Ishvara Pranidhana: The Niyamas Series

Today begins our exploration of the 5th and final Niyama and concludes this series. Ishvara Pranidhana is the act of complete and total surrender to the divine force in our life.


Ishvara Pranidhana

The Yamas and Niyamas build you to this moment, they all work in tandem to guide you through your life so that you can arrive here. Surrender. The concept of surrendering to a higher power can be daunting and unfamiliar in western culture. The force that you surrender to is not the same for everyone and can be represented by the universe, life, a god, or many other things depending on your background and beliefs. 


The goal is to completely surrender the “good” and “bad” with the understanding that there is a higher purpose to all of your experiences. Have you ever had a bad day? A day where nothing went your way and it felt like even time was conspiring against you? Ishvara Pranidhana asks you to surrender the feeling of being a victim of the day and find a new perspective where maybe you are simply just a part of the day.


Letting Go

Have you ever been asked to hold a chair pose for an excruciating amount of time (looking at you Saturday morning class goers)? You encountered the feeling of building lactic acid in your legs and shoulders and you want more than anything to release the pose and find relief. When you are called to forward fold, there’s a freedom in that moment. Your legs may begin to feel less stress and maybe your mind begins to shower you with incredulity at how long you held out. That is what Ishvara Pranidhana wants for you. The practice of surrendering in every moment will grant you a sense of relief, of freedom, and maybe a sense of pride for the growth that allowed you to let go. 


Is there something right now that is constantly taking space in your mind? It may have even creeped into your body, presenting as musculature discomfort or sickness? What would it look like if you were able to let that go? Can you imagine the possibility of letting whatever it is transfer from you to the divine force in your life? The weight that is no longer yours to carry because you know you serve a purpose greater than to be buried in the things that hurt you. 


In Practice

You’ve heard it before in this series and you will hear it again now: start small. Choose one thing that has been bothering you and diminishing your quality of life. It could be as simple as traffic in your commute. What would it look like if you didn’t allow that traffic to bother you? You know it’s there and will be there everyday, but what if instead of being a nuisance it just was. Let go of labeling the traffic as good or bad and instead surrender your frustration. 


What would you have the time to notice during your drive if the space of annoyance and frustration was freed? Would you be able to see the beauty of the sun’s placement in the sky? Would you begin to recognize some of the cars beside you and feel a sense of community that you’re in this with the same crew as the day before?

End of the Series

As with any Yama or Niyama, this is hard work. It is never-ending and calls you for constant vigilance. It is also a work done in grace and understanding when things don’t always go to plan. It’s not meant to be perfect, it’s simply meant to help you find a greater peace and freedom while you are a participant of this world. 


Do not feel as though you have to let go of your emotions to practice this work. Yes it would be incredible if you only felt happiness and joy, but then you would lack empathy and connection to others. So don’t let go of feeling, but look to understand the why behind your anger, your joy, your worry, your every emotion. These are good things for your health and growth and even better things for your ability to seek better for yourself and others. The Yamas and Niyamas are not letting go and just becoming someone apathetic to the world. They are a practice and a guide for you to not fall into serving your feelings but to have them serve you and grow you. 


You are not alone in this process and you are incredibly brave for taking it on. If you would like more information on how to live out these two limbs of yoga, you can find a few resources here:


Intend to Shine,

The NuPower Tribe


Linda Fenelon