In a world marred by violence, yogic philosophies promote non-violence or ahimsa, a concept that originated in the Vedas thousands of years ago in ancient India. A Sanskrit word, ahimsa, literally means the absence of injury and living a life that does not harm any living being in physical or emotional form. Even though today, this term is often thought of in connection with global leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, who waged a war against violence, it has its roots in Vedas and yoga, something very few associate it with.
What is Ahimsa in Yoga
Ahimsa is one of the basic tenets of yoga philosophy and an important part of the first Yama in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra – a collection of principles charted down by Sage Patanjali. In the 8 Limbs of Yoga, sage Patajanli explains 8 stages of yoga:
- Yama – abstinence
- Niyama – observance
- Asana – postures
- Pranayama – control and regulation of breathing
- Pratyahara – withdrawal of senses
- Dharana – concentration
- Dhyana – meditation
- Samadhi – stillness of mind
It is in the first limb, Yama that Ahimsa finds its place. Yama, which also points out Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aprigraha, is a technique to cleanse the mind, body and soul for a more conscious and aware living. Ahimsa, which is also one of the foundation stones of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, has been described as the parama dharma by these religions and prescribes it as one of the greatest ways of living life.
Yama describes things we should avoid and resist in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. The Ahimsa yoga sutra plays an important part in these abstinences. Staying away from violence of any form means bringing mental peace to yourself, something that yoga is known for.
While most of us relate violence to physical or verbal, the yoga philosophy goes beyond just the two most associated practices. Ahimsa in yoga also defines avoidance of violence in thoughts, words, and actions towards all living beings. Its true meaning lies in the development of compassion and empathy towards yourself and those around you. This is, again, a very important part of practising yoga, which inculcates mindfulness, mental peace, inner balance, and the ability to regard the body and the soul as one, which is only possible when there is inner peace.
Practising Ahimsa in Yoga
Ahimsa is not just a concept; it’s a trait, something that you can inculcate in your personality. Practising Ahimsa in yoga is one such avenue that prepares you to utilise this yoga philosophy and implement it in your daily life. It is a way of self-discovery, an exploration of how yoga can help you implement the tenets of ahimsa in your life and achieve a greater sense of purpose. It is just the right thing to do for people looking to elevate the purpose of life, for those who are seeking self-realization and attain their full potential. Here’s how you can practise ahimsa while doing yoga:
Transition slowly: Take things slow. Move from one pose to another gently. Avoid being too forceful or abrupt, or else you might strain your body.
Don’t be judgemental: Don’t judge anyone while doing yoga, whether it’s you or someone else.
Be respectful of your physical limits: Be mindful of your body limits and respect where you are today in terms of being able to do difficult yoga poses. You must avoid transitioning to more advanced or difficult poses too soon. Instead, you must focus on mastering the easier ones and then naturally more towards the advanced ones.
How You Can Practice Ahimsa in Daily Life
Broadly, the ahimsa yoga definition prescribes being mindful of your words and actions and their impact on yourself and those around you. This concept is not just limited to the physical aspects of our lives, but it also covers every action we take. It could be through our words, our deeds and our thoughts that ultimately culminate into action. Ahimsa yoga meaning allows us to implement this way of living by following some simple yet effective steps:
Compassion: The best way to bring compassion into your life is to first practice it yourself. Bring more positivity into your thoughts, don’t be too judgemental about your actions, avoid having too harsh inner conversations, and be kind to yourself and others.
Thought awareness: Being aware of your thought process can bring about a huge change in your life. Our thoughts manifest into actions, and the more violent or stringent our thoughts are, the same will be reflected in our daily actions and behavior. It is important to mellow down your thoughts and bring more positivity and compassion to them.
Mind your words: Your words are the verbal form of your thoughts, and they have the power to make or break relations. Harsh words can also hurt people and bring despair to them and yourself. Ahimsa in yoga encourages people to use mindful, positive and uplifting words that make others happy. There is no harm in saying something nice to others. As the popular saying goes, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Bring intent in your actions: Doing something just for the sake of it reflects your disinterest. It makes you look fake. Actions with the right intent, on the other hand, can transform how people perceive you and how you make them feel. The right intent brings more substance to what you do and it can have a more positive impact on others.
Yoga has been an effective way of living a balanced life for centuries. It has survived this long and has flourished globally because it prescribes things that have a lasting positive impact on our lives. The same is true for practising Ahimsa in yoga. It brings inner peace and compassion, builds healthier relationships, helps you accept your flaws and work on them, moves away from negativity and builds confidence. When you incorporate Ahimsa in your yoga practice, it further enhances its impact. It’s a journey of self-discovery that evolves with you. Moving closer to the understanding of Ahimsa takes you closer to what yoga is truly about – peace, harmony and union of the mind and body.
