The second stage or limb of yoga as defined by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and is a collection of five observances or personal disciplines. The five niyamas are purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and living with an awareness of the Divine.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defined five niyamas or observances relating to inner discipline and responsibility. They are purity, contentment, self-discipline, study of the sacred text, and living with the awareness of God.