This week's featured yama, or observance from yoga philosophy, is Satya, truthfulness.

As I noted last week, the practice of yoga goes far beyond the physical pose practice; the postures are just one of 8 limbs of the 8-fold path of Ashtanga Yoga that together create a way of living. The 8 limbs are: Yama, restraints; Niyama, observances; Asana, the physical poses; Pranayama, breathwork; Pratyahara, sense withdrawal; Dharana, concentration; Dhyana, meditation; and Samadhi, a sense of unity or bliss. And of course, we can find a mudra or hand gesture to complement each guideline.

The 8-fold path comes from The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. I am also referencing the books The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele, and Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage.

As always, please reach out with any questions, comments or feedback.

With warmth and gratitude,
Barb

🕯️ Featured Yama: Satya – Truthfulness

Satya is the practice of truthfulness. This practice encourages us to live authentically and with integrity. Satya reminds us that truth is not always loud or rigid, it can be fluid as we change and grow, or depending on the situation, it may be quiet and gentle, and it may feel uncomfortable at times.

The highest form of Satya is more than simply not telling lies. It is living from our authentic self and expressing ourselves truthfully. This can feel challenging, especially when we feel the need to be accepted or to stay silent out of fear.

Sometimes people ask, what if truthfulness causes harm? Ahimsa, non-violence, guides how Satya is expressed. Honesty is not about being sharp or reactive, it's about being clear, compassionate and conscious. Ahimsa teaches us how to live our truth.

Some helpful questions to use in daily life are: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

When truth is rooted in non-harming, it becomes a force for healing rather than division.

Some journaling prompts for exploration:

• When I pause and listen, what feels most true for me right now?

• Where in my life am I honoring my truth? Where might I be holding back?

• How can I express my truth with both clarity and kindness this week?

• What truth about myself am I ready to gently acknowledge?

• Where do I say “yes” when I really mean “no”?

• What shifts when I allow myself to live more honestly?

🫶 Featured Mudra: Samputa Mudra - Gesture of the Treasure Chest for Cultivating Truthfulness - Satya

Why practice it: Samputa means "treasure chest", and this mudra represents creating a sacred vessel for intention, healing and truth. Use this gesture to awaken to your own sacred truth, and to foster the ability to communicate your truth, even when that is challenging.

🙌 How to Practice Samputa Mudra

• Hold the left hand, slightly cupped, around your navel.

• Rest the cupped right hand over the left, creating a protected space within the hands.

• Relax the shoulders back and down, with the forearms resting against the body.

Affirmations:

“I hold my truth with care and compassion.”

"I let compassion shape my expression."

"I trust myself to know when and how to share."

🧘‍♀️ When to Use

Use this mudra during meditation or pranayama - breathwork, or anytime you wish to cultivate gentle self-trust.