Trusting Inner Wisdom Through Yoga
In today’s world, knowledge is always at our fingertips - endless facts, opinions, and advice just a scroll away. I’ve often caught myself chasing answers, thinking that if I just read one more article, watched one more video, or asked one more person, I’d finally have clarity. And yet, the more I reached outward, the more restless I felt.
There were moments when I realized that my seeking had become a kind of avoidance. Instead of feeling my own emotions, sitting with my own thoughts, or listening to the quiet nudges of my body, I was running - scrolling, reading, comparing. It’s strange how easy it is to mistake information for wisdom.
Yoga philosophy has offered me a lifeline in these moments. Its teachings remind me that the answers I’m searching for often don’t live outside - they live within.
And now, when I notice this urge to seek externally, it often serves as a quiet reminder: I’m probably avoiding seeing something for what it really is, avoiding an internal check-in, or sidestepping feelings I’d rather not face. And yet, not all questions need answers right away. Some truths unfold with time, with experience, with presence.
Three Yogic Principles That Ground Me
These principles come from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the broader framework of yogic philosophy, which is divided into ethical guidelines (Yamas and Niyamas), physical practices (Asanas), breathwork (Pranayama), and meditation (Dhyana). Aparigraha, Santosha, and Svadhyaya are part of this ethical and reflective foundation, offering guidance on how to live mindfully in a world overflowing with stimuli.
1. Aparigraha (Non-Grasping)
I used to believe that the more I learned, the safer, smarter, or more prepared I would feel. Aparigraha gently asks me to let go of that compulsion. Not everything needs to be collected or solved. Sometimes, wisdom unfolds with time, patience, and presence.
Aparigraha is one of the five Yamas - the ethical restraints in yoga. Traditionally, it teaches us not to cling to possessions, relationships, or outcomes. In a modern context, it also applies to knowledge, information, and certainty.
How to practice it:
Notice when you feel the urge to “collect” answers, read more, or over-prepare. Pause. Ask: Do I need this right now?
Limit your consumption of news, social media, or information that pulls you outward unnecessarily.
Practice contentment in not knowing - trust that clarity often arises with patience, reflection, and lived experience.
2. Santosha (Contentment)
It’s so easy to look around and feel like we’re not enough. Santosha has been a quiet teacher, inviting me to pause, breathe, and be present with exactly where I am. The realization that “I am enough” is more liberating than any article or answer I could find.
Santosha is one of the five Niyamas - the personal observances. It encourages us to cultivate inner peace and acceptance, to be content with what is, rather than constantly striving for more.
How to practice it:
Begin with gratitude - acknowledge what you already know, have, and feel.
In moments of uncertainty, remind yourself that not knowing everything is okay. Some answers unfold naturally.
Use your breath as a tool: a few deep, mindful breaths can anchor you in the present, easing the restless urge to seek externally.
3. Svadhyaya (Self-Study)
Turning inward isn’t always easy, but Svadhyaya has shown me its rewards. Reflection, awareness of my body and breath, noticing my thoughts - these are practices as tangible as any yoga pose. Through them, I’ve discovered that my body, my mind, and my intuition carry knowledge far deeper than facts on a screen.
Svadhyaya literally means “study of the self” and is also part of the Niyamas. Traditionally, it includes the study of sacred texts, but it primarily invites reflection and awareness of our thoughts, behaviors, and habits. The essence is turning inward for wisdom rather than relying solely on external sources.
How to practice it:
Journaling, self-reflection, and meditation are direct ways to observe your mind and body.
Notice patterns: when do you reach outward for answers instead of trusting your own intuition?
Use your yoga practice as a mirror: during asanas, notice sensations, limitations, and insights that arise within the body.
Remembering the Wisdom Within
Our bodies are made of the same five elements that shape the world - earth, water, fire, air, and space. Our breath carries the stories of those who came before us. Our spirit is ancient, holding truths that no external source can teach.
Learning to pause, to sense, to listen, has shifted my relationship with knowledge. I still love learning, but I’ve begun to trust that some answers don’t arrive from outside - they emerge from my own experience, my own being.
The journey inward isn’t about rejecting information - it’s about knowing when to stop seeking and start sensing. When we do, the quiet wisdom we’ve been carrying all along finally comes into view.
