Saucha: Clear + Cleanse

Saucha is the first of the niyamas. In its simplest way, it translates to mean purity + cleanliness. But as I'm sure you can guess, it has so much more depth to it.

One of the lovely Inspired Club members said she felt like saucha was an internal + external spring clean. I love that! When you first hear the words ‘purity’ + ‘cleanliness,’ what do you think? How does it make you feel? Sometimes, we perceive purity in a way that is unattainable + not very human-like. If we only think of purity in a certain way, it can really restrict us + deter us from starting something new for fear of getting it ‘wrong’ or making a mistake.

However, when we approach these words differently, they can actually help us release, cleanse, + clear stagnant energy that isn’t serving us.

How do you feel when you’ve had time to ground, get organised, or declutter?

Lighter? Calmer? Like you’ve got your act together? I certainly do!

Well, if you have ever organised, decluttered, then you’ve practiced saucha.

If you’ve experienced peace + calm from meditating, doing a yoga asana practice, a savasana, a walk out in nature, or a slow Sunday morning in bed – then that’s the result of saucha.

When we take the time to clear, cleanse, + purify, we’re letting go of not just physical clutter but mental clutter too.

The result – high vibes!

Like the other yamas + niyamas, saucha can be practiced in many different ways, + ways that are personal to you. It’s important to remember that. How I practice + experience saucha is going to be different + unique for you.

Here are some questions to help you explore + practice saucha (finding your own flow within each!). I highly recommend journaling these.

Mind

Practicing saucha for the mind is possibly the most significant one + is what all the other things I share will feed back to. What are the qualities of your thoughts? Are they harmful or helpful? Where does your mind wander? What’s consuming your mind? Where is your mind getting distracted? What are you reading? What are you watching? What are you exposing yourself to? Are you prioritizing your mental health through meditations, journaling, mindfulness?

Body

Be mindful of what you are consuming. This could be what you put on your skin, in your mouth, or the air you breathe. It’s not about labeling food groups as good/bad or right/wrong but exploring balance rather than restriction. Are you eating a variety of nourishing + soul-nourishing foods? Are you hydrating your body? Are you treating your body with the respect it deserves?

Relationships

How do the relationships in your life make you feel? Personal + professional. Where could you set boundaries? Where do you need to make more effort? Where do you need to create distance? Who do you need to let go of?

Environment

Your environment is EVERYTHING. It mirrors your mental state of being. If you are surrounded by clutter, mess, distractions, + overconsumption, how do you think your mind is going to feel? Think back to how you feel when you have spent time decluttering + being tidy. What kind of vibe do you want in your life?

Organisation

We spend a lot of time looking at our screens. Is your computer desktop, email inbox, or phone full of alerts, unread messages, clutter, old files, or a lot of unused apps? Those alerts will be stimulating your stress response. Reduce the flow of cortisol, take action, + commit to being organized. Get a planner + diary to help you set new rituals, habits, behaviors, + goals.

Yoga space

Is the space where you practice yoga (asana, philosophy, or meditation) treated with respect? Is it clean, clear, + calm, or is it dirty, messy, + distracting? Your inner state is reflected in your external state of being.

The niyamas focus more on inner WORK. No one can do these things for you. Think about how you want to FEEL – what behaviors support that?

If you feel inspired to make a change + start new healthier habits, let me guide you as we journey through implementing the teachings of saucha in everyday life.

Learn More

Learn more about saucha + how to live a yoga-inspired life over on the Inspired Club.