Daily Yogi’s Guide to Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

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Daily Yogi branch of Niyamas lower limb of yoga - Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishvara Pranidhana
Niyamas – Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishvara Pranidhana

2nd Limb of Yoga – Niyamas (Personal Observances) #4: Svadhyaya

The first 2 of the 8 Limbs of Yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas. There are 5 Yamas and 5 Niyamas, and we will take a full day on our Daily Yogi journey to focus on practicing each of the five. Niyamas (KNEE-ya-mas) are guidelines for our own personal habits or observances. Let’s take a closer look at the fourth of five Niyamas – Svadhyaya.

All about Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

What does Svadhyaya Mean? What is the translation of Svadhyaya?

Svadhyaya (svad-HYEYE-ya) literally translates from Sanskrit as reading or reciting to oneself, but is typically translated as self-study. Svadhyaya includes not only self-study, but also study of “sacred texts.”

What is Svadhyaya?

Svadhyaya literally translates from Sanskrit as reading or reciting to oneself, but is typically translated as self-study. Svadhyaya includes not only self-study, but also study of “sacred texts.” This includes the sacred texts of Yoga such as the Yoga Sutras where we take inspiration for Yogi Daily’s positive practices. This also includes reading or studying sacred texts of any and all world religions such as the Bible, Buddhist texts, or whatever religious or philosophical texts resonate with you.

How do I practice Svadhyaya?

My favorite Svadhyaya practice is keeping a journal! This becomes a tool for self-study and reflection.
Svadhyaya practice includes not only self-study, but also study of “sacred texts.” This includes the sacred texts of Yoga such as the Yoga Sutras. This also includes reading or studying sacred texts of any and all world religions such as the Bible, Buddhist texts, or whatever religious or philosophical texts resonate with you.

How to practice Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

How to practice Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

  1. Keep a journal

    I have found a journal to be one of the best ways to study and learn oneself, directly from yourself! Buy a guided or blank paper journal, or make a free online journal (password protect for privacy!) with LiveJournal or WordPress. If you already keep a journal or diary, start adding to your entries about this new journey you are beginning with us. Remember to include notes about both events and your feelings.

  2. Study a sacred text from Yoga

  3. Study any religion’s sacred text.

  4. Try Mantras

Asana Practices

Here are some Asanas (poses) and Asana series I feel embody the spirit of Svadhyaya! Click the images to learn to how perform the pose or more about the Asana style!

Please note this section is currently under construction – please check back soon for more!

Trikonasana - triangle pose - yoga pose girl sunny day yoga on the beach
Trikonasana – Triangle Pose

Meditation Practices

Here are some of my favorite meditations I feel embody the spirit of Svadhyaya!

Self-reflective Guided Meditation.

Positive Energy Guided Meditation.

Please note this section is currently under construction – please check back soon for more!

