The second of the yamas, or moral restraints, as described by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is satya. Satya is truth. Speaking truth. Living truth. Embodying truth.
Straight from the Sutras:
satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam
As truthfulness (satya) is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the Yogi.
Truth, in this sense, requires a lifting of our own veils of self-deception. The relationship between ahimsa and satya is crucial, for nonviolence must always prevail. I have heard many times that when speaking the truth, one should exercise the following mental checklist:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it kind?
3. Is it necessary?
Thank you so much for reading. I designed the following asana sequence with satya in mind.
pranayama: Lion Mudra. breathe in throught the nose as you lift the bum off of your heels. breathe out through the mouth audibly as you extend the tongue and return the bum to the heels.
Sunflowers: the upward motion on the inhalation, the forward fold on the exhalation.
wide-stance adho mukha svanasana. come into this posture from prasarita padottanasana and walk the hands forward. lean back.
writer stretch. modify this with a belt, scarf or yoga strap.
surya namaskar, modified.
lizard, eka pada kapotasana preparation, dolphin.
parsvottanasana, vrksasana, standing ardha dhanurasana.
adho mukha svanasana, eka pada kapotasana, supta virasana, pascimottanasana, janu sirsasana, parivrtta janu sirsasana.
jathara parivartanasana, savasana.
om.om.om. shanti.shanti.shanti.
Great post!I posted a link to your cakravakasan pic on Flickr – thank you!NadinePS that cowl you are wearing in your Vira 2 pic? Freakin awesome.
Nadine, Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. Your blog is AWESOME!