THE YAMAS & NIYAMAS SERIES - SVADHYAYA

Sara West
Mar 28
2 min read

Svadhyaya: The Practice of Knowing Yourself

There’s a part of us that’s always watching, always listening, always learning—quietly asking: Who am I beneath all of this?

In yoga, this deep turning inward is called Svadhyaya—the practice of self-study. It’s one of the five niyamas in Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it invites us to come home to ourselves—not just once, but again and again.

Svadhyaya in the Sutras

In Yoga Sutra 2.44, Patanjali writes:“Svadhyayad ishta devata samprayogah” Through self-study, one comes into union with the divine within.

Svadhyaya isn’t about becoming someone new.It’s about remembering who you already are, beneath the conditioning, the survival strategies, the roles and expectations.

It’s a quiet, ongoing conversation with your inner world.

Beyond the Mirror

Svadhyaya can look like studying sacred texts or mantras—but it also includes journaling, meditation, therapy, breathwork, or simply pausing to ask: What am I feeling right now? Why am I reacting this way? What do I need?

It’s the act of turning toward yourself with curiosity instead of criticism.

And that’s not always easy. For many of us—especially those carrying trauma—looking inward can feel like unfamiliar territory. There may be parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to hide, deny, or silence. Svadhyaya says: You don’t have to fix it all. Just be willing to see it with kindness.

Self-Study Is Self-Honouring

Svadhyaya doesn’t mean analysing yourself to exhaustion or obsessing over every emotion. It’s not about being your own critic—it’s about becoming your own companion.

It's about listening. Noticing patterns. Observing thoughts. Asking: Is this belief mine, or something I inherited? Is this reaction rooted in the present—or in the past?

It’s about meeting yourself where you are—with honesty and tenderness.

Practicing Svadhyaya in Daily Life

Here are a few gentle ways to explore svadhyaya in your own rhythm:

Journal freely. Let the words pour out without trying to sound wise. Trust what arises.
Pause and notice. What sensations are present in your body? What emotion is here beneath the surface?
Read or reflect on something meaningful. A line of poetry. A verse from the Yoga Sutras. Let it land. Let it speak to your life.
Name your patterns without shame. Awareness is the first step toward healing. You’re allowed to grow gently.
Ask, “What am I learning about myself today?” No pressure. Just observation.

Svadhyaya in the Studio

At Wild Soul Studio, we don’t just practice movement—we practice meeting ourselves.In the quiet of breath, in the stillness of savasana, in the unexpected emotions that surface in a pose—you are always invited to notice, not judge.

Each visit to your mat is a chance to listen inward.To ask, Who am I today? And to respond with compassion.

So this week, maybe take a few minutes to pause and gently ask: What am I learning about myself in this season? No need to fix or figure it all out. Just witness. That’s where the magic begins.

With warmth,

Sara 🙏