Clean Spaces, Clean Mind

Wash your hands, brush your teeth, wear clean clothes, declutter, tidy up, wash your linens, breathe fresh air, the list goes on. Mom taught us lots. But how did she teach us about minding our thoughts?

Niyamas are observances, the guidelines to live a healthy, happy life in yoga philosophy. They are in addition to the Yamas which are behaviors that include how we treat others. Our first of five Niyamas is Saucha, purification or cleanliness. Take proper care of our external environment, but it also to care for our internal world, our mind and spirit.

My favorite expression and visualization I often say is, "your mind is your garden, tend to your garden, remove the weeds of worry, and plant only good seeds then enjoy what grows". What is it you wish to cultivate in your garden? Think good thoughts, practice mindfulness, allow for quiet time and reflection, set positive intentions.

Some practices for purification of the body we may not be accustomed to like tongue scraping, oil pulling, dry brushing, self-massage, advanced levels of breath control (pranayama), and deeper yoga postures. Some eastern cultures bathe and recite prayers as a daily ritual. As B.K.S. Iyengar explains in Light on the Yoga Sutras, “When the body is cleansed, the mind purified, and senses controlled, joyful awareness needed to realize the inner self, also comes".

Spring Cleaning...Breathe purely, cleanse your spaces and body, connect clearly with joy.

Honoring our Mothers and Mentors with gratitude,

Gina

Fusion Owner, Registered Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.