Svadhyaya Quotes

  • blue and orange ominous alpine sunset in mountains - self-knowledge self-mastery Quote: Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is true strength, mastering yourself is true power. - Lao Tzu
    Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is true strength, mastering yourself is true power. – Lao Tzu
  • mirror trippy pink and purple swirl gradient background - svadhyaya yoga journey self-reflection Quote: Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. - The Bhagavad Gita
    Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. – The Bhagavad Gita
  • mirror trippy orange and gray smoke cloud swirl background - svadhyaya yoga journey self-study self-reflection Quote: You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside. - Wayne Dyer
    You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside. – Wayne Dyer
  • blue sky with shadowy pine trees alpine sunset reflecting pink on snow capped mountain -svadhyaya self-study self-reflection Quote: You cannot have a meaningful life without having self-reflection. - Oprah Winfry
    You cannot have a meaningful life without having self-reflection. – Oprah Winfry
  • white sparkling snow in front of green and dark green snow covered pine trees in snowy alpine valley with snow-capped mountains - svadhyaya journal writing journaling self-study self-reflection Quote: Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. - Jen Williamson
    Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. – Jen Williamson
  • close up bright red blooming flower with basil leaves dirt and flower box in background - svadhyaya self-study knowledge Quote: To know yourself, you must sacrifice the illusion that you already do. - Vironika Tugaleva
    To know yourself, you must sacrifice the illusion that you already do. – Vironika Tugaleva
  • epic cloudy purple pink and glowing orange alpine sunset on winding road in mountains with darkened pine trees and snow-capped mountain peaks - svadhyaya self-study knowledge bhagavad gita scripture Quote: It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection. - The Bhagavad Gita
    It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection. – The Bhagavad Gita
  • mirror trippy green blue and purple swirl stellar galaxy star background - svadhyaya yoga journey self-study self-reflection Quote: Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is. - The Bhagavad Gita
    Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is. – The Bhagavad Gita
  • water fountain in sunny garden surrounded by green grass and beautifully manicured flowers and bushes - svadhyaya self-study positive thinking power of thoughts Quote: We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha
    We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. – Buddha
  • epic purple cloudy alpine sky in mountains with darkened pine trees and snow-capped mountain peaks - svadhyaya self-study knowledge Quote - Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn, and you will. - Vernon Howard
    Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn, and you will. – Vernon Howard
  • dry shrubs along waterline of blue alpine lake under cloudy sky - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: No one who does good work will come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come. - Bhagavad Gita
    No one who does good work will come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come. – Bhagavad Gita
  • orange and blue sunrise with glowing clouds and airplane contrails over colorado state park gray paved road with scattered green leafy trees - svadhyaya self-study positivity positive thinking Quote: Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you. - Mary Lou Retton
    Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you. – Mary Lou Retton
  • close-up bright green evergreen pine tree leaves - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates
    The unexamined life is not worth living. – Socrates
  • cool shot decordova sculpture garden outdoor artwork under bright blue partly cloudy sky - svadhyaya self-study learning goals Quote: We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal. - Bhagavad Gita
    We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal. – Bhagavad Gita
  • cool shot of midtown atlanta and stone mountain under cloudy blue sky with glass skyscrapers - svadhyaya self-study positive thinking power of thoughts Quote: Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is! - The Bhagavad Gita
    Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is! – The Bhagavad Gita
  • cool shot decordova sculpture garden outdoor artwork gray concrete stepped modern art under bright blue partly cloudy sky - svadhyaya self-study power of positive thinking Quote: If you are positive, you’ll see opportunities instead of obstacles. - Widad Akrawi
    If you are positive, you’ll see opportunities instead of obstacles. – Widad Akrawi
  • cool shot alpine creek with dark ground and snow covered mountains under bright blue partly cloudy sky - svadhyaya self-study learning journaling Quote: Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become. - Sandra Marinella
    Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become. – Sandra Marinella
  • cool perspective alpine landscape with highway road in the mountains under partly cloudy bright blue sky - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. - Dr. Seuss
    The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. – Dr. Seuss
  • cool shot of midtown atlanta lit up at night - svadhyaya self-study learning journaling Quote: Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind. - Natalie Goldberg
    Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind. – Natalie Goldberg
  • close-up colorful abstract multicolor art sculpture - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them. - The Bhagavad Gita
    Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them. – The Bhagavad Gita
  • cool shot of girl's shadow on colorful yellow ground painting outside of van goh painting from immersive exhibition - svadhyaya self-study learning goals Quote: One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men. - The Bhagavad Gita
    One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men. – The Bhagavad Gita
  • alpine forest with exposed dirt and rocks among dark green pine trees - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: Intelligent individuals learn from every thing and every one; average people, from their experiences. The stupid already have all the answers. - Aristotle
    Intelligent individuals learn from every thing and every one; average people, from their experiences. The stupid already have all the answers. – Aristotle

Want more Ideas for journal day?
Check our Journal prompts board on Pinterest!

Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!


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