Patanjali’s 2nd Yama is Satya. Translated from Sanskrit into English it means "truth" or "correct”. It can also be defined as ”sate hitam satyam” or “The path to ultimate truth or Sat as sathya, the real truth.” Philosophically, satya means that which is unchangeable and is ever constant. If we follow this train of thought, then anything that changes is not true. However, that which doesn’t change is true, i.e., our Higher Nature, True Nature or Self.

On a simpler and worldlier level, satya is commonly regarded as right speech. However, according to Patanjali, it must be offered in such a manner that harms no being and is therefore anchored in the 1st Yama, ahisma. Considering ahisma as the cornerstone of all our thoughts, words, and actions, it stands to reason that even truthful words which could cause harm to another should not be spoken. However, since our nature as human beings is for action, it is always advisable to do some deep thinking and soul searching to see if the need to speak is for the higher good of another or for our own selfish interest. Our ultimate intent behind any thought, word or deed should be to bring harmony to our environment. Patanjali asks us to think about the consequences of our actions and to slow down and carefully consider our words so that when we choose them, they are in harmony with the first Yama, ahimsa. Patanjali believed that no words could reflect truth unless they come from a place of non violence. It follows that all thoughts, words, and deeds which take us closer to our higher self, reflect the true qualities of satya.

Patanjali’s idea of satya goes along with the teachings of the Buddha when He said that before we speak we need to ask ourselves; Is it truthful? Is it necessary? And, will what I say hurt another persons feelings? Maya Angelou also voiced these thoughts when she said, “Most people will not remember what you said or what you did. But they will remember how you made them feel.”

The true experience of the practice of satya is such that, “An ordinary man is said to be truthful when his words correspond to the facts of which he speaks. But when a man becomes perfected in truthfulness, he gains control, so to speak, of the truth. He no longer has to ‘obey’ the facts; facts obey him. He cannot think or even dream a lie; everything he says becomes true. If he blesses someone, that person is blessed- no matter whether the blessing was deserved or not.” (“How to Know God,” translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood, p148-149) When truly practiced, satya becomes a force that moves from deep within our heart and brings peace to all who come near.

In our home practice and in class, being honest with our selves is practicing satya. We can learn how to assess ourselves honestly without judging and comparing ourselves to the other students around us. We all have our gifts and we all have our challenges. None of us are exempt, not even the most accomplished yogi. I can remember many times when I have walked into a workshop only to hear the teacher mention some injury that he or she has sustained in their own practice. The minute we forget to practice ahisma, we can open the door to possible injury. However, we also need to work up to our potential through looking at our whole pose. By seeing and feeling truthfully, we can make the smallest changes that can open the pose into true splendor. When we bring satya into our practice, we align our head with our heart and energy begins to flow with the breath. We come to the place of “Ahhhh. This really feels wonderful!”

When you begin your practice, keep in mind the energy in and around your throat chakra. As we learn to keep our head and neck in alignment with our shoulders, we can find the balance to create and speak the truth. To see what happens when this energy line is off balance, notice how your throat constricts in times of anger or extreme tension. Notice how you can cut off your heart energy and function only from your mind. How do you feel when this happens? Usually the outcome is anything but positive. However, when we mix anger with even the slightest amount of heart, our words are gentler and the outcome less destructive.

Yogis knew the power of the throat area and said that the upper most bandha, the Jalandhara Bandha was located at the throat center. It is at this point that energy moves between the neck, the shoulders, the mouth, the thyroid and the parathyroid glands. You can access this area by sitting in pranayama and using Jalandhara Bandha. On the exhale, lower your chin to your chest and gently hold the breath. On the inhale, raise the head. This can be done a few times as long as no pressure is felt in the head or pain in the back of the neck. If you start to feel pressure, stop holding the breath between the inhale and exhale and use a continuous flow.

In your poses, try to keep your ears in align with your shoulders. You can also create a slight smile which helps to bring the head and neck into proper alignment. Since the psoas muscle also works in energetic harmony with the throat muscles, do poses that lengthen the psoas such as Lunge, Warrior, Humble Warrior (in Lunge, clasp hands behind the back, raise arms behind you as you fold forward, head moving toward the floor), Extended Side Angle, Triangle, and Downward Facing Dog. Remember to keep your head and neck in alignment without jutting your chin forward. Then you can try revolving some of these poses and see if you can maintain your alignment while twisting to the opposite side. You can also practice Forward Bends either standing or on the floor. Try to come into the forward bend without leading with your chin but keeping your head in one continuous line with your spine. A backbend like camel also uses these same alignment principles of the head, neck and chin. Try to maintain a calm, smooth, even breath as you come into the backbend of camel. Smile!

No matter what poses you choose, the alignment of your head, neck, and shoulders help keep your heart connected to your head and thinking brain. And when this occurs, you can begin to soften and find your own satya in the pose.

As a lifelong advocate of both physical fitness and spiritual growth, Francesca finds the practice of yoga a natural. She began studying yoga seriously 6 years ago when first introduced to the philosophy and alignment principals of Anusara Yoga. She is now a registered SOYA yoga instructor with a RYT 500 designation with the Yoga Alliance and is a faculty member of the South Okanagan Yoga Academy in B.C. Canada. She says, “Taking the seat of the yoga teacher is a gift and a responsibility given to me by my teachers. I take this position seriously since I now function as both student and teacher. My desire is to share my love of yoga and the philosophy that enlivens it with all my students.” She encourages people of all ages, shapes, and sizes to come to class and enjoy the many benefits of a yoga practice. You can email Francesca at francesca.shree@me.com or visit her website for more information at www.shreeyoga4u.com