A Guest Post by Brenda McMahon
The first Yama or principle of yoga is Ahimsa. This literally means to have compassion for all living things, to do no harm, to show no cruelty to any creature or any person in any way whatsoever.
The non-violence principle of Ahimsa is pretty easy to understand – don’t kick the dog & don’t physically assault anyone. The deeper meaning of Ahimsa, the more nuance is where we can really stretch into the understanding of this Yama. Kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration toward yourself and others is also Ahimsa.
If you find you are not kind to others or offering thoughtful consideration – watch what you say TO YOURSELF. If you chide yourself for this behavior…you are not being kind and thoughtful to yourself. So the practice requires careful attention. We are not required to be perfect already…this is a practice. We are asking ourselves to be gentle with where we are right now. We are not expecting ourselves to already be where we want to be. This is power of Ahimsa.
When my dad was dying his wife was desperately trying to do anything she could to save him. He was at peace with where he was, but she wasn’t. Her desperate attempts to ‘help’ him, were coming across as quite harmful to him. The challenging part of my Ahimsa practice was to attend to her with kindness and thoughtful consideration, but also attend to my emotions as well. When we are under stressful situations, we tend to demonize the other, in order to lift ourselves. This is pretty common and one would say a natural instinct.
Ahimsa allows both. I can’t say I was always successful and she sure tested my strength. But I was often able to recognize her fear without judging it and have a kind understanding of why she was making the decisions she was making; while also acknowledging how it affected me. When I would fail and get angry with her, I was kind to myself in that as well. Yoga is receiving yourself where you are… and Ahimsa is doing it with kindness.
You may be having a hard time and the only familiar you have is unfamiliar and discomfort. This may make you moody, quick to react or sad. To honor and accept where you are and what you feel is Ahimsa. To receive yourself where you are in this moment, at this time is yoga. It does not mean you will always be there or that you are those feelings or thoughts. It simply means ‘I am here and I am ok with this. I accept.’ It is giving yourself the kindness & compassion you would give another in that same circumstance. Ahimsa is awareness of the language and judgements you use on yourself, first and foremost; from there, you can see how you use language and judgement toward others.
In yoga, we open every session with awareness of the present moment. Sometimes it is the vibration of a vocal Om; other times it is gently closing the eyes, a steady in and out breath and quietly leaving the day at the doorstep. In that presence, we create the space to receive ourselves where we are in this moment, to have compassion and acceptance, to not be cruel or unkind to ourselves. We open the yoga practice with Ahimsa.
It is important to practice Ahimsa in a yoga class or you will hurt yourself. Similarly, it is important to practice Ahimsa throughout each day to ensure you do not harm yourself with your words or actions – or harm those around you. This constant awareness is just as important a part of yoga as the physical practice. A healthy mind will lead to a healthy body.
Think of ways you have not been kind to yourself. Is your inner talk filled with self-judgment? Do you scold yourself for having feelings, sleeping in or being irritable? Do you look in the mirror and have unkind thoughts? Take this moment to do a bit of yoga. Notice where you can practice Ahimsa. With acceptance in your heart and kindness in your voice, give yourself the gift of compassion and friendliness. Ahimsa. Give kindness to yourself, from there, it is easier to notice where you can extend that kindness to others as you navigate the tender place of transition, the loss of what was and the uncertainty of what will be in your life.
Namaste.
(Literally translated this means ‘the light in me bows to the light in you’)
To access the entire 12 Part Yoga Series, click here
Brenda McMahon is a full-time Ceramic Artist traveling nationally & internationally showing her artwork and teaching clay workshops. She creates meditative porcelain vessels and Yoga Oms in her private studio. Brenda is a passionate student of metaphysics and has been a Yogi for 10 years.
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