Going deeper in your yoga practice - Ahimsa

To offer more yogic knowledge, in conjunction with Lisa at Yoga Loft Carrickfergus, we have asked our teachers to write short articles about the Yamas and Niyamas. 
They are the first two limbs of the eightfold path of yoga described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. These are fundamental concepts offering ethical and moral guidelines to yogis.

Here, Cathy talks about Ahimsa, the first Yama, describing our relationship to the world and its ethical implications.

Ahimsa, by Cathy O'Hagan

Sutra 2.35: ahimsā-pratiṣthāyām tat-sannidhau vaira-tyāgaḥ

In the presence of one who is firmly established in nonviolence, hostility recedes.

"Ahimsa is a Sanskit term meaning non-violence or non-harming and it is one of the most important
ethical principles in Yoga philosophy. 

Rooted in ancient Indian spiritual traditions, Ahimsa is a prominent feature in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, where it is listed as the first of the Yamas- the moral disciplines that form the cornerstone of Yogic living. The fact that Ahimsa is placed first, emphasises its importance as the foundation that all other yoga practices should be built upon.

On the yoga mat, Ahimsa begins with avoiding comparison with others and focusing on deepening the relationship with the self, listening to the body and not pushing physically to the point of pain or exhaustion. Rest should be considered as vital to the body as movement, sunlight, food and water and not something that has to be earned.

My personal Yoga practice has allowed me to develop the relationship with my self- making small, daily, mindful decisions that reflect care for the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment. Having worked in the caring professions as a nurse, midwife and mother, I have found it easy and natural to offer care and compassion to others. 

My yoga journey and the exploration of Ahimsa has shown me how to further cultivate this care, enquiry and compassion towards myself.
On a practical level, this looks like, avoiding negative self talk, resting without guilt, accepting enoughness, allowing feelings without judgement, listening to my body and setting healthy boundaries. For me, it has made me a better and a happier person, when I can grant myself the same grace, compassion and non-judgement that I already give to others.

The concept of Ahimsa in yoga is multi factorial and complex. It of course means refraining from physical violence, but also includes non -harm in thoughts, speech and actions. It asks us to cultivate an awareness of how our choices and actions affect ourselves, other people, animals and the planet.
In fact, Ahimsa expands into all aspects of daily life, influencing the way we speak to clients and colleagues, interact with family and friends and how we participate in society. 

Ahimsa can also be connected with many ways of minimising harm in the modern world. In practice, this might look like adopting plant based diets, reducing consumption and waste or supporting ethical businesses. These choices are not about perfection, but focus on intention. Choosing words that uplift instead of wound, setting healthy boundaries without hostility, or engaging in disagreements with empathy and patience.

 In a modern, fast paced world often driven by competition and stress, Ahimsa is the counterbalance rooted in compassion and care."

Thank you Cathy for your words and reflections! 
We will endeavour to share more about these topics here regularly to build a mini accessible yogic knowledge online library :)

You can find Cathy's profile here if you want to keep on exploring our website.