STRETCH YOGA BRISBANE
  • ABOUT US
    • MEMBERS PAGE
    • Physiotherapy
    • Teachers
    • Styles >
      • Deep Stretch (Yin Yoga)
      • Simple Stretch (Hatha Yoga)
      • Flow'N'Deep (VinYin Yoga)
      • Flowing Stretch (Vinyasa Yoga)
      • Gentle Stretch
      • Pilates
    • Contact Us
    • Brand New to Yoga?
    • FAQs
    • Hire our Studio Space
    • Testimonials
    • Media
    • Our Philosophy
    • Community & Charity
    • Blog
  • Pricing
    • Student & Concession Passes
    • Gift Vouchers
  • Studio Class Times
    • Holland Park Timetable
    • CBD Timetable
  • Stretch Online Studio
    • Livestream and On Demand Unlimited Membership >
      • Casual Live Stream Classes
    • Downloadable Prenatal Yoga Course
    • Downloadable Restorative Yoga Series
    • Downloadable Chakra Yoga Course
  • Products
  • COURSES & EVENTS
    • Back, Neck & Shoulder Release Workshop
    • Community Yoga Classes - $6 each!
    • Beginners Meditation Workshop
    • Gin & Yang (Yoga & Gin) Event
    • Handstands Balance Skills & Drills Workshop
    • Vinyasa Foundations Workshop
    • Restorative Yoga Workshop
    • Full Moon Yoga Nidra
    • Mini & Me Yoga (Dads, Mums & Bubs)
    • Mini & Me Mat Pilates (Dads, Mums & Bubs)
    • Active Birth Workshop
    • 6 Week Pranayama Series
    • Prenatal Yoga Course
    • Beginners Yoga Course
    • Curvy Yoga Course
    • Prenatal Pilates at Articulate Tarragindi
    • Postnatal Pilates at Articulate Tarragindi
  • Teacher Training
    • Student Testimonials
    • In Studio 350hr Yoga Teacher Training >
      • January 2021 Dates
      • July 2021 Dates
      • September 2020 Dates
    • Stretch 350hr Online Teacher Training >
      • Stretch Online Teacher Training Content Access
    • 150hr Postgraduate Teacher Training

How Do You Apply Ahimsa In Daily Life?

9/7/2014

0 Comments

 
Ahimsa
You may or may not have heard this term bandied around in the yoga community, but put quite simply, ahimsa (a-him-sa) means non-violence. Whilst we can pretty easily determine how to practice this in a literal way (don’t go around punching people no matter how much they annoy you!), it’s the deeper, more abstract practice of this concept that is really going to help you lead a more yogic and happier life.
Non-violence towards other living beings

This one can be a bit tricky, and definitely uses my brain power to decipher on a daily basis. Some yogis interpret this to mean that veganism is the only right path, however a bit of reading on the good old Internet can leave your head in a tizzy about what foods cause the least harm (just google the environmental and health implications of soy if you want to step into a minefield!).

Health and financial implications also play into this one, and coming from a place of non-judgment, I really don’t think there is one right way to do this. The first step towards this one is simply becoming aware; so get out there, read voraciously about the harmful things that are being done to animals and humans (think sweat-shops and child slaves), and then see if you can make small changes to minimise the damage your life on this planet is causing.

Non-violence towards your body

Not hurting yourself should be pretty simple right? No running with scissors, playing with fire or driving like a maniac should be pretty standard, but we all still manage to damage our bodies constantly.

In our asana (yoga posture) practice, as a yoga teacher, I see people ignoring ahimsa on a daily basis. We shove ourselves into poses and push ourselves too hard and then wonder why our back/shoulder/hamstrings are hurting despite all the yoga we’re doing. There’s a pretty fine line that we walk in yoga between (sometimes strong) discomfort and pain.

My favourite cues – if you are clenching your teeth, frowning or feel like saying the word ‘ow’, maybe it’s time to pull out just a little! There’s no magical prize for touching your toes, just work within your body and your capacity to increase your ability without harm.

Non-violence towards the planet

This is another dangerous minefield filled with more information than you can poke a stick at, but the simplest and most effective way to be kinder to the planet is so so mind-blowingly simple – just buy less crap!

Who has a cupboard filled with things they never use? A wardrobe filled with clothes they rarely wear? That infamous second drawer in the kitchen filled with all kinds of utensils you never use? If you don’t LOVE it, and you don’t NEED it (want is not enough), then don’t buy it! Simple.

