How is "Niyama" defined in yoga?

Niyama is a key concept in the Eight Limbs of Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It encompasses personal observances and ethical practices that individuals adopt to cultivate self-discipline, inner peace, and spiritual growth. Niyama emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with oneself, facilitating a deeper connection to one's own values and ethics, which is essential for personal development and the practice of yoga.

This includes practices such as cleanliness (Saucha), contentment (Santosha), self-discipline (Tapas), self-study (Svadhyaya), and surrender to a higher power (Ishvara Pranidhana). Engaging in Niyama helps individuals align their actions and thoughts in a way that supports their yoga journey, enhancing both their practice and their lives.

The other options do not align with the definition of Niyama. A sequence of yoga poses refers to Asana; a breathing method relates to Pranayama; and group exercises pertain more to community practices than to personal observances, which are the essence of Niyama.