Be Real. Be Kind. Be True.

Truthfulness.

I thought over the next few weeks I would share some more of my personal take of the Yamas and Niyamas, ethical guidelines within the path of yoga. I previously wrote about the first Yama Ahimsa (kindness) here.

The principles of yoga are important off our mat as on our mat. To embody the practice of yoga, we must live these principles off our mat too. Otherwise, all we're doing is stretching and calling it yoga. Yet when we combine breath, meditation, compassion, Yamas and Niyamas that paints a whole other picture.

Today, we shall discuss Satya the second Yama. The Yamas are outward observances that govern how we show up in this world in the lifestyle of yoga. The Yamas and Niyamas are like the building blocks of a structure. First, you lay Ahimsa (kindness) then layer (Satya) truthfulness on top. That's not to say one should not practice truthfulness until they have kindness down pat. Instead, it says that a life lived with kindness in your heart will soon seek out a life of truth.

In the yoga sutras, Patanjali states 2.36: When you commit to telling the truth, you will always get the result you are seeking from your actions.

If truth brings you results then dishonesty will bring uncertainty.

Satya shows up in life every single day. For me, it shows up in a few ways.

1 - How I talk to myself. Is what I am telling myself true? Can I *really* not do that thing I've been putting off? Is it true that my words are spoken with 100% honesty and no false claims? How am I deflecting from my truth?

2 - Boundaries. What is the cost of saying yes to this thing that I really don't want to say yes to? How would no fit instead?

3 - Tuning in to what I truly need. Instead of telling myself a story about doing more, being this version or showing up in this way how can I stop the noise and the clatter and listen to my own truth?

None of us likes to think of ourselves as dishonest. We don't lie, we don't harm. But it often sneaks in. How many times do we fabricate the truth? Exaggerate what really happened? Overplay, or downplay a scenario? Do something we know we shouldn't have done? So. Many. Times. Daily, most likely.

The relationship we have with ourselves is the longest, most important relationship we will ever have. It's also the one we have ultimate control over, one we can mould to fit the situation. As children, we are told to be nice. But, what does being nice really mean? What does it cost? Being nice often means playing small by not wanting to hurt others feelings. Being nice means saying yes when you mean no. Being nice means staying put and smiling through the heat that burns in your belly that's screaming at you to get out. Being nice keeps you in a box, tightly confined within the expectations of others, wrapped up in a bow of guilt and shame for daring to even dream about stepping out.

Being R E A L however? There is where the good stuff lies. You can be real and kind. You can be real and honest. You can be real and thoughtful.

You can't be real and nice. Those two do not co-exist.

Because being real means you are honouring your own truth and what you value. Being real means you speak truthfully, from your heart. Being real means you honour your desires and wishes.

Being nice means you put others and their opinions before yourself.

Being real shows others that you will no longer abandon yourself.

Of course, without a base of kindness, a truthful life can become a lonely, isolated and angry life. A message delivered without kindness is often harsh and mean. That's why intent and impact are so important. Our words and actions carry impact and with the wrong intention will end up causing harm.

This piece is the hard piece, the piece many of us get stuck in and so throw in the ''real'' towel to seek comfort in the familiar Camp Nice. But, with all points of resistance, it is uncomfortable because it's holding you back from discovering what's on the other side - freedom. Authenticity. Yourself.

Boundaries set with kindness as their intention do not shut people out, they show them where the door is.

Judith Lasater, a shero of mine and one of this world's most special yoga practitioners asks - ''If you find yourself forcing in asana (or in any other area of your life) ask yourself, is this in the spirit of yoga or traumayama?''

I won't dissect this above statement for you. Instead, I invite you to pause and consider for yourself. Is how you show up on the mat serving you or adding harm to you?

When you step off the mat and engage in relationship with yourself and others, is that with the intention of filling yourself and your soul's cup or depleting you of the resources which reside within?

I will leave you with this; we are humans. We all mess up. We all do things we shouldn't do, despite knowing better. If this post brings up some feelings of shame for you then take some time practising forgiveness. Forgive yourself your actions, your words, your intention. The next breath you take is a new chance to start again. This time; try a slice of truth and see what happens.

Until next time loves,

Leonie x