Svadhyaya
Hello Friends!
The Niyama we are exploring this week is Svadhyaya, typically translated as self-study. Turning inward and exploring our own thinking, habits, and experiences allows us to move from mindless, habitual reactions to mindful, thoughtful responses. We are so often stuck in patterns that once served us for protection or survival, but have now created barriers to our growth and happiness. Engaging in svadhyaya is our opportunity to explore and actively choose what we want to hold onto and what we want to let go of. The practice allows us to continually grow and evolve becoming more and more of our true, authentic selves. Meditation, journaling, and retreats are a few examples of opportunities to practice svadhyaya either on our own or with the support of others.
There will be no Saturday Morning Yoga class this weekend as I travel to North Carolina for a yoga retreat, my own svadhyaya practice, with my friend Michelle Voeller of Natural Harmony Healing & Spiritual Fellowship. Michelle offers seasonal women’s beach retreats that a wonderful, nurturing ways to shift seasons.
Be sure to join me Saturday, October 4 for our next Full Moon Sound Bath as we rest and relax in the energy of the full moon.
The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion via Zoom starts on Sunday October 12. In this 6 session course you will learn to use the skills of mindfulness to develop the inner resource of self-compassion and enhance your capacity for emotional wellbeing. More course details are available below and on my website. 9 hours of CEs available. I will also be offering the full MSC course over 10 weeks through the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Continuing Education on Tuesday evenings beginning October 7 with 20 CE hours. Register at Mindful Self-Compassion 10 Week Course.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for an in person Winter Solstice Mini-Retreat for Rest & Renewal on December 20 from 3-5 PM at Harmonist Sanctuary, Denver.
EDUCATORS! Registration is open for next summer’s Mindfulness Retreat for Educators. Space is limited, so sign up early!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Full Moon Sound Baths
October 4, 3-4 PM
November 1, 3-4 PM
Mindful Self-Compassion 10 Week Course
Tuesdays 6-8PM MT (No Class 11/25/25)
20 CE hours through the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work
Course Investment - $500
The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion
Sundays 10/12/25 - 11/23/25 12:00-1:30 PM MT (No class 10/26/25) via Zoom
Course Investment - $225
Certificate for 9 Continuing Education (CEs) hours
Saturday, December 20 3-5 PM MT
Harmonist Sanctuary, Denver
$50 per person
Mindfulness Retreat for Educators -
June 13-17, 2026
Certificate for 35 Continuing Education (CEs) hours
Remember to check out the FTBW Gear page and order your Finding the Balance Within, LLC logo gear. I love mine! Get yours and join the fun!
I would love to offer you an individual or group Reiki and/or Sound Healing session to support your own wellness journey. Contact me for scheduling options - lisa@findingthebalancewithin.com. Gift certificates to share with others are also available.
As always feel free to practice with previous recordings of Saturday Morning Classes as well as Evening Chair Yoga on my Youtube channel.You may also enjoy a growing variety of meditations I have available on the Insight Timer app that you can access for free, the latest is a Chakra Clearing Sound Bath. I’d appreciate your offering a rating on the meditations as well. Additionally, my friend Kate continues to offer live online classes Monday and Wednesday mornings from katekelly.yoga.
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease. ~ Lisa ♥️