Satya

SATYA, or Truth

As mentioned last week, every Thursday at Go Yoga, we will discuss and apply to the asana practice the Yamas and Niyamas, or the "11 commandments of Yoga," as taught by Master Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.  This week, we will discuss Satya, or truth, and how it applies to our practice. 

In our every day practice, being truthful comes in numerous levels.  

Firstly, not lying.  Very simple.  Even JC taught us this.  If you do not lie, your mind is calm. Period.  Try telling a lie and having to keep up the lie.  It's exhausting.... 

Secondly, being true to oneself.  How does one achieve that?  By being truthful in our every day actions, so that all that comes from within us is true.  Having a good intention, being honest to oneself when it comes to our actions. Not lying to yourself....

For example, are you giving that gift to someone because you mean it, or because you would like somehting in return?  Is your smile real?  If you've taken a yoga class, most likely you have heard teachers say that everything should come from a place of love, or the heart. This is Satya, folks.  When you love, you do good deeds for those you love.  Your life is truthful.  

Applying truth to your intentions and every day deeds, one becomes clear about where one is coming from, finding full integrity within oneself.  One does not have to worry about anything, for in your conscience, you know you've done well....  

Lastly, in our asana practice, Satya can be applied in so many different ways.  I would like to think that satya should be approached in the mat by maintaining a peaceful practice.  Surrendering to how you feel, surrendering to your body and how it is at that moment, allowing the dialogue in your head to conclude to that- PEACE....   Being ok..  

Truthfully accepting where you are at the moment. 

I discuss the last part in my classes a lot for it took me years to have that "whatever" attitude.  It's not an easy attitude to get... And if you have a major injury or a major crisis going on in life, this latter manner of practicing truth is almost impossible.  Your mind barely cooperates...   

I once practiced yoga right after a break up.  I was on the verge of tears the entire time and felt crappy about "wasting" a yoga class.  Should I have surrendered, and cried, I probably would have enjoyed the yoga class.   Should I have been ok with the fact that I was sad, giving my emotion a label, so I can accept it, would have been the key.  Instead, I was like "ok, I'll take the class, I'm fine."  I was avoiding how I was feeling.  Denying myself of that truth...  

In conclusion, the first two ways to practice Satya are easy, they just need to be watched and approached as a practice, in literal meaning.   The last one- surrendering where we are, in the mat or off, is much harder.  But if we have been honest and loving in our everyday life, at least we have that part of us which we can surrender to and we know it's a good place.   Surrendering to the moment, becomes a little easier.  

With lots of love,

P