What is your word of the year? Do you have a single focus or feeling you want to develop in 2023? Or do you like to pick a color to evoke an intention for the year?

I really enjoy this kind of stuff. I typically start in October, thinking about how the year has gone so far, how I want to finish out and how I want to transition into the new year. In my family, New Year’s was sometimes held to higher regard than Christmas, and the day has always been filled with ceremony to welcome in luck, prosperity, and peace for the coming 365 days. So now, as an adult, I like to have a word, a color, a catchphrase, and then watch how the year presents more ways to incorporate these into my life and work.

This year, I’ve chosen the yogic practice of SVADHYAYA, or Self Study. It’s parts of the Niyamas (Nischela Joy Devi calls Niyamas the “Evolution Toward Harmony”) So you’ll hear me bring up the concept often throughout this year.

But today I want to chat about the first Niyama: SAUCA. Originally translated as PURIFICATION, it has been considered a practice in cleanliness. And while that still holds, it is also being presented as a practice in simplicity, in refining and paring down what isn’t necessary. Decluttering your house is a way to clean it, deciding what tasks must be done and which are just busy-ness is a way to refine your day.

“Through simplicity and continued refinement, the body, thoughts, and emotions become clear reflections of the Self within. Sauca reveals our joyful nature and the yearning for knowing the self blossoms.”

–Devi, The Secret Power of Yoga, p 205

So as we start our practice of self study, it is a good idea to begin by “cleaning house.” Take a look at your hygiene routines and rituals. Is there anything you could do more of? Less? How would it help your day to have established times for these routines? Then look at other ways you can simplify and refine. How you dress, how you eat/drink, where you spend your time, things like that. How do simple natural surroundings make you feel? What are your favorite clothes and why? Apply my very favorite acronym: K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple & Sweet

One more thing about Niyamas in general. I like to think of them as a framework for really good self care. Taking good care of yourself involves hygiene and loving mindfulness in all things. Causing yourself as little harm as possible, finding ways to release stories and trauma when you can, getting help when you need it, and finding comfort and contentment with the environment around you. That’s why I want to go over them this month and show how they aid in self-study.

NEW VIDEO ON DEMAND

This week’s new video is a replay of the VINYASA class.

The 60-minute practice was designed to focus on SAUCA, or Simple Refinement. Taking things at a slower pace to bring awareness to the subtle connection between breath and movement, this video will guide you into a place of self-study (svadhyaya) where you can feel more connected and balanced in body-mind-heart.

Check it by CLICKING HERE

FREE ON YOUTUBE

If you are looking for a shorter version of this SAUCA class, enjoy VINYASA FOR WINTER, the most recent yoga class on the YouTube channel. 30 minutes long and steeped in the inner focus, you’ll love how calm and clear you will feel after connecting with your breath as you move the body with intention.

BEHIND THE SCENES

I am still getting to know my new community and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the classes I am teaching in person. Each day and each class is unique, each experience helps me grow as a teacher and as a yoga-therapist-in-training.

I’m also starting to see clients for yoga therapy through an internship online. If you are interested in having one-on-one yoga therapy sessions, reply to this email and we’ll set up a time to chat!

I just started reading Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes and I’m struggling. Have you read this book? What did you think?

That’s it from me! I truly hope your week is full of ease, peace, and love.

From my heart to yours,

–Viviane Wolfe

www.vivianewolfeyoga.com

500RYT, yoga-therapist-in-training