Satya & The Art of Letting Go

By Jennifer Kelleher

October has a certain honesty about it. The air turns crisp, trees shed what they no longer need, and nature reminds us that release is not loss: it’s wisdom. This month at Ocean Bliss Yoga, our theme is Satya, or truthfulness, paired with the art of letting go. These two teachings walk hand in hand: one asks us to see clearly; the other asks us to trust what we see enough to release what no longer serves us.

In yogic philosophy, Satya is the second of the yamas (ethical principles that guide how we relate to the world around us). It’s not about brutal honesty or always saying what’s on your mind; it’s about living in alignment with what is real. Practicing Satya means noticing where we create illusions (about ourselves, our relationships, or what we think we “should” be) and choosing instead to stand in authenticity. When we live truthfully, we begin to recognize which stories, habits, or versions of ourselves are ready to fall away. That’s where letting go becomes an act of love rather than loss.

But truth is rarely tidy. It can be uncomfortable to acknowledge when something has run its course– a relationship, a job, a way of thinking, or even a role we’ve outgrown. Yet, every time we soften into honesty, we create space for something new to take root. Satya asks us: What is real for me right now? The art of letting go answers: And can I release everything that is not that?

You can begin exploring this theme in simple, grounded ways. In your body: Notice how it feels to move from truth rather than performance. On the mat, can you let go of striving to “look” a certain way in a pose and instead listen to what feels true in your body today? In your mind: Observe your inner dialogue. Are your thoughts rooted in fear, comparison, or expectation, or in honesty and compassion? Truth often whispers. Make space to hear it. In your life: Reflect on what you’re holding onto out of comfort or habit. Sometimes we cling to something simply because it’s familiar, not because it’s true. Ask yourself: If I were living from my truth, what would I release? What would I say yes to instead?

As the season shifts, allow this practice to extend beyond your mat. Speak words that feel aligned. Make choices that honor your heart, not your ego. Be honest with yourself about your needs, boundaries, and dreams– even when that truth asks you to change course. Living truthfully doesn’t mean having all the answers; it means being courageous enough to meet life exactly as it is.

When we pair Satya with the art of letting go, something powerful happens: we stop trying to control what should stay and what should go. We stop forcing and start flowing. Just as autumn leaves make way for new growth, truth clears space for what is real and lasting to emerge. Letting go, then, becomes an expression of faith– a belief that we are supported by something greater than our grasp.

For those who practice, this month I invite you to treat your yoga practice as a mirror. Notice what feels authentic and notice what feels like effort. Breathe into the space between holding and releasing.

Maybe your truth this season is that you’re tired and need rest. Maybe it’s that you’re ready to expand. Whatever it is, let your mat be a place where honesty and surrender coexist. Because when we root ourselves in truth and let go with grace, we make room for peace, connection, and deep, unshakable freedom.

Come explore Satya and the art of letting go with us this October at Ocean Bliss– on the mat, in community, and within yourself. Join me next Wednesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. for a sound bath on this theme. Sign up for all offerings at oceanblissyoga.net. Call or text me with any questions at 917-318-1168.