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Exploring the Yamas - Ahimsa (non-violence)

The yamas are the first limb of the eight limbs of yoga, and they provide five ethical principles that invite us to reflect on how we relate to others, the world around us, and ourselves. They aren’t rules or commandments, but gentle restraints that we can choose to follow to enhance our practice of yoga and meditation, supporting both our inner and outer lives.


This post will explore the first yama - Ahimsa, and I’ll share how I interpret ahimsa in the context of modern life, both on and off the mat.


Ahimsa is often translated as non-violence, or kindness. You might think, “Yeah yeah I’ve got this down, I'm not a violent person!” But ahimsa isn’t just about avoiding physical harm towards others, it also invites us to consider how we treat ourselves in our thoughts and actions, and that’s where it often gets a little bit harder!


Practicing ahimsa means paying attention to how we speak to ourselves, how we treat our bodies, and how we respond to challenges, both on and off the mat. You don’t have to force yourself into toxic positivity or jump straight from self-criticism to self-love. Instead, you might start by noticing when those self-critical thoughts arise, gently observing them with curiosity rather than judgement, and seeing if there’s a softer, kinder way to approach yourself in that moment. Often, that tiny shift is where ahimsa begins.


Here are a few ways you can practice ahimsa, both on and off the mat:


Practicing ahimsa during your yoga practice


  • Noticing when a bit of discomfort has veered into pain (signs to look out for: you’ve stopped breathing or you’re clenching all the muscles in your face!) and easing off a little bit


  • Letting go of what you think the pose ‘should’ look like, or how far in you are, and instead finding a version of the pose that works for you


  • This includes utilising as many props as needed to support your practice


  • Noticing any self-critical thoughts throughout your practice, not beating yourself up for needing to take a rest, or needing to take a different version of a pose


  • Thanking yourself for showing up and celebrating your progress (progress over perfection always!)


  • Embracing the essence of yoga as a completely non-competitive and non-performative practice


  • Not taking yourself too seriously, i.e. embracing the wobbles in any balance pose!!


Practicing ahimsa during everyday life


  • Trying to show yourself the same kindness and understanding as you would a friend or family member


  • Thinking before responding to people, especially in situations of stress or frustration


  • Being mindful of critical thoughts towards yourself or others, noticing them without judgment, and trying to let them pass through


  • Practicing self-forgiveness and compassion (not beating yourself up for the times you didn’t practice ahimsa, that’s not the point!)


  • Gently removing any unwanted insect visitors from your person/home instead of reaching for the fly swatter (this is a reminder for myself)


Practicing ahimsa requires work, perseverance and patience, that’s why it’s called a practice. No one is every going to be able to act from a place of ahimsa constantly, all we can do is try, try and try again! As my mum always tells me, you can only do your best! 💖


Or, in other words: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou



Thank you for reading.

💌 I’d love to know what you think - leave a comment or send me a message, I’m always up for chatting about yoga philosophy!


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