Yogani,
I have understood, so far, svadhyay, as study of the scriptures (vedas, bible, koran, upanishads,etc), and study of the self (interospection). Though I used to read a lot of books a few years back, after actual practices, I found that many give you parts of the whole, sometimes without the clarity required to put them into practise. Reading a lot sometimes can give one a lot of mental satisfaction at the cost of experience that actually fosters growth. Like seeing a film about a huge roller-coaster that dwells a lot on the experience on each rider, and discusses the effects, and the science behind it... but well, you might just get vicarious satisfaction out of it instead of being inspired to go experience the ride. But yes, while doing the practises, a book like the Bihar School Yoga's 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandh, by Swami Satyananda Saraswati' help you get clarity on what you are doing, make corrections, and review things from time to time. Lessons like yours are good to read, because they do the same thing too, besides driving you actively to practise something. Though I am tempted at times, I therefore, avoid picking up books, especially the popular story-based variety. But again, that's not to say that they won't open up certain doors in somebody. Maybe I am here because I read my share of Carlos Casteneda, Jonathan Livingston, and so on some time back.
Sadhak
