Sadhana (साधन)

The Practice of Showing Up for Yourself

Yoga is so much more than what happens on the mat. It is a practice of self-discovery, a way of living, and a journey towards understanding ourselves a little more deeply.

When we think about yoga, it is easy to think about the physical practice. The postures, the breath, the strength, the flexibility, the moments of stillness at the end of class. These are all important parts of the journey, but they are just one part of a much bigger picture.

Yoga has the potential to change the way we see ourselves, the way we relate to others, and the way we move through life. And this is where the idea of sadhana comes in.

What is sadhana?

Sadhana is a Sanskrit word that describes a spiritual practice, a disciplined and intentional commitment to personal growth, self-study, and spiritual development.

It is the practice of showing up, not simply to move our bodies, but to turn our attention inwards. To become curious about who we are, how we think, how we behave, and what it means to live with greater awareness.

Sadhana might include asana (the physical postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, mantra, prayer, the study of sacred texts, or acts of service. It can also be found in the quieter moments of everyday life, in the way we speak to someone when we are frustrated, the choices we make when nobody is watching, or the willingness to pause and notice our own reactions.

It is not about doing more, being perfect, or achieving some ideal version of ourselves.

It is about creating the space to know ourselves more honestly.

And that is a practice in itself.

Yoga is more than the physical body

Our physical practice can be a wonderful teacher. We learn to notice sensation, to work with our breath, to recognise our habits, and to meet our own limitations with a little more compassion.

Perhaps we notice that we hold our breath when something feels difficult. Maybe we become frustrated when a posture does not look the way we think it should. We might discover that we are constantly comparing ourselves to the person on the mat beside us.

These moments are not interruptions to our practice. They are our practice.

The mat gives us an opportunity to observe ourselves in a contained space, but the real learning often happens when we take that awareness into the rest of our lives.

Can we recognise when we are pushing ourselves too hard? Can we sit with discomfort without immediately needing to escape it? Can we respond rather than react? Can we offer ourselves the same patience and kindness that we so readily offer to others?

Yoga invites us to explore these questions, not to judge ourselves for the answers, but to become more aware of them.

In yogic philosophy, this journey extends beyond the physical body and into the mind, our sense of self, and ultimately our relationship with something greater than ourselves. Different traditions describe this in different ways, but the invitation is much the same: to look beyond the surface and begin to understand what lies beneath.

The practice of self-study

One of the principles of yoga that I return to again and again is svadhyaya, often translated as self-study.

Self-study asks us to pay attention. To become students of our own lives.

This might mean observing our thoughts during meditation, noticing the stories we tell ourselves, or reflecting on the patterns that shape our relationships. It might involve studying yogic philosophy, reading sacred texts, spending time with a teacher, or learning from people whose lives and wisdom offer us a different perspective.

It also means being willing to question ourselves.

Why do I react this way? What am I holding on to? Where am I acting out of fear rather than love? What am I learning about myself through this experience?

These are not always comfortable questions, and we do not need to have immediate answers. In fact, the willingness to remain curious, rather than rushing to a conclusion, can be one of the most valuable parts of the journey.

Sadhana is not about becoming someone else. It is about gradually seeing ourselves more clearly, with honesty, humility, and compassion.

Discipline, without punishment

The word discipline can sometimes feel heavy. We might associate it with strict routines, self-denial, or the idea that we must push through discomfort to prove our commitment.

In yogic philosophy, tapas is often understood as discipline, dedication, or the inner fire that supports transformation. It is the willingness to make space for what matters, even when it would be easier not to.

But discipline does not have to mean rigidity.

Some days, our sadhana might be a strong physical practice that challenges us. On other days, it might be ten minutes of quiet breathing, a few rounds of sun salutations, or simply sitting still long enough to notice how we feel.

There will be days when practice comes easily, and days when it feels like the last thing we want to do. There will be periods of consistency, and periods when life takes us in another direction.

This is where I think it is important to remember that yoga is not another thing to get right.

We do not need to turn our spiritual practice into another measure of our worth. We do not need to compare our journey with someone else's, or believe that a missed day means we have somehow failed.

Instead, we can learn to return. Gently, honestly, and without judgement.

Sometimes the discipline is in showing up. Sometimes it is in knowing when to rest.

Both require awareness.

Finding your own path

In many yogic traditions, the relationship between student and teacher is deeply significant. A teacher can offer guidance, share knowledge, challenge our assumptions, and help us see what we might not yet recognise in ourselves.

The Sanskrit word guru is often used for a spiritual teacher, and within traditional lineages the relationship between guru and student can hold profound meaning.

Teachers can be important companions on our journey, but our path is also deeply personal. No one else can do our practice for us. No one else can tell us exactly what our experience must mean.

We each arrive at yoga with different histories, bodies, beliefs, experiences, and needs. What supports one person may not be what another person needs at a particular point in their life.

This is why I believe it is so important to approach yoga with curiosity rather than a desire to follow every instruction unquestioningly. To learn from teachers, to explore the philosophy, to ask questions, and to notice what resonates with us.

We can respect the traditions from which yoga comes while remaining honest about our own experiences. We can be open to learning without feeling that we must have everything figured out.

The journey is not about collecting knowledge or trying to become the most devoted student in the room. It is about allowing what we learn to influence how we live.

Sadhana in everyday life

One of the things I love most about yoga is that it does not ask us to leave our lives behind in order to practise.

We do not have to retreat to a mountain, spend hours in meditation, or create a perfect morning routine to begin exploring sadhana.

We can begin exactly where we are.

We can take a few conscious breaths before responding to a difficult message. We can practise ahimsa, non-harming, by being kinder to ourselves and more thoughtful in our interactions with others. We can practise gratitude by noticing what is already here, rather than always reaching for what comes next.

We can listen more carefully. We can become more aware of the impact we have on the people around us. We can make time for stillness in a world that constantly encourages us to be busy.

We can learn to recognise when our actions are aligned with our values, and when they are not.

And when we get it wrong, as we inevitably will, we can begin again.

This, too, is yoga.

Our practice does not end when we roll up our mat. In many ways, that is where the real work begins.

A practice of returning

For me, sadhana is ultimately about the relationship we build with ourselves and with the world around us. It is a commitment to remain curious, to keep learning, and to make space for something deeper than the constant noise of everyday life.

It is not a destination, and there is no finish line.

There will always be more to learn, more to question, and more opportunities to practise living with awareness. We will move forwards, circle back, discover something new, and sometimes find ourselves right where we started.

That is all part of it.

You do not need to know everything about yoga philosophy to begin. You do not need to meditate for an hour each morning, master a particular posture, or have a clear idea of what spirituality means to you.

You simply need a willingness to pay attention.

To show up as you are. To meet yourself with honesty. To remain open to learning.

And to return, again and again, to the practice of being present in your own life.