Practice Satya and Live Your Truth
What is Satya?
Satya means truthfulness and the obvious part of it is don’t lie. Tell the truth. Be honest. Something we can all agree on and are aware of. Much like each of the Yamas and Niyamas there is much to uncover underneath these surface level translations.
Here are 4 journal prompts to get you thinking deeper about Satya:
What is your true nature? Sat is more than truth. It means unchanged. Pure.
How are you living? Are you living your truth? What does that even mean to you?
Are you being yourself in every situation? Or do you have to change how you show up in different areas of your life? And if so, is that working for you or does it feel forced?
How can you create a life where your essence and who you are remains pure and unchanged regardless of your external circumstances?
I encourage you to take some time and sit with these questions. Write or type out your thoughts.
The truth hurts / you can’t handle the truth!
We’ve all heard this saying before, right? Satya, however, is not about brutal honesty. It must be practiced hand in hand with our first moral discipline - Ahimsa. Speak truth with kindness and compassion. When it comes to self, being truthful will likely mean saying no to a lot of things - whether it’s people, social commitments or asanas - that don’t resonate with you. This can be difficult because, out of kindness and compassion, we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Let’s use ourselves as an example. In your yoga practice, it might hurt your ego to skip a pose. There can be that feeling of wanting to “DO” the practice and get through everything the teacher says. However, taking a childs pose when your body feels fatigued even though the class is moving through another Sun Salutation is a way to honour your truth and be kind to yourself. Your ego is hurt but your soul’s needs are met.
Form an outward perspective it you may say yes to something or someone from a place of people pleasing. You don’t want to disappoint them or have a fear of being judged by them. So you show up anyways even though you don’t want to and you know it’s not aligned with you. We all do this from time to time. Those moments where we “should” ourselves into doing stuff for others. It comes from a good place. We want to be selfless. We want to be of service. We want to be there for people in our lives. AND It can be easy to sacrifice our own truths in order to keep up with it all. In these type of situations I like to remind myself of the oxygen mask example on an airplane - put your own mask on first before helping others. If we never put ourselves first it can eventually deplete us and increase chances of burnout and poor health. This is easier said than done as our inner critic will most certainly point us towards selfishness and guilt if we prioritize our own needs.
It’s all a balancing act. Each yoga practice is different, each situation you encounter will be different and require you to act with discernment and adaptability. While there are no right or wrong answers, this practice is designed to spark a sense of inquiry and curiosity within.
Here are a few practical ways you can tap into the power of Satya on and off the mat.
Satya On the Mat
In yoga, much like with Ahimsa, honesty with yourself is crucial. Being true to yourself means allowing the grace to rest when needed and to skip poses when necessary. Constantly pushing to your edge without regard for your body’s needs indicates a lack of Satya and Ahimsa. This is why if you get injured in a yoga class, you weren't truly practicing yoga. Your breath and body never lie.
Honest Self-Assessment in Asanas:
During your yoga practice, be real about your physical limits and capabilities. Did you have a tough workout the previous day? A poor nights sleep? Extra stress in your personal life? Work life? Be honest about your physical and mental capacity and avoid pushing yourself into shapes that might cause injury or leave you even more depleted than when you walked in. Tap into feeling and let go of the desire to achieve/accomplish. This allows you to build a safe and sustainable yoga practice.
Mindful Breathing (Pranayama):
Pay attention to your breath and be honest with yourself about its natural rhythm. If breath becomes choppy and isn’t flowing naturally that’s a cue from your body to change something up. Dial it back and listen to the language of your body. It doesn’t lie.
Authentic Intention Setting:
At the beginning of your practice, set an intention that genuinely reflects your current needs and desires, rather than what you think your intention should be. I like to align it with something I can work on off the mat. I often choose single word intentions like love, patience, ease or grace. This helps align your practice with your true self, making it more meaningful and impactful.
Satya Off the Mat
Self-Reflection and Journaling:
Carving out time without distractions to write and reflect gives space for you to be honest about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. It helps to awaken the teacher within 😉. This isn’t just a slogan for my website. The more you practice, the more you deepen your self-awareness and understand what your true nature is. Through silence and stillness, we can see complete truth.
Aligning Actions with Values:
Ensure that your daily actions and decisions reflect your core values and beliefs. There can be many socially expected or convenient situations you find yourself in where desire and peer pressure overrule your values.
Authentic Interactions:
As mentioned above, the obvious one. Be genuine. Speak truthfully and honestly.
Embracing Satya and Ahimsa
In essence, living your truth through Satya and Ahimsa means embracing authenticity, prioritizing self-care, and practicing mindful stillness. It’s a journey of inquiry, acceptance, and continuous growth towards a life that reflects your true nature. It doesn’t mean you’re perfect or that you won’t make mistakes of hurt others along the path. You’re human. Give space for the whole experience of life to show through.
I ‘truly’ hope you found this information helpful and supportive for your yoga practice on and off the mat. Thank you so much for reading and, if you feel called, leave a comment or thought below.
Namaste ✌🏽&🤎