We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sally Morgan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sally below.

Sally, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

When I think about how Seeking Satya began, I smile because there was no grand plan; it started by happenstance. I’ll guide you through my journey like I’m guiding a yoga class. Now let’s roll out our mats…

Arriving on the Mat:
It all began in August 2022 when I was sitting around a fireplace with my cousins (from out of town) talking about life. At one point, my cousin Maggie said, “Sally, all you talk about is yoga. You don’t even mention your day job anymore.” I laughed and replied, “Well, I just learned my colleague can play the violin…wouldn’t it be so sexy to do yoga with a live R&B violinist?” They saw how much my face lit up, and both encouraged me to actually make it happen. Later that week, I asked my colleague to hold the date, just in case, but did not fully commit.

The Warm Up:
One random day in November, I began researching venues and found one offering a deal I couldn’t pass up. Suddenly, my first yoga event, Lovers & Friends vol. 01, was happening—but I needed a business name. After a vote between my friends, ‘Seeking Satya’ won, but I worried people wouldn’t know how to pronounce it. I took the old-school route, using flashcards to survey locals at a farmers market on how to pronounce the name. The results were close, still leaving me unsure. When mentioning it to my therapist, she asked, ‘If the Satya principle means authenticity, why not keep the original spelling and teach people how to say it?’ That sealed the deal.

Moving Breath to Movement:
Next came the to-do list: choosing a ticketing platform, setting prices, getting a waiver for legal protections, registering the business, buying supplies, ordering catering, designing a flyer, setting a launch date, and of course, curating the perfect playlist. Whenever I started overthinking or felt stuck, I turned to my “thinking partners” for different perspectives—Taylor, the friend who introduced me to yoga, and Autumn, a close friend less familiar with yoga.

With a small self-financed budget, I got creative, using ‘Yoga for Trade’ to exchange photography for free classes, hiring an up-and-coming videographer eager to build his portfolio, and securing tea and coffee donations from my favorite coffee shop.

I obsessively checked ticket sales and the weather daily; praying for clear skies on Valentine’s day. Sales were trickling in slower than my liking, but I stayed grounded in my faith that sales would eventually come in. Days before the event, I had sold 25 tickets which was more than I expected, but still shy of my 45-person capacity.

The Peak of the Class:
The day arrived, and of course, it rained and was cold. Initially disappointed, I realized that being forced indoors meant I hit max capacity with 25 attendees—a sold-out event after all! In that moment, I realized while I had worried about not filling the 45-person capacity, God had a plan all along.

The room was packed, and I was nervous, sweating, and in disbelief  the event was actually happening. I had to remind myself: this wasn’t about me; it was about the yogis in the room. I needed those grounding breaths at the start of class more than anyone. Throughout class, I sought my truth as an instructor by inviting moments of dance, laughter, and encouragement. I hyped up those singing along to the music and moved  through the tight space where their collective energy fueled me. It was the fastest 60-minute class I have ever taught.

The social hour I hosted afterward was the perfect way to end. I reconnected with old friends, met new ones, and received heartfelt affirmations. Most importantly, we celebrated love in all its forms—self-love, platonic love, romantic love, and love for our bodies and all they can do.

Savasana (resting posture)
I made custom Seeking Satya sweaters for my friends to wear as matching uniforms while helping run the event, making them easily identifiable to attendees. We worked so seamlessly together that one attendee even asked if I’d hired a professional team. I honestly couldn’t have run the event without their help and support. The overwhelmingly positive feedback inspired me to make Lovers & Friends an annual event and to continue building Seeking Satya. To my surprise, my cousin Maggie flew back to San Diego to attend the very first Lovers & Friends, bringing the journey full circle—from a simple conversation around a fireplace to a dream brought to life.

Namaste (a bow at the end of class)
I didn’t start with a business plan or a detailed to-do list. One simple conversation led to an idea, which led to a small action, and then to others. If I had over-thought it or made a giant to-do list as I typically would, I might have talked myself out of starting at all. I finally understood why they say “the best way forward is simply to begin, and to take it one step at a time.”

Sally, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Born and raised in Los Angeles as the youngest daughter in a first-generation Egyptian family, my upbringing was shaped by strict familial, gender and cultural expectations. As an eager extrovert who wanted to break generational cycles, I moved to Northern California to become the first in my family to earn a college degree – attaining a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Higher Education. That one decision changed my entire life trajectory. It gave me the confidence to trust my own values and make choices even when they weren’t supported, like moving to San Diego in 2018 knowing very few people.

Most people say, “As a child, I never imagined I’d be…” but for me, it wasn’t just childhood—even ten years ago, I could have never pictured myself where I am today. In an effort to make new friends in San Diego, I began practicing yoga with a colleague at the time, Taylor, despite feeling I did not belong in yoga. Instructors did not look like me, the music didn’t resonate, and my body physically could not do what others were doing. Friendship motivated me to keep showing up. One day, my favorite instructor themed a class around mental health, a topic I’ve always prioritized. She later shared that she enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) to help her during a difficult time. A year later, when I faced similar challenges, I followed in her footsteps, joining YTT as a healthy coping mechanism, with no intent to teach considering I didn’t fit the image of the yoga instructor I had always seen.

When it came time for my final exam, I chose the yoga principle Satya as my theme. Satya means to pursue truthfulness both outwardly by resisting external pressures and expectations, and inwardly by living authentically. In that spirit, I honored my truth by creating a playlist featuring Black and Brown artists, something I had longed for as a student. I made the class fun, laughed, and, for the first time, truly felt like I belonged in yoga. That day, I realized:, “We need more yoga spaces like this, and I can actually do this.”

From there, I jumped in with both feet—teaching seven classes a week while working full-time. I even taught two 6 AM classes (a shocker for someone who rarely wakes up before 8AM). I not only discovered a passion for teaching yoga, but equally for creating a space where BIPOC communities feel seen and prioritized, where movement honors the individual’s body, and deepening the physical connection with music. Looking back, my journey still feels surreal, and I’m in awe of how it all unfolded. But if I’m proud of one thing, it’s this—I simply tried. One decision, one step outside my comfort zone, opened the door to an entirely new world. I never imagined I’d start my own business, let alone become a yoga instructor! Had I not tried to befriend Taylor – who is now one of my best friends, I wouldn’t have found yoga. Had I not connected with the instructor after class that day, I might not have discovered YTT. Had I not tried to create something that didn’t exist, my brand, Seeking Satya (aka Seeking Your Truth), might not have come to life.

Two key takeaways for yogis, or anyone curious about yoga:

• Honor your body, not your neighbor’s or the instructor’s cues.
• Find the class, teacher, and music that touches your soul—then decide if yoga is for you. When you find the right fit, it truly has the power to enhance your life on and off your mat in ways you couldn’t imagine.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What helped me build my reputation within my market were two main things: my inclusive teaching style and engaging yogis senses.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/seekingsatya
• Instagram: @namasally23
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smorgan23/

Image Credits

Melanie Biggs
Nia Rowland
Chris Carvajal