Non-violence in your thoughts

Well, I saved the hardest ‘til very last, because this is the least tangible and possibly most important way to practice ahimsa. Learning how to not think mean thoughts towards others is one thing. It’s pretty darn hard, but achievable if you can try and remember that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, just wants to be happy.

Much harder than this is if you’re anything like me (and 99.99% of humans on the planet), in which case I can almost guarantee that your violent thoughts are more often than not directed towards yourself. The person in your life that you are the cruelest to, the hardest on, and the least compassionate towards is probably you.

We tell ourselves that we aren’t good enough, aren’t smart enough, aren’t good looking enough and aren’t worthy enough, etc. So here’s what you can do: Start slowly. Start by telling yourself that you love yourself each morning – maybe into the mirror, maybe giving yourself a big hug at the same time. Write a list of your best qualities, your best features, and read over these daily.

Slowly (but surely) these positive thoughts will begin to become second nature, and it will be easier to dismiss your unkind thoughts. Learning how to be non-violent towards yourselves in your thoughts is a life long journey, but one which gives us the largest reward, if all – happiness.

Practicing ahimsa towards yourself requires work and time and a whole lot of patience, but I promise you that it’s the best change you will ever make in your life!

Article originally published on doyouyoga.com
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2021
    July 2020
    May 2020
    November 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014

    Stretch Yoga Blog

    Just like you we are constantly learning about yoga, health and wellness. We love sharing our knowledge, musings and favourite healthy recipes - let us know what you think!

    Categories

    All
    Corporate Yoga
    Home Yoga
    Kids Yoga
    Meditation
    Pregnancy Yoga
    Prenatal Yoga
    Recipes
    Spirituality
    Yoga Benefits
    Yoga For Beginners
    Yoga For Stress Management
    Yoga Humour
    Yoga Music
    Yoga Philosophy

    RSS Feed

Stretch Yoga Brisbane City  & Stretch Yoga Holland Park
Turrbul and Jagera Country

 Level 2, 129 Margaret St, Brisbane, 4000 | Level 1, 967 Logan Rd, Holland Park 4121 | info@stretchyoga.com.au
 07 3061 5050

    Contact Us

Send
Holland Park West, Holland Park, Greenslopes, Tarragindi, Mt Gravatt, Mt Gravatt East, Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Moorooka, Annerley, Whites Hill, Salisbury, Macgregor, Mackenzie, Runcorn, Eight Mile Plains, Mansfield, Wishart, Woolloongabba, East Brisbane, Carina, West End Brisbane City, Spring Hill, South Brisbane, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Red Hill
  • ABOUT US
    • MEMBERS PAGE
    • Physiotherapy
    • Teachers
    • Styles >
      • Deep Stretch (Yin Yoga)
      • Simple Stretch (Hatha Yoga)
      • Flow'N'Deep (VinYin Yoga)
      • Flowing Stretch (Vinyasa Yoga)
      • Gentle Stretch
      • Pilates
    • Contact Us
    • Brand New to Yoga?
    • FAQs
    • Hire our Studio Space
    • Testimonials
    • Media
    • Our Philosophy
    • Community & Charity
    • Blog
  • Pricing
    • Student & Concession Passes
    • Gift Vouchers
  • Studio Class Times
    • Holland Park Timetable
    • CBD Timetable
  • Stretch Online Studio
    • Livestream and On Demand Unlimited Membership >
      • Casual Live Stream Classes
    • Downloadable Prenatal Yoga Course
    • Downloadable Restorative Yoga Series
    • Downloadable Chakra Yoga Course
  • Products
  • COURSES & EVENTS
    • Back, Neck & Shoulder Release Workshop
    • Community Yoga Classes - $6 each!
    • Beginners Meditation Workshop
    • Gin & Yang (Yoga & Gin) Event
    • Handstands Balance Skills & Drills Workshop
    • Vinyasa Foundations Workshop
    • Restorative Yoga Workshop
    • Full Moon Yoga Nidra
    • Mini & Me Yoga (Dads, Mums & Bubs)
    • Mini & Me Mat Pilates (Dads, Mums & Bubs)
    • Active Birth Workshop
    • 6 Week Pranayama Series
    • Prenatal Yoga Course
    • Beginners Yoga Course
    • Curvy Yoga Course
    • Prenatal Pilates at Articulate Tarragindi
    • Postnatal Pilates at Articulate Tarragindi
  • Teacher Training
    • Student Testimonials
    • In Studio 350hr Yoga Teacher Training >
      • January 2021 Dates
      • July 2021 Dates
      • September 2020 Dates
    • Stretch 350hr Online Teacher Training >
      • Stretch Online Teacher Training Content Access
    • 150hr Postgraduate Teacher Training