Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term meaning “to do no harm.” It is the practice of nonviolence or the avoidance of violence, and acting from a place of pure love. One of the five Yamas, or restraints, Ahimsa is part of a code of ethics outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras.
Applying Ahimsa During Asana Practice
Sometimes students become frustrated at the beginning of classes when the instruction is moving too slow for their liking. The slow pace conflicts with their tendency to go fast, full-force ahead. Like these students, you may be so goal-oriented in your practice that you will do anything to force your way into a yoga posture, instead of experiencing the process and letting your breath guide you.
A slow pace and connection with breath is meant to bring you into the present, to cultivate awareness, and to observe yourself in action. By being mindful and moving slowly, you decrease the risk of possible injury as you avoid hazardous movements.
Mindful movement also inspires body awareness, developing a love relationship with your body, so you know how to nurture and respect it. You should be gentle with yourself; indeed, there is no need to be harsh and aggressive — which is usually less productive.
By yogic standards, activities such as running and aerobics are considered violence against the body, while yoga asana provides the optimal kind of non-violent bodily movement. In short, asana is ahimsa in motion.
Vegetarianism: Animal Love
Many people consider a vegetarian diet as a form of ahimsa. The practice of eating meat is regarded as a method of harming and causing suffering to animals.
Traditionally, the yogic diet is lacto-vegetarian. It includes dairy because, in Hindu religion, cows are sacred and treated with respect. In North America, the consumption of dairy as part of a yogic diet is discouraged, unless it is organic.
Eating a pure vegetarian or vegan diet can be seen as a way of being supremely loving and non-harming toward yourself. In yogic terms, we eat to gain Prana, vital life energy. Food gets energy from the sun, so plant-based foods will provide the most energy and best nutrients for your system. Aside from your body, these pure foods also have a profoundly positive effect on your mind’s clarity.
Relationship and Interaction
You can be harmful through your words, actions, and thoughts. Take a moment (perhaps, a breath?) before saying something to hurt somebody’s feelings, especially if you really care about that person. Often, we make comments out of an emotional or reactive place, so we do not have a chance to consider consequences. The result of doing harm to others is suffering: theirs and your own.
You can also be violent toward yourself. You may criticize and judge yourself too harshly, or you might tell yourself that you are unworthy of acceptance and love.
Of course, we are all deserving of love. Ahimsa reminds us to be compassionate, kind, and loving to free ourselves from the suffering we cause one another.