Svadhyaya places the responsibility of learning on the shoulder of the individual.  Yoga is known as a “living philosophy” and the sadhaka (practitioner) sits at the feet of a guru (teacher).

Svadhyaya – or self-study – asks of a yogi to become a compassionate observer of Self.  To have devotion in aligning all of ones actions and non-actions to become balanced, of highest awareness and from this state of being, having a constant willingness to grow and learn and adjust to become more and more whole, more and more united from the inside out. This brings inner harmony and harmony with life and all of its experiences and difficulties.  It brings a higher understanding and a level of absorbing what is, without unnecessary illusions.  A quick and intelligent grasp of what is and what isn’t.    This process of reflection opens a gateway to living a life of divinity.  Constant reflection sharpens the intuition.  It brings a stability and fluidity of spirit.

Furthermore, Svadhyaya implies a continued effort towards self-education.  To seek the knowledge from sacred texts, from your guru, from reflecting on experiences to move away from ignorance and to gain more and more knowledge.  Experience and knowledge become the essence of your personal liberation from whatever it is that bonds or ties you down.  Svadhyaya is a never ending process with ongoing shifts in consciousness.  There is a beginning to this journey but no ending.

Learn, apply, adjust, grow.  Become more and more aware of every breath that you take, every motion you make, become completely contained and unscattered.  The asana practise is an undeniable tool in growing, with self-love as the basis, in self-awareness.  Off the mat, read with an eagerness and steadiness uplifting poetry and sacred texts.  Seek people that enhance your learning, a guru.  Love and Respect the experiences of life, even the difficult ones, Love and Respect the ones that give of their knowledge.  Honour the Ones before us, for the precious gifts of lessons learned and to be learned.