March 23: On the Board At Good Life Yoga
Sauca: Cleanliness/Purity of the Body, Mind and Heart
Sauca is the first Niyama, a list of observances that help us live a productive and balanced life.
Sauca refers to the opportunity we have to lead clean and orderly lives – every aspect of our mind, body and spirit can be cleansed, purified and aligned with our purpose. There are many traditions and activities that help us purify. We regularly bathe and brush our teeth. We clean and clear our environment. We practice Sauca when we let go of negative thoughts, avoid emotional dependencies or behaviors and eat healthy food and drink clean water. Regularly practicing all these things actively polishes the mirror of ourselves so that we reflect to the world our beautiful spirits.
Clear, pure goodness flows naturally from our hearts this week as we participate in Sauca on every level. Our mats are lined up in an orderly fashion; we strive to align our bodies to the best of our capacity and we encourage clear transitions from one pose to another. We will discuss smudging, the use of incense, chanting, and ringing of bells to help us purify our body, mind, and spirit.