This entry was submitted on Oct 11, 2022 by Charlotte Bell.
Of those practicing yoga today, most have come across the term ahimsa at some point, or learned more in-depth literature on it from teachers like Alistair Shearer or personally practiced its principle: non-harming. Alistair Shearer even refers to this principle as dynamic peacefulness–perhaps this concept inspires all aspects of Yoga practice!
Ahimsa is one of yoga’s Eight Limbs (yamas), representing its core ethical precepts (yamas) and Niyamas (skillful living practices), first learned by children through practicing asana practice rather than the other way round (yamas and Niyamas). By starting their asana practices from non-harming foundation, young yogis and yoginis could approach asana practice with more of an intention for soothing rather than powerful body control during yoga practice.
West-based practitioners tend to begin their yoga journey through physical practice, so we may not yet be familiar with the five principles known as Yamas and Niyamas; yet it’s never too late to incorporate them into our lives both on and off of our mats. With yoga-related accidents on the rise over the last 20 years, practising ahimsa in asana seems especially relevant; and as we age (something which all of us do!), practicing it more extensively becomes all-the-more essential.
Now is the Time for Ahimsa
Most, if not all, of us begin their practice of yoga hoping that it will transform their lives in some way – weight reduction, creating healthier habits, increasing flexibility, bettering sleep or relieving any existing discomfort are amongst some of the many desired effects; all with one goal in mind – changing ourselves for good! Though yoga offers numerous potential health and mental benefits there can often be negative ones too if done improperly or over long term periods; for this reason we need a regular practice to alter who we really are as individuals – altering ourselves can create change within oneself rather quickly!
What if our intention were simply taking time for ourselves in an inclusive, nurturing and nonjudgmental manner? How might that play out if instead we decided simply to be present without agenda in each moment with ourselves as individuals? Could our asana practices unfold naturally over time without forcing any one particular pose onto one person at the expense of another?
Although this seems straightforward, this can be challenging in practice. Many of us come into watching with deeply held beliefs of personal inadequacy that lead to unrealistic demands on our practice and to compare ourselves against that of others; which may be both irrelevant and potentially injurious because such comparisons require our bodies and minds to conform to standards they weren’t meant for achieving (we all vary!). Furthermore, “shoulds” imposed upon ourselves prevent us from enjoying what’s happening right in front of our faces! A colleague once advised me “Don’t should on yourself!”
Keep in mind that every student comes to yoga from different genetic and historical backgrounds; although we might notice some superficial variations between ourselves, ultimately all yoga practitioners share in a sense of being Present With Our Bodies And Minds…which is at the core of yoga practice!
What Are Changes Occurring in My Physique? By shifting the focus away from an effortful pursuit and toward present presence in your physicality, instead of seeking some future asana that’s “more challenging”, you could start to recognize some habits of forceful practice in yourself and other people around you.
As one example, investigate how you are using your arms. Our arms are instruments we rely on in everyday life – our shoulders and arms being our tools of doing. Noting the disposition of our arms in poses such as forward bends and twists where our arms may play an active part in shifting us more toward poses, such as by tensioning them or pushing into poses forcefully could provide insights. Question yourself whether tensed shoulders and arms are creating any unnecessary tension within a pose? Can they instead support it without strain or pushing towards some sort of “higher” place?
As part of your practice of Ahimsa on the mat, give your breath the attention it deserves on an ongoing basis. If your breathing becomes shallow, labored or uncomfortable during any asana pose you are pushing too hard and may have overexerted yourself too far; any asana that restricts respiratory may deplete prana rather than replenish it thus depriving energy instead of replenishing it; any act which restricts its transfer is depleting rather than replenishing and therefore harming; stop doing it! Redirect it towards goals where breath flows freely again if necessary!
The Eight Limbs of Yoga offer an elegant framework in which to advance your practice. Ahimsa (nonviolence), as the foundational principle, serves as its inspiration. We can practice everyday through relationships and opportunities as well as on our mats by altering intentions for yoga practice. Let go of any ideas of what your practice “should” look like and simply enjoy what happens on its journey!
If you want to know more about how to practice the Eight Limbs both on and off your mat, I encourage you to read my book Conscious Yoga, Conscious Life: A Guide for Regular Observe (Rodmell Press 2007). My Eight Limbs passion runs deep; in its pages more is revealed than possible through blog posts alone!
Charlotte Bell discovered yoga in 1982 and started teaching it professionally by 1986. Charlotte wrote Conscious Yoga and Conscious Living: An Information Guide for Daily Observe and Yoga for Meditators published by Rodmell Press respectively. Her third e book is entitled Hip-Healthful Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Info to Protecting Hips and Preventing SI Joint Ache (Shambhala Publications). Additionally, she contributes monthly columns to CATALYST Journal as well as serving as editor of Yoga U On-line. Charlotte is one of the founding board members for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit dedicated to spreading yoga across underserved populations. A lifelong musician herself, Charlotte plays both English horn and oboe with Salt Lake Symphony as well as folks sextet Purple Rock Rondo which earned two Emmy awards in 2010.
