Living Your Truth, One Breath at a Time

By Jennifer Kelleher

Autumn always feels like a season of honesty. The light changes, the air sharpens, and nature stops pretending it can keep growing forever. Trees release their leaves, flowers draw their energy back to the roots, and there’s a quiet clarity in the air. This month at Ocean Bliss, our theme is Satya & the Art of Letting Go: truthfulness, paired with the gentle practice of release.

In yoga philosophy, Satya means truthfulness. But it’s not about harsh confession or pointing out flaws; it’s about living in alignment with what’s real, within and around us. Off the mat, Satya can look like noticing when we’re overcommitted and choosing to say no, even when it’s uncomfortable. It can mean admitting to ourselves that a habit or relationship has run its course. Truth often arrives as a whisper, and our work is to listen before it becomes a shout.

Letting go naturally follows truth. Once we see what no longer fits, the next step is to loosen our grip. Sometimes release is quick– a single decision or conversation. More often, it’s slow and layered. Think of the way trees let go of their leaves: not all at once, but steadily, in rhythm with wind and weather. We can do the same, letting go little by little, giving ourselves compassion for the process.

Practicing Satya and letting go in daily life might mean cleaning out a closet that’s quietly weighing you down. It could be setting clearer boundaries with your time so you’re not stretched thin. It might even mean updating the story you tell yourself about who you are, allowing for growth beyond old labels. These acts free energy for what truly nourishes you.

The yoga mat is a surprisingly practical training ground for this. Each pose asks, What is true in my body right now? If you honor that truth (choosing steadiness over strain, breath over force) you strengthen your ability to live honestly in the rest of your life. And every exhale is a mini letting go, a chance to release tension, expectation, or the pressure to be perfect. The more we practice releasing in movement and breath, the easier it becomes to release outdated patterns outside the studio.

As the season deepens, consider weaving these reflections into your routine: (1) Morning check-ins: Before coffee or email, pause to ask, “What is real for me today?” Let that shape your choices. (2) Weekly edits: Pick one small thing (an unused item, an overbooked appointment, a thought pattern) and gently let it go. (3) Compassionate honesty: When speaking your truth, imagine offering it as a gift, wrapped in kindness. These simple rituals create space for fresh ideas, relationships, and experiences to enter… much like clearing a garden bed so new growth can take root in spring

At Ocean Bliss, we love watching these inner and outer shifts unfold. Whether you join a weekly class or a special Wednesday workshop (this month we have sound bath, yoga nidra, moon circle, and transformational breathwork) our community is here to support your journey toward clarity and freedom.

If you’re ready to explore Satya and the art of letting go in a deeper way, come unroll your mat with us. An hour of mindful movement and breath can reset your nervous system, lighten your heart, and remind you that every honest exhale creates space for something beautiful to begin. Sign up at www.oceanblissyoga.net; call or text me at 917-318-1168.