Svadhyaya or self study is an essential and integral part of yoga. Svadhyaya is the fourth of the five niyamas in the 8 limbs of the Ashtanga system. Sva means "self" and adhyaya means investigation, inquiry, or education. Asana practice requires self inquiry in the process of observing our bodies, breath, and thoughts. As we focus in each asana, we have a chance to see how the breath and emotions have responded. Gradually, we learn more about who we are, the bodies we live in, the emotional habits we have adopted and our reactions to challenge and to stillness. Self inquiry also includes the study of yogic texts. Reading yogic texts is a way for each individual yogi to interpret the texts in a way that is personally meaningful and connect to the tradition and philosophy of yoga. The whole process of yoga requires this self reflection.