Dr. Svoboda explains the Sanskrit word saṃtoṣa, “santosha,” or contentment, in this short video.

In saṃtoṣa, sam means in all directions or thoroughly. Toṣa comes from the root tuṣ, which means to be satisfied or contented. Saṃtoṣa therefore means being satisfied or contented in all directions, in every way.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes five niyamas, one of which is saṃtoṣa. The implication is that anyone who wishes to perform yoga sādhanā should begin with contentment and satisfaction within before embarking on the path of yogic transformation.