Santosha – practicing contentment in yoga and everyday life
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One of the greatest challenges of the modern world is not lack, but a constant feeling of dissatisfaction . There could always be more: more success, more money, more time, a better body, a more peaceful life. However, the philosophy of yoga recognized thousands of years ago that the source of real suffering is not what we don’t have – but our inability to arrive at what we do have .
Santosha , the second principle of the niyamas, teaches exactly this: the art of contentment .
What is Santosha?
Santosha is a Sanskrit word meaning contentment, inner satisfaction, acceptance . It does not mean passivity, nor does it mean that we do not have goals. Rather, it means an inner state in which external circumstances do not determine our peace of mind .
According to Patanjali:
“Practice of santosha brings unparalleled happiness.”
This happiness is not euphoria, not constant joy, but a quiet, stable sense of inner security .
Santosha is not the same as complacency.
An important misunderstanding is that contentment is often confused with renunciation. Santosha does not mean:
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don't develop,
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don't change,
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don't strive.
But it teaches that:
As you move forward, don't lose sight of the present moment .
You may have plans, desires, goals – but they do not determine your self-worth.
Santosha in yoga practice
On the mattress, santosha shows itself very honestly.
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when you don't compare yourself to the person practicing next to you,
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when you're not angry with your body because it works differently today,
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When you accept that a pose is “enough” for today, it’s not perfect.
Santosha here means:
you respect where you are now .
Yoga practice is not strong every day, not deep every day. And that's okay. Santosha allows the practice to be not about performance , but about connection with yourself.
Santosha in everyday life
In everyday life, santosha is perhaps even more of a challenge. We live in constant comparison:
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the lives of others,
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other people's bodies,
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the successes of others.
Practicing contentment in these situations does not mean denying the difficulties. It means not fully identifying with them .
Santosha can be, for example:
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to give thanks in the morning for what you have before focusing on what you lack,
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to notice the little rituals: the warmth of a tea, a calm breath, a quiet moment,
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Accept that you don't always have to be "ready."
Why is Santosha especially relevant around Christmas?
The holiday season often does not bring peace, but:
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expectations,
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overload,
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compliance,
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comparison.
Santosha is an internal reminder in this case:
It doesn't have to be a perfect holiday to be real .
Inner peace does not depend on the amount of decorations, the number of gifts, or the tasks completed. It depends more on how present we are in what is happening .
How to practice Santosha consciously?
Some simple yet profound exercises:
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Gratitude journal : 3 things you are grateful for every day – even if they are small.
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Slowing down : a consciously slowed down activity each day (tea, walk, stretching).
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Self-talk observation : how do you talk to yourself when you are having a “not good enough” day?
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Less comparison : conscious presence on social media as well.
Santosha and conscious living
Conscious living – whether it's yoga, Ayurveda or sustainability – is all built on the same foundation: contentment with what is already available , not a constant desire for what is still missing.
Santosha helps:
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reduce internal tension,
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strengthen self-acceptance,
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finding joy in everyday rituals.
This is the inner quality that gives you long-term stability , not just a momentary good feeling.
Ayuna Ritual tip – Santosha in practice
Create a simple, repetitive ritual that isn't tied to performance. A calm yoga practice, a short meditation, or a quiet moment in the morning can help you focus on "enough" rather than "more."
