One of the foundational principles of yoga is ahimsa, which is the Sanskrit word for non-violence. The teachings of yogic philosophy and asana (physical postures) include the application of non-violence toward all beings, including oneself.
The practice of ahimsa, on and off the mat, begins in the mind and actions toward oneself and in thought and practice toward others, human and non-human. This can be applied to our yoga practice as well as our daily lives, including how we eat.
The first place of practice for non-violence is toward oneself in the mind, which means that we should notice when we think unkind or hurtful thoughts about ourselves. It can be as simple as noticing when you judge or compare yourself in an unfavourable way. Without this initial awareness, it’s impossible to change.
For the rest of this month, try to notice when you are overly critical or negative, and then try replacing the negative thought with something you like or respect about yourself. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but that’s why we call it “practice.” We keep practicing until we get better or more conditioned at doing something.
This can also be applied to your physical practice by not pushing yourself past the edge of positive stress and into harm or potential injury. Off the mat, we can practice non-violence toward others in our thoughts and actions. As above, notice when you judge, criticize, think, or speak unkindly toward another. Again, the awareness is the beginning place of change.
The practice of non-violence can also apply to how we eat, choosing foods that are good for our bodies and health versus those that are not. In a previous column, I mentioned the 80-20 rule of healthy eating, allowing yourself some indulgent wiggle room. That said, we can begin to take notice of the circumstances around our desires for the foods and drinks that may cause harm to our health. Pause and ask yourself when you are wanting to consume something that you know is harmful if there are healthier alternatives.
Many devout yoga practitioners also follow a vegan lifestyle as they expand their consciousness of non-harming toward other beings through their food choices. Abstaining from eating anything that causes harm to another is an active way in which we can contribute to a more peaceful planet.
Until next time, keep it real and practice ahimsa.