Why Sadhana Might Be the Practice Your Soul’s Been Craving

Hey there,

During our yoga teacher trainings, we teach from the foundation that yoga is more than what we do on the mat.

Yoga is a way of life.

Cultivating the habit of daily practice is an integral part of moving from doing yoga to being yoga. Everything can be yoga: making your bed, sending out a blessing to a loved one, having a conversation with your child, creating a movement class for students. Being able to extend our practice off the mat and into the world relies on us having a strong foundation from which to draw from. 

How do we anchor ourselves in something steady and nourishing in a world that moves fast and often pulls us in a dozen directions?

Finding something grounding and meaningful can feel like a lifeline in a world full of deadlines, distractions, and digital noise. 

That’s where Sadhana comes in; a sacred daily ritual rooted in the yogic tradition that offers grounding, clarity, and a gentle yet powerful shift in the way you meet each moment.

What Is Sadhana?

Whether it’s ten minutes of breathwork, a morning meditation, a silent cup of tea, a few sun salutations at sunrise, journaling, or lighting a candle before bed, the magic lies in showing up for yourself each day. Sadhana is your personal toolkit for growth, healing, and spiritual clarity.

The word Sadhana comes from Sanskrit, meaning “a means of accomplishing something.” In yogic philosophy, it refers to a consistent spiritual practice that connects you with your highest self. But this isn’t about rigid routines or dramatic gestures, it’s about personal, intentional, daily commitment.

Sadhana isn’t about perfection, and it’s about devotion. It isn’t about how long or impressive your practice is, and it’s about showing up daily. With veneration. With purpose. With love.

Traditionally done during the pre-dawn hours (brahma muhurta), Sadhana sets the tone for everything that follows. Your practice becomes a stabilizing force through consistency and intention, helping you feel more connected, calm, and aligned in your daily life.

The Benefits of a Daily Spiritual Practice

The power of Sadhana is in its repetition. Each day you show up, you strengthen your willpower (tapas), sharpen your awareness, and connect a little deeper to your inner truth. This consistent effort compounds over time, like spiritual interest accruing in your soul’s bank account.

Sustaining a Sadhana teaches us patience and perseverance. Some days will feel blissful, others mundane. But every session, even the hard ones, becomes a thread in the strong fabric of your life. Showing up on the tough days teaches resilience. Over time, your Sadhana becomes a mirror, a medicine, a lighthouse.

In fact, those challenging days often teach us the most about ourselves. The act of coming back to your practice day after day, especially when you “don’t feel like it,” strengthens an inner resilience. It’s been said that Sadhana is a self-victory; each day you overcome the inertia or excuses that might otherwise keep you from practicing is a small victory over the ego’s resistance. This isn’t a no pain, no gain mentality, more like a reminder of how finding our limits and recognizing our own self-limiting beliefs is the first step of how we can break them down and carve out a larger comfort zone and a more positive self-image. 

Yoga and the Many Forms of Sadhana

Sadhana is not one-size-fits-all. Yoga is one of the most accessible and transformative tools for Sadhana. Asana (movement), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation offer direct ways to quiet the mind and nourish the body. But your practice might also include chanting, prayer, spiritual reading, journaling, or a mindful walk.

The key to any Sadhana? Do it with intention, and do it daily. That’s how your practice becomes your lifestyle, not just something you “fit in,” but something you’re formed by.

Here are some ways you can build it into your life:

• Asana (Yoga Postures): A gentle flow in the morning, or restorative poses at night.

• Pranayama (Breathwork): Alternate-nostril breathing, box breathing, or even a few mindful sighs.

• Meditation (Dhyana): Sit quietly for 5–20 minutes, observing the breath or repeating a mantra.

• Mantra/Chanting: Recite a sacred phrase or affirmation to calm the mind and open the heart.

• Prayer or Intention Setting: Begin or end your day with gratitude and conscious intention. Our article on why gratitude can change your life is here and it’s well worth a read!

• Journaling: Reflect on your feelings, dreams, or simply track your practice. Great free journaling resources here!

• Svadhyaya (Study): Read a few lines from a spiritual text or listen to an inspiring talk.

• Mindful Activity: A silent walk, mindful tea drinking, or creative expression with full presence.

Your Sadhana can be one practice or a blend. It can shift with the seasons of life. The most important part is doing it with awareness and regularity.

How to Fit Sadhana Into Your Daily Life (Even if You’re Busy)

Yes, life is busy. But Sadhana is adaptable. Here’s how to get started.