our feet. This ritual is spiritual and a sign of respect, but it is also practical. Especially before the influence of colonization on India, most people ate their meals from banana leaves or from steel plates placed on the floor. Mats were usually rolled onto the ground for cool sleeping. Keeping the floors spotless protected against contamination and illness. Though tables and beds are a modern-day norm for many in India, the observance of floor cleanliness continues.
I realized in adulthood that this was one of many forms of sauca (Sanskrit: 9T, pronounced like "shau-cha" or "sau-cha"). In yoga communities, sauca is often translated as hygiene or purification. We relate it to washing hands, bathing, or tidying a space. But this niyama, or personal practice, covers a broader definition of cleanliness that is external and internal, physical and spiritual. I've come to appreciate the concept of sauca for its subtle power: cleanliness allows the harmonious flow of energy, inside and out.
CLEARING WAY FOR ENERGY FLOW
Prana, the energy of life, flows in and around all things in the system of our Universe. When our systems are clean, energy moves easily and productively. But if part of the system is clogged or dirty, it disrupts energetic flow and may even cause damage.
Imagine a laptop hard drive that's overloaded or infected with a virus. Programs freeze, valuable information is lost, and the battery drains quickly. But once the hard drive is cleaned, using the computer is a swift, satisfying experience again.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Spring 2022-Ausgabe von Yoga Journal.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Spring 2022-Ausgabe von Yoga Journal.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Learning to Hear the Voice of Self-Care
How to discern what really matters.
Inclusive Yoga for All
A Down syndrome diagnosis set this family on a path to make yoga accessible to everyone.
For the Joy of Practice
Doing yoga without attachment to the outcome can bring unexpected gifts.
Be Kind to Your Spine
Your vertebral column is a series of complex, interconnecting parts that support your every movement. Here's how to keep it safe.
A Skeptic of Chakra Balancing
The experience helped me make peace with things that can't be explained.
Are We Having Fun Yet?
Bring play back into your practice with three styles of yoga that can get you out of your head and bring a smile to your face.
12 Ways to Use Blocks You've Probably Never Tried Before
The beauty of blocks? They not only meet you where you are in your practice, they take you beyond where you ever thought you could go.
THE SCIENCE OF AWE
THOSE MOMENTS IN LIFE THAT STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS IN ASTONISHMENT? RESEARCH SAYS EXPERIENCING MORE OF THEM CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
What Your Doshas Say About Your Dharma
Ayurveda can explain so much more than what's out of balance.
The Future of Yoga
Yoga has been evolving for thousands of yearsfrom a mind-and-body spiritual practice to a billion-dollar "lifestyle" practice. What's next? We asked futurists, teachers, and thinkers what to expect in the next decade and beyond.