Ever felt like you’re on a never-ending treadmill, chasing after happiness like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party?
Yeah, we’ve all been there. But here’s a little secret from the ancient yoga playbook: contentment, or as the yogis call it, “Santosha.” The word santosha is the sanskrit term for “practicing contentment“. Practicing Santosha isn’t about settling for less, it’s about finding that sweet spot where you’re not constantly craving the next big thing. It’s like finally sitting down on the couch after a long day and realizing, “Damn, this is all I really needed.”
What the Heck is Santosha?
Let’s break it down. Santosha (Contentment) is one of the Niyamas in the eight limbs of yoga. The Niyamas are like the personal vows of the yoga world, helping us live a more disciplined, mindful, and spiritually aligned life. Picture them as the self-care guidelines for the soul, with Santosha being one of these rockstars, alongside cleanliness, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power. They’re not just rules but a roadmap to inner bliss and outer badassery.
When we practice Santosha, we’re taking our practice off of our yoga mats and integrating it into our every day life. This enhances our yoga journey and personal development.
Imagine you’re at your favorite coffee shop, and instead of eyeing the fancy latte on someone else’s table, you’re totally in love with your own plain ol’ cup of joe. That, my friends, is Santosha. It’s about having an appreciation for whats in front of you, in the moment.
Why Should You Give a Damn About Santosha?
Here’s the kicker: practicing contentment is like giving the middle finger to societal pressures. It’s about saying, “I’m cool with me and my life, just as it is.”
This doesn’t mean you stop striving for growth. Hell no! It means you’re not letting your happiness be a hostage to future events or material possessions. The benefits? Less stress, more joy, and a surprising amount of mental space that was previously occupied by the “gotta have it” syndrome.
Integrating Contentment Into Your Daily Circus
Alright, so how do you start infusing your day with a dose of contentment without moving to a Himalayan cave? Here are some kickass ways to get started:
The Gratitude Graffiti Wall: Every day, jot down one thing you’re grateful for on a sticky note. Plaster that baby on a wall in your house. Watch as your very own gratitude graffiti wall grows. It’s a visual smack in the face of how awesome your life actually is.- The Social Media Detox Challenge: Take a break from the endless scroll. Notice how you’re not bombarded with images of people living their “best lives,” making it a helluva lot easier to appreciate your own.
- The “Good Enough” Mantra:Repeat after me, “What I have is good enough.” It’s like telling your inner critic to take a hike because you’re too busy enjoying what’s in front of you.
- Random Acts of Kindness Roulette: Do something unexpectedly nice for someone else. It’s a double whammy of feeling good about making someone’s day and realizing joy doesn’t come from what you get, but what you give.
- The Comparison Cleanse: Every time you catch yourself comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel, drop and give me 5… compliments about your own life.
- Mindfulness Meditation: Spend a few minutes each day just sitting with yourself, no distractions. It’s like going on a date with your life and discovering all the things you love about it.
Practicing Santosha On the Yoga Mat
Practicing Santosha in asana (posture practice) doesn’t mean turning your yoga mat into a magical carpet where you just float away into blissful ignorance. Nope, it’s about embracing the suck, the wobbles, and the “I look like a drunken flamingo” moments with the same enthusiasm as your picture-perfect Warrior II.
Here’s how you can infuse a bit of this chill vibe into your asana practice:
- Ditch the Mirror-Mirror-on-the-Wall Attitude: Yeah, I know, we all want to look like those Instagram yogis with their perfect poses and designer leggings. But here’s the scoop: Yoga isn’t a beauty contest. Stop checking yourself out and comparing your Downward Dog to your neighbor’s. Your practice should be about how you feel, not how you look. So, if your leg isn’t as high as you want it to be in that Three-Legged Dog, who gives a flying f*ck? Embrace it, love it, and remember: It’s your unique journey.
- Thank the Bloopers: Did you just face-plant in Crow Pose? Congratulate yourself for having the balls to try. Every stumble is a step towards progress, and every face-plant is a reminder that gravity is still doing its thing.
Celebrate that sh*t! It means you’re pushing your limits and learning. - Breathe Like You Just Don’t Care: Seriously, your breath is like that chill friend who’s always there to calm you down. Use it. When you find yourself getting frustrated because you can’t twist yourself into a human pretzel, take a deep, long breath. Inhale positivity, exhale bullsh*t. Your breath will help you find ease and space in the pose, and more importantly, it’ll remind you to chill the hell out.
- Set Intentions, Not Expectations: Before you step on your mat, set an intention that’s rooted in self-compassion and exploration, not in nailing every pose. Maybe your intention is to stay present, or to move with grace and ease. Whatever it is, let that guide you, not the ego-driven expectation of perfection. Yoga is not a performance; it’s a practice.
- Celebrate the Tiny Victories: So, your hand touched your toe for the first time,
or maybe you managed not to think about tacos for a whole five minutes during meditation. Hell yeah! These are the moments worth celebrating. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small, and give yourself a mental high five. - Remember, It’s Just Yoga: At the end of the day, it’s just yoga. Not a life or death situation. Not a “I must achieve enlightenment or bust” scenario. It’s a practice that’s meant to support you, challenge you, and teach you – but not to stress you out. So, lighten up, have fun, and remember: It’s all good.
So, my yoga warrior, go forth with your badass self, sprinkle a little Santosha on your practice, and remember: the only person you need to impress on that mat is yourself. Now, go bend, stretch, and smile like the contented yogi I know you can be!
The Takeaway
Practicing contentment through Santosha is like becoming the badass boss of your own happiness. It’s about finding joy in the now, not when you’ve reached some arbitrary milestone. It’s a way to practice yoga off the mat and in your life, turning everyday moments into opportunities for peace and satisfaction. So, let’s raise our glasses (or yoga mats) to embracing the perfectly imperfect chaos of life, with a big, contented smile on our faces. Cheers to finding your inner chill!
