What Does Santosha Mean in Yoga?

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing the next goal, milestone, or moment of happiness, you’re not alone. In a world that celebrates busyness + achievement, the yogic principle of Santosha invites us to pause, breathe, + appreciate what already is.

Santosha is the second of the Niyamas — the ethical observances outlined in yoga philosophy — and it translates to contentment. But in yoga, contentment isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about finding peace in the present moment while remaining open to growth.

Being content

Practising Santosha doesn’t mean you stop desiring more from life. It simply means you hold your desires alongside gratitude. You can want more while still being thankful for what you already have.

In a modern world that often says “you’ll be happy when…”, Santosha asks us to shift the narrative to “I am already enough.” It’s a gentle reminder that happiness doesn’t come from achieving more, but from being at peace with where we are — right now.

Acceptance + appreciation

On the mat, Santosha can be felt when we accept our bodies exactly as they are. When we release frustration in a challenging posture, we find space for compassion instead. Yoga Asana isn’t about the perfect shape; it’s about being present in the experience.

In meditation, Santosha invites us to let go of striving. To embrace stillness. To allow the mind to wander, and return without judgement. It’s an ongoing practice of softening into being, rather than doing.

Beyond the mat, we can weave Santosha into our daily lives — in the way we speak to ourselves, in moments of gratitude, and in how we respond to what we cannot control.

Gratitude for now + what’s coming

Santosha teaches us to find gratitude for both what we have and what’s yet to come. It’s so easy to live in a state of “I’ll be happy when…”, which often keeps us feeling stuck in lack. Practising Santosha helps us recognise that peace exists within us now — not somewhere out there in the future.

Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up or ignoring our dreams. It means acknowledging that while we can’t control everything, we can choose how we respond. This acceptance frees up energy, softens resistance, + allows us to focus on what truly matters.

The Bhagavad Gita reminds us not to seek happiness outside of ourselves but to find it within. As simple as it sounds, this shift in perspective can be deeply liberating.

Santosha, now

We often forget that the life we’re living right now is one we once dreamed of. When we practise Santosha, we celebrate our journey — how far we’ve come, and all that we’ve overcome along the way.

It’s not about settling; it’s about seeing the beauty in what is.
As the saying goes, “Happiness consists not in having much, but in being content with little.”

Here’s a simple affirmation to carry with you today:
“I step into all I want to be, while expressing gratitude for all I am + how far I’ve come.”

Santosha helps us live from gratitude, peace, + quiet confidence. It’s a daily practice — one that transforms how we see ourselves, our lives, + the world around us.

Learn more

Discover the meaning of Santosha + explore the other Yamas + Niyamas in the ‘Yoga Lifestyle Course,’ inside the ‘Inspired Club’ — your online space for yoga-inspired living — or through my other yoga-inspired lifestyle offerings.