Curiosity: January 2026
Begin with Curiosity at Moonflower Yoga & Ayurveda Studio in Brookfield
As the calendar turns and a new year opens before us, there can be a subtle pressure to decide — to set resolutions, define goals, and chart a path forward. But this January, instead of rushing to improve or reinvent ourselves, we’re inviting something gentler and deeper: curiosity.
In yoga philosophy, this kind of curiosity is known as Svadhyaya, the practice of self-study and self-inquiry. Rooted in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Svadhyaya is not about fixing what’s “wrong,” but about listening closely to what’s already here. Svadhyaya asks us to pause and wonder: What do I truly need right now? What is my intuition quietly asking for as I step into this next turning of the year?
Rather than setting rigid resolutions, Svadhyaya offers a more intuitive approach to New Year intentions — a living conversation with ourselves that unfolds over time.
From Comfort to Curiosity
Last month, our theme was Comfort — creating a sense of safety, ease, and steadiness in our bodies and lives. In yoga and mindfulness practices, comfort is not indulgence; it’s the foundation that allows us to soften our guard and breathe more fully. From this place of inner stability, we find nervous system regulation—and true self-inquiry becomes possible.
When we feel safe, stable, and at ease, we can look inward without fear. We can begin to ask honest questions without bracing for criticism or shame.
This month, curiosity grows directly out of comfort. We might ask:
What do I need to feel grounded and supported right now?
Where in my life am I craving more ease, stability, or softness?
What conditions help me feel safe enough to listen inward?
By tending first to comfort, we create the inner spaciousness required for Svadhyaya self-study — the kind that feels nourishing rather than overwhelming.
Svadhyaya: Listening Instead of Pushing
Svadhyaya literally means “self-study,” but it’s less about analysis and more about attentive listening. In the Yoga Sutras, this practice is offered as a path toward deeper understanding and alignment — a way of connecting with truth through reflection and awareness.
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” -The Bhagavad Gita
In the Bhagavad Gita, we’re reminded that yoga is an inward journey — one that moves through the layers of the self toward deeper knowing. Svadhyaya helps us sense where our actions are aligned with our values, and where we may be moving out of habit, expectation, or fear.
At the beginning of a new year, this might look like getting curious instead of prescriptive:
What rhythms feel supportive to me right now?
What am I being asked to release — not because it’s “bad,” but because it no longer feels true?
What wants more space, more nourishment, more care?
Rather than deciding who we should be this year, Svadhyaya invites us to notice who we already are — and what’s asking to be honored.
Practicing Compassionate Curiosity
An essential part of Svadhyaya is how we observe ourselves. This practice is rooted in compassion, not judgment. Curiosity without kindness quickly turns into criticism; true self-study requires gentleness.
This month, we’re practicing compassionate curiosity — meeting our thoughts, emotions, and patterns with interest rather than blame. When something uncomfortable arises, we might soften the inner voice and ask:
Can I be curious about this, instead of harsh?
What’s underneath this reaction?
What might this part of me be trying to protect?
On the mat, compassionate curiosity might mean noticing how we respond to challenge or rest without labeling ourselves as “good” or “bad.” Off the mat, it might look like observing our habits, boundaries, and desires with patience, allowing insight to unfold naturally.
Living Svadhyaya This Year
Svadhyaya isn’t something we complete — it’s a relationship we cultivate. A beautiful way to cultivate curiosity and self-study is through journaling. I invite you to pick one or more prompts from the list below, open your journal, and begin this new year with curiosity.
As we move into this new year, we invite you to let curiosity — not pressure — shape your path. Let comfort be your foundation. Let compassion be your lens. And let your intuition be your guide.
This January, may you listen more closely than you decide.
May you question with kindness.
May your curiosity lead you toward a way of living that feels steady, honest, and deeply your own.
In comfort, compassion, and curiosity,
Katie