I love teaching yoga. It is my passion and has given me a foundation for growth, elevation and the ability to expand my beliefs beyond what I thought I knew. I used to have limited thoughts, sometimes still do; however, yoga has helped me believe there is more than I might think. It has opened my mind to the unknown, instead of fearing it.

I have been teaching yoga for seven years now and there is a reason why many of the people that I went to training with are not teaching or don’t even practice anymore. It is not for the faint-hearted and it is not everyone’s destiny. Which is okay.

As a yoga teacher, I believe that it is important for me to stay true to the integrity of the practice and devote my time and energy to the authenticity of this mind, body and spirit connection.

Here are 3 reasons why practicing Satya (non-falsehood) are so important:

1. Without truth, we have nothing.

How I made it to yoga was just like most of our stories, I had a previous belief system that I needed to be at war in order to live life to my full potential. I had to face that truth to change it. I remember lying down on my mat during a hot yoga class and crying my eyes out as I wept about a romantic situation that I had been forcing myself into. My truth at that time is that, he and I were more in battle than in union and I felt it in my body every time that I practiced.

Even though I practiced yoga 5 times a week, I had been running away from this truth- which I needed to face because until I came to terms with what I had to, I wasn’t truly living. Sometimes we think that running away from honesty means that we are strong but the truth always catches up to us and we understand that it is brave to face it and stop running away.

2. Wellness is based on reality.

Honestly, I haven’t always been well as a yoga teacher and I have had times where I have been a hypocrite because I have spoken from a place of asking others to be at peace and face their truth when I have done the opposite. I have had moments when I have taught tired, annoyed and while going through some serious emotional pain.

One day, I was in class and felt so depleted that I could hardly speak. This was a sign that I needed to be honest with myself and let go of the need to be right and above others when I am human. Especially because I teach, I need to be truthful with myself and face if I am unwell so that I can become well.

3. Being authentic helps us align with our purpose.

I have been traveling and along my travels, I take class at different studios. I recently practiced at a boutique studio outside of The U.S. and heard conversations in the changing room after a magnificent class. Another teacher had mentioned how her mentor was missing and my instinct was to ask if he was okay. Which I did. My question was followed by an answer that he was okay, then the teacher said that her mentor had told her all of his teachings and now she was able to teach and take his place.

I was in shock because instead of showing compassion, she used this as a platform to promote her class. Which seemed very inappropriate. It was a learning lesson for me that, there is a time and a place. Being a teacher can be competitive because we are not always sure if we can get numbers up and develop a steady following which can sustain a class that we have been given. In these past seven years, I have learnt that if I am truthful and teach from a place of integrity and devotion, students will show up. I can encourage people to take my class; however, there is no need to force anyone to take my class because forcing only repels people from my intention.

Not everyone will take my class and that is okay. I would rather have students who are genuinely interested in yoga and what I have to offer than those who don’t want to be there anyways. I will not force, lie and compete to have anything and anyone in my life- and that carries into my yoga practice and teachings.