8 Limbs Yoga & Oils: Satya
Oh childhood heroes. Anne Shirley was one of mine. I loved this snippet of the show that aired in 1985. Yup, 1985. I was 6 and simply enamored with this fiery girl with the never-ending imagination. Ms. Stacy, Anne's teacher, tells her, "No matter what anyone else accuses you of, in the end the truth will set you free".
Pause for sigh of contentment.
Pause for sigh of contentment.
image courtesy of www.anneofgreengables.com
Satya is often translated as truthfulness, yet truth and truthfulness is a lot more than simply not telling lies. And really, if we're not honest with ourselves first, it's that much harder to be honest with others.
We often base "truth" on our thoughts, emotions and moods, but these can and often do change. We often refer to them as fluctuations of the mind. Truth is more of an unchangeable thing, and it if often something we feel, something we just know in our heart or our gut. It's also something we have perhaps the hardest time with personally, being honest with ourselves. We have ignored our own truths to fit in, stay safe, or avoid conflict. We have seen ourselves and others use untruths for personal gain.
The Sutras state, "Dedicated to truth and integrity (Satya), our thoughts, words, and actions gain the power to manifest". Lets reframe that.
We often base "truth" on our thoughts, emotions and moods, but these can and often do change. We often refer to them as fluctuations of the mind. Truth is more of an unchangeable thing, and it if often something we feel, something we just know in our heart or our gut. It's also something we have perhaps the hardest time with personally, being honest with ourselves. We have ignored our own truths to fit in, stay safe, or avoid conflict. We have seen ourselves and others use untruths for personal gain.
The Sutras state, "Dedicated to truth and integrity (Satya), our thoughts, words, and actions gain the power to manifest". Lets reframe that.
Truthfulness and Integrity Create Personal Power
On the mat there are many ways we can practice Satya:
- Notice resistance in the body. Our biography lives in our body. There is a reason heart opening poses can evoke strong emotional reactions. Notice them and let yourself feel, even express them
- Honor your body. We all have an edge. They are all different. Our own edge can vary from day to day. Tune in to your body and what you find satisfying in a pose or class
- Listen to your breath. The breath is a huge signal as to whether you are honoring your body and noticing resistance. Find yourself holding it? Feel like it's gotten away from you? Pause and intentionally breathe.
- Noticing resistance in the body! Our true feelings are usually accompanied by physical sensations. Does your stomach feel tight? Do your shoulders feel heavy? Pay attention to your physical response and take time to understand the emotion behind it
- Know when to hold 'em. Just because we feel we have a truth to share doesn't mean it needs to be shared. What are our motivations for sharing? Is based on love and harmony? Then add in Ahimsa and make sure you deliver truths with kindness. Is it based on our ego? You might want to hold your tongue
- Watch your words for a morning. Both those to yourself and others. Are they kind? Necessary? True?
- Be gentle. With yourself, your kids, your partner, your co-workers, the driver that flipped you off. Know that their truth may not be yours in that moment. Be willing to listen without judgement or assumption.
Yoga & Oils Satya Challenge
Today's yoga and oils challenge encourages you practice truthfulness and integrity with:
Oil: Frankincense
Mudra: Kali mudra
Pose: Anjaneyasana (low lunge)
Sequence: Sun Salutation, low lunge with Kali mudra, half split
Intention: I share my truth and accept the truth of what is
Oil: Frankincense
Mudra: Kali mudra
Pose: Anjaneyasana (low lunge)
Sequence: Sun Salutation, low lunge with Kali mudra, half split
Intention: I share my truth and accept the truth of what is
Frankincense is the oil of Truth. It invites us to let go of deceptions and negativity, creating new perspectives based on light and truth. It is a powerful cleanser of spiritual darkness, helping to pull barriers from the mind and the heart. Frankincense connects the soul with it's inner light.
You can use Frankincense in the diffuser, the palm of the hand, on pulse points or on the third eye. It is fantastic to use to settle into a class or personal practice, as well as during savasana to close a class or home practice. It's also wonderful for meditation.
You can use Frankincense in the diffuser, the palm of the hand, on pulse points or on the third eye. It is fantastic to use to settle into a class or personal practice, as well as during savasana to close a class or home practice. It's also wonderful for meditation.
The Hindu Goddess known as Kali represents destruction, transformation and death. She’s all about destroying dark and makes way for the light. Kali is fierce, strong and powerful, and to embody her in this mudra is a great way to feel empowered during your yoga practice. Use this mudra to release tension, rid yourself of negativity and thought patterns that not longer serve you.
Anjaneyasana, or low lunge, is a great pose for opening up the hip flexors and the chest. It can also be really helpful for sciatica. Low lunge develops stamina and endurance in your thighs, improves your balance, concentration and core awareness. All that in a little lunge! It's also a pose that is easy to over do, so here are some tips:
- from standing, exhale palms to the mat and step one foot back, check that your front foot is directly beneath your front knee to keep healthy alignment
- drop that back knee to the mat and inhale arms overhead in Kali mudra, arms can stay in line with the ears or as your spine allows you can reach back to create an arch
- pause and take a breath or two here before exhaling palms back to the mat
- step back to a plank position and then find downward dog before stepping the opposite foot forward to repeat on the the second side
Anjaneyasana Sequence: I tend to use this sequence towards the beginning of a class, usually after a sun salutation or two. I find it's a gentle way to ease into more intense poses.
Did you try Frankincense, today's pose, sequence or other suggestions to practice Satya? Comment below and let us know! Don't forget to share your experience on Instagram using #EightLimbsChallenge and #yamachallenge and tag me so I can check it out! @alifethatglows.
- inhale sweep arms up, exhale forward fold, plant the palms on your mat and step one foot back, dropping the knee to the mat
- inhale sweep arms overhead in Kali mudra, pause and take 1-2 breaths
- exhale bring the palms to the mat and walk the hands back to a half split hamstring stretch, inhale lengthen through the spine, exhale fold over the outstretched leg
- inhale and walk the hands back to the top of the mat, exhale stepping back to a plank position
- inhale push the floor away as you pull in through the core, exhale lift your hips to downward dog
- inhale drawing the opposite foot forward between the palms and repeat the sequence on the second side
- instead of plank, step your feet together at the top of the mat, inhale half lift, exhale fold, inhale sweep arms overhead, exhale palms to heart center
Did you try Frankincense, today's pose, sequence or other suggestions to practice Satya? Comment below and let us know! Don't forget to share your experience on Instagram using #EightLimbsChallenge and #yamachallenge and tag me so I can check it out! @alifethatglows.