Yesterday I posted a picture of the 8 Limbs of Yoga.  The Niamas are the more personal and internal guidelines of living.
Svadhyaya is the Niamas that speaks about self study.  It is looking inside and learning about ourselves.  It is being honest about who we truly are.  It is  through our yoga practice, our times of quiet, prayer, meditation and just being open to listening and watching ourselves that we make discovers about ourselves.  With these discoveries we grow and change becoming a better person. 
Some days our discoveries are very personal.
Others days its just about discovering how to better serve ourselves so we function better.
Last Wednesday I discovered a way to make myself work through my Wednesday evenings with more energy.  I get home from work on Wednesdays around 6PMish.  I give some attention to Neely (my cat) before putting away my work stuff and starting my usual Wednesday night house cleaning.  Well...usually I find myself on the recliner, watching TV...feeling slow, and tired.  Eventually, I get up and slowly and with great remorse, begin my cleaning.  Meanwhile I munch on snacks, as I wait to eat with my husband at 9:30PM (ouch!).  Last week, I did sit in the recliner, but this time with a good snack and my swim lesson and yoga lesson outlines (and the cat).  I ate and worked on my lessons.  When I had finished, I was relaxed, rested and nourished.  I vacuumed with more energy and it went a lot faster (and less munching).  I even had time to do a little yoga as dinner cooked!  Today, I will try the same process as I feel this eating/relaxing/writing time really encouraged a more positive, energetic and productive me.
Please share any of your self-learning experiences

Last week in our yoga practice we learned the Fish Mudra.  I picked this mudra because it is for osteoarthritis and the health of our joints.  It also "cultivates relaxation and serenity." (Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian Le Page)
Sit yourself comfortably, relaxing shoulders and allowing your arms to relax at your sides.  Bring the fingers of both of your hands together with thumbs extended.  Stack the right hand on top of the left with thumbs extended.  Hold your hands in front of your abdomen or relax them onto your lap.  Relax and breath.  Try repeating, "Bathed in waves of nourishing energy, my body moves freely and comfortable" as you hold the Matsya Mudra. (Mudras page 22)

This is a gentle and relaxing 26 minute yoga practice using a chair.  No standing or balancing in this practice.
Give it a try!