I DIDN’T GO TO YOGA. At least, not to the pro-active, psoas-activating practice I had intended. Instead, I surrendered to my inner signs to soften and let go of the pressure I had felt to ‘achieve’. In doing so, I embraced the spirit of Ahimsa. So, rather than rush to my yoga class, I went for a barefoot walk in the waves on the nearby beach and practised wild warrior flows, whilst inhaling the scent of the sea. As I sat on a sun-kissed rock to meditate, I felt strong and enlivened yet at peace. “Ah ha”, I reflected. “This is what embracing the spirit of ahimsa is all about.”
The Yamas and the Niyamas are the yogic moral and ethical codes, the guidelines for all our relationships, from those with others and the greater world around us, to our innermost self. Practising these Yamas and Niyamas, says Patanjali, offers us endless possibilities for self-transformation. Beginning with Ahimsa – the first Yama – we can weave yoga’s magic into enhancing the whole of our life tapestry.
“All that we are is a result of what we have thought” – Buddha
The Essence of Non-Violent Gentleness
Ahimsa in Sanskrit means not to harm or injure and is often interpreted as ‘non-violence’ or ‘compassion’ or ‘kindness’ to self and others. A virtue at the heart of Hindu religion, it was practised and revered by the Indian Leader, Mahatma Gandhi, who said; “Ahimsa is the highest duty. Even if we cannot practice it in full, we must try to understand its spirit and refrain as far as is humanly possible from violence.”
There is Great Power in Gentleness
Gandhi demonstrated inner mastery and true, authentic power as he took a peaceful stand amidst violent times. His embodiment of Ahimsa radiated through his peaceful protests and potent spoken words.
Recognise the Stressful “Shoulds”
In our over-stimulated society, we are influenced by every screen and magazine. We are unconsciously conditioned to do what we ‘should’ rather than to listen to and trust our inner guidance system. Centuries of conditioning to ‘achieve’ at whatever the cost has been accompanied by a deeply ingrained fear of failure, causing our survival instincts to keep us hot-wired to strive for ever more success, whatever the cost to our health and happiness.
Stress damages us physically, emotionally, mentally, and launches us into our ‘fight-flight or freeze’ sympathetic nervous system, where we are reactive and cut off from our spirituality. When we succumb to stress without even realising it, we are hurting ourselves and our highest, healthiest goods.
Know your Triggers and Sensory Signs
When you approach yoga with the purpose of getting to know your truest, source-connected self, you will also become familiar with your physical and emotional signals for being ‘in alignment’ with yourself and your needs. These signals are your intuitive boundaries between moving through life in harmony with your biorhythms and cycles and giving in to the external stresses and pressures placed on us by society.
In Practice – In Thoughts Words and Deeds
Thoughts – Monitor your inner dialogue. Notice your negative beliefs, conditionings, judgements, and self-criticisms and create positive thought patterns instead. Write down positive affirmations to reframe your thoughts with kindness and compassion, such as ‘I am choosing to see the positive aspects of every person and situation and to feel gratitude to life and to me.’
Words – Breathe before you speak so you have time to choose your words creatively. Sculpt sentences that feel good in your body as you say them out loud. Learn to say ‘No’ to others so you can say ‘Yes’ to your health and happiness. Every word carries a vibration, so raise the vibration of the world around you with kindness, gentleness and peace.
Deeds – Choose inspired actions that feel right holistically. If you feel tense or tired when someone asks something of you, this is a sign that saying ‘Yes’ will deplete you or create stress. Only do what is for the higher good of yourself, Mother Nature, your family, friends and loved ones, and society.
In essence, follow your bliss, noting when you feel relaxed and at peace. These moments are the ultimate signs that you are embodying the Yama of Ahimsa.
