We all know yoga is a great way to stretch, strengthen and tone your muscles. Physically, it is an excellent full body workout. But what many people do not know is that yoga is a practice that offers so much beyond the physical benefits.
Traditionally, yoga is composed of 8 parts, or "limbs". The physical poses, "asanas", are only 1/8 of yoga. The other 7 limbs include breath, concentration, meditation, unity with the Divine, and a series of universal and personal philosophies on living a clean and peaceful life.
The first of these philosophies is the concept of ahimsa. "Himsa" means to harm or perform violence. "Ahimsa" is non-violence, or restraining from harming.
The first of these philosophies is the concept of ahimsa. "Himsa" means to harm or perform violence. "Ahimsa" is non-violence, or restraining from harming.
I have never considered myself to be a violent person, so when I first began to study these philosophies, I had a hard time understanding the concept. An article from Gaiamtv.com sums up a more subtle interpretation here:
"Thoughts of guilt, shame, resentment, disappointment all have a seed of violence within them. Words like "should" and "must" are the same. When we are unable to forgive ourselves or someone else, when we carry resentment; when we expect far too much of ourselves and put the responsibility of the whole world on our shoulders; when we expect the whole world to run according to our liking we are being violent towards ourselves and the rest of the world. When we don’t act according to our truth, but out of our fears, we are being violent to ourselves... Truth and nonviolence are inseparable."
From this interpretation I realized that I am violent to myself all the time! I have spent my whole life bullying and criticizing myself. While I put a lot of effort into paying attention to how my actions could negatively affect the other people in my life, I rarely notice how mean the voice in my head can be to myself.
How to Practice Ahimsa:
1. Notice when you're being critical or negative towards yourself or someone else. Being aware of your "himsa" is the first step to practicing ahimsa. When I turned my awareness to how often I was being mean to myself, I realized my self-destructive thoughts were actually running my life!
2. Separate yourself from the negative thoughts. Put things into perspective and realize that you are not your thoughts. Accept that no one is perfect and that mistakes happen.
3. Let go of the past. A few years ago when I would mindlessly react to an emotion or make a mistake, my immediate reaction would be to put myself down and think about what I should have done differently. The greatest peace in my life has come from accepting that the past is over and I can not change what has happened. Instead, I can only humbly learn from my mistakes so as not to repeat them.
4. Be compassionate and forgiving. Yes, sometimes we screw up. But being violent only brings further destruction to the situation. Forgive and forget. Loving ourselves and each other is the best way to heal things over!
houghts of guilt, shame, resentment, disappointment all have a seed of violence within them. Words like *should* and* must* are the same. When we are unable to forgive ourselves or someone else, when we carry resentment; when we expect far too much of ourselves and put the responsibility of the whole world on our shoulders; when we expect the whole world to run according to our liking we are being violent towards ourselves and the rest of the world. When we don’t act according to our truth, but out of our fears, we are being violent to ourselves... Truth and nonviolence are inseparable. As Ghandi said: When I look for Ahimsa, Truth says, ''Find it through me.'' When I look for Truth, Ahimsa says, ''Find it out through me.'' - See more at: http://www.gaiamtv.com/article/ahimsa-yoga-practice-non-violence#sthash.3Gu3pA6D.dpuf
houghts of guilt, shame, resentment, disappointment all have a seed of violence within them. Words like *should* and* must* are the same. When we are unable to forgive ourselves or someone else, when we carry resentment; when we expect far too much of ourselves and put the responsibility of the whole world on our shoulders; when we expect the whole world to run according to our liking we are being violent towards ourselves and the rest of the world. When we don’t act according to our truth, but out of our fears, we are being violent to ourselves... Truth and nonviolence are inseparable. As Ghandi said: When I look for Ahimsa, Truth says, ''Find it through me.'' When I look for Truth, Ahimsa says, ''Find it out through me.'' - See more at: http://www.gaiamtv.com/article/ahimsa-yoga-practice-non-violence#sthash.3Gu3pA6D.dpuf
houghts of guilt, shame, resentment, disappointment all have a seed of violence within them. Words like *should* and*
must* are the same. When we are unable to forgive ourselves or someone
else, when we carry resentment; when we expect far too much of ourselves
and put the responsibility of the whole world on our shoulders; when we
expect the whole world to run according to our liking we are being
violent towards ourselves and the rest of the world. When we don’t act
according to our truth, but out of our fears, we are being violent to
ourselves... Truth and nonviolence are inseparable. As Ghandi said: When
I look for Ahimsa, Truth says, ''Find it through me.'' When I look for
Truth, Ahimsa says, ''Find it out through me.'' - See more at:
http://www.gaiamtv.com/article/ahimsa-yoga-practice-non-violence#sthash.3Gu3pA6D.dpuf
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