The last Niyamas is Ishvarapranidhana or surrender to something higher than yourself. Courtesy/Jacci Gruninger
By JACCI GRUNINGER MS, C-IAYT, ERYT500
Los Alamos
The last of the Niyamas is Ishvarapranidhana or surrender to something higher than yourself. The Yogic texts define Ishvarapranidhana as surrendering to God. However, as with all things, we can take a more modern or non-theistic view of this Niyama and define it as surrendering to something bigger than ourselves. That something could be nature, the universe or whatever else you find that is bigger than you.
Why do this? Well for one, it can help us let go of stress. We spend so much of our day in our heads, thinking, wondering, worrying. We spend so much of our time in the past and future that we have a hard time being in the present. When we let go of this control over things, we can also let go of the stress associated with them. Yogis and neuroscientists both agree that getting out of our own way or stepping outside of ourselves is a path to greater peace and happiness.
Surrender is not about being a doormat to your life.
“Surrender invites us to be active participants in our life, totally present and fluid with each moment, while appreciating the magnitude and mystery of what we are participating in.” –Deborah Adele
Many of us grew up with religion and the idea of “give it to God”, AA uses the surrender prayer. There are many ways to surrender to something bigger than ourselves. I personally find being in nature as a reminder that I am only a small spec in a huge universe. You can think of surrender as being in the flow or zone. Maybe you are a runner and have felt that running zone where you feel like you are one with everything.
Swami Satchidananda says, “tastes differ, that is why the scriptures give different paths.” You don’t have to go for the bigger is better when surrendering. You can also look at the day-to-day things that invite you to notice and be aware. Think of your senses. I find enjoying the smell of coffee before sipping a way to be with something bigger than myself. Of course, practicing yoga and meditation are also ways to connect with something bigger than ourselves.
You might explore sitting for two-three minutes in the morning and evening to feel or discover this connection. If you can take a seat near a window (or maybe even outside), take three slow, deep breaths. With eyes open, notice your surroundings then, let your eyes close and just notice what you sense (hear, feel, see) first within you and then what can you feel around you?
The more you let go of control and rigidity the more you can go with the flow and surrender into what is.
About Jacci Gruninger:
Jacci Gruninger is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Thai Yoga Massage Therapist. Teaching for more than two decades, she spent 12 of those years training yoga teachers for the Pranakriya School of Yoga Healing Arts. She helps clients manage the ups and downs of life with yoga, meditation, breathwork and bodywork. Her Yoga Therapy Center is at 190 Central Park Square #212. For her in-person and online teaching schedule and information on other services, visit www.yogawithjacci.com.
