Self-Discipline
The practice of yoga extends far beyond practicing the physical postures or asanas. Yoga actually includes a deep, rich philosophy that embraces an entire way of viewing and responding to the world and life. One part of yoga philosophy, for example, is a categorization of five major negative behaviors or “yama” that practitioners are encouraged to avoid. (Bikram, by the way calls them the “Don’ts.”) There are also five “Do’s” (also Bikram’s term) or Niyama. The five Niyama are: “keeping the body and mind pure; self-discipline; training the senses; studying the Divine; and surrendering to the Divine.” At Being Yoga, we have selected the Niyama of “Self-Discipline” to be the Theme of the Month. Please read on to understand the importance of this powerful Niyama.
Most of the time when people think of self-discipline, they think of a struggle or a fight against something they desire. In this sense, self-discipline takes on a negative connotation, one of self-deprivation and self-sacrifice, i.e. “I can’t eat that cake,” or “I can’t sleep in,” or “I can’t go to the movies because I have to practice my _____________ (fill in the blank). That way of looking at self-discipline is, of course, one way of viewing it.
However, it is possible to flip that view and see that, in actuality, self-discipline is no self-deprivation. Self-discipline actually is a means by which people can have and attain exactly what they want, i.e. “By eating the right kinds of foods, I can have the health and beauty I desire,” or “By getting up early, I can accomplish my goals for the day,” or “By practicing my __________________ (fill in the blank) I can master the skill that I desire.” So, in reality, self-discipline is the way to attain what you desire. And by choosing self-discipline over the opposite, you not only move towards your goal, but
you also reinforce a sense of your self that helps you to achieve other goals as well. Bikram says, “In changing your bad habits and making choices that serve you, instead of hurt you, you establish faith in yourself.”
It is important to know that the Niyama of self-discipline is like other skills: it takes practice to develop. For example, people who “practice” quitting smoking have a much higher success rate than those who make a one-time attempt at doing so.
It should come as no surprise that practicing yoga on a regular basis helps you practice your self-discipline. Just getting yourself to class—especially on time—often takes great discipline! By coming to class, focusing on your breathing and becoming aware of your internal dialogue, you start tuning-in to your body and the importance of keeping it healthy and strong. By slowing down the chatter in your mind, you begin tapping into your deeper self and letting go of your unhealthy thoughts and belief systems that hinder your emotional and/or spiritual growth.
Self-discipline strengthens every time you practice staying on your mat for the entire 90 minutes, remaining still in yoga postures (and in-between the yoga postures), moving harmoniously with the dialogue, and giving 100% of your best effort to each class. “You’re in there holding an asana, shaking and shuddering, your every muscle crying out, and your mind is yelling at you to quit, to please bring an end to this mental and physical pain,” Bikram explains, and that’s…“when I say ‘kill yourself’…I’m talking about killing your false, lowercase self and overcoming the slavery of your own mind.”
Bikram summarizes the importance of self-discipline when he states, “It is only through disciplined willpower that physical health, mental peace and Self-Realization can be achieved.” Could there be anything more important than physical health, mental peace and Self-Realization?