As a yoga teacher I often struggle with my ego wanting to prove that my tradition is "best" or "right". I have laughed out loud when I have heard an Ashtanga Practitioner say that "The only people who don't do Ashtanga are those who can't." I have heard from the Iyengar crowd that "Yoga in the Iyengar Tradition is the gold standard for yoga". These statements get under my skin and I find myself wanting to prove that my tradition is the best also. I am just as guilty. It is the ego hard at work for all of us. The ego is so good at making us better or worse then another.

My ego feels that if I do not defend my tradition, the misperceptions will live on. The pacifist approach is so, well.........passive! My heart feels that if I do talk about why I feel the education I am receiving from the son and grandson of Krishnamacharya are so full of wisdom, then I am making someone else wrong. Both positions feel awful and leave me with a bad feeling in my stomach and sleepless nights.

I am struggling with how to apply the yama of satyam (speaking the truth) to this problem. I see that my teachers are able to do this and I am not yet. Although they do not agree with how yoga has been taught to mass audiences in the western world, they are still kind and visit family friends like Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar at their homes. They are friendly, kind and compassionate when it comes to discussions about Krishnamacharya's work. When in public they are often asked what they think of other traditions, and they choose to take the high road, either dodging the question or giving a carefully thought out response that does not cause himsa (violence).

Ahimsa (non-violence) is the first yama (social etiquette), before satyam. Non-violence is the foundation for satyam. The Yoga Sutras tell us that our truth should always be balanced with kindness, and sometimes even kept to ourselves if it will harm another. However, if sitting quietly will ultimately cause more harm, then one must speak his or her truth. And this is where the challenge lies. How does one speak the truth with kindness and non-violence toward another.

First, we must remember that actions speak louder than words. Live your yoga and let who you are speak for your tradition. Are we angry, rigid, controlling and egotistical? I guess the style of yoga we have chosen is not working for us. Are we patient, kind, non-judgemental, and friendly yet strong? Then our chosen yoga style is working for us. There are no best styles of yoga, just a best style for a particular person based on his or her needs at this moment in time.

Second, patience is sometimes necessary. Sri Desikachar's name means "patience". So the "facts" that I want to force upon someone should be spoken mindfully, carefully and slowly and only given if and when the person has ears to hear it. If there are no ears open to hear the message, there is no point in wasting breath to speak. We must always remember, the student will arrive when the teacher is ready. The teacher will arrive when the student is ready. Until then, be patient and let the truth be revealed through action.

Satyam is one of the most challenging yamas for me. This is why I have turned to studying Non-Violent Communication. It is the practical application of Satyam. I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels that his or her style or yoga is the best. Non-Violent Communication will set you free!