Many of the questions surrounding yoga stem from misunderstandings about what the practice actually is, what the postures mean, and what a person is—or is not—doing when they step onto the mat.

Yoga is more than movement—it’s a way of relating to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. One of the core teachings guiding that relationship is Satya, the practice of truthfulness. Like Ahimsa, Satya is one of the Yamas in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—ethical principles that shape how we live with integrity and awareness. But truth, as it turns out, is not always simple.

One of the foundational teachings of yoga is Ahimsa, a Sanskrit word often translated as nonviolence or non-harming. While simple on the surface, Ahimsa is a rich and nuanced concept that invites both compassion and discernment