“Rooted in Value: A Yogic Reflection”

Lately, the word value has been echoing through my days—arising in conversations, decisions, and quiet reflections on my mat. I find myself asking, “What do I truly value?” And how often do I pause to recognize my own inherent value?

I love that yoga teaches us that value isn’t something to be earned—it is something to be remembered. The ancient wisdom of the yogis and the Eight Limbs of yogic tradition offer us a path not just to inner peace, but to profound self-recognition.

Finding Value in this Ancient Practice

The first two limbs of yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical foundations of yoga, and they guide us toward living in integrity with our values. Satya (truthfulness) asks us to be honest with others and ourselves. Are our choices aligned with what we value most deeply? Santosha (contentment) reminds us that our worth is not tied to achievement or comparison, but arises from within. When we live from a place of contentment, we begin to honor the sacredness of our being just as it is.

Asana and Pranayama teach us to embody value. With each mindful movement and breath, we affirm: This body, this breath, this life—matters. Through practice, we become fluent in listening to our inner wisdom, recognizing that taking time for ourselves is not indulgence but an act of devotion.

In Pratyahara, the turning inward, we begin to withdraw from the noise that tells us we must do more or be more to be worthy. And as we move through Dharana and Dhyana—concentration and meditation—we develop the ability to stay with ourselves, witnessing the places where we’ve forgotten our value and gently returning home.

Ultimately, Samadhi—union—isn’t a distant goal, but a remembrance that our value is not separate from the divine. It is not measured by productivity or praise, but by the simple, radiant truth that we are.

In a world that constantly asks us to prove ourselves, yoga invites us to pause, breathe, and remember: We are valuable. Not because of what we do, but because of who we are.

A Few Journaling Prompts for a Deeper Dive into Finding Your Value:

What do I truly value in this season of my life?
Where am I living in alignment with those values—and where might I be compromising them?
How can I honor my worth more fully, both on and off the mat?

One Last Thing Before I Go…

When we begin to see value not as something to attain, but as something to uncover within ourselves, we move from striving to remembering. And in that remembrance, we begin to live in harmony - with our truth, with our choices, and with the sacred pulse of life.

Namaste -