4 Ways to Practice Ahimsa This Week

AHIMSA (NON-HARMING) YOGA CHALLENGE

 

Last week, 95 people joined me in an Ahimsa Challenge, to do a random act of kindness every single day.

Ahimsa means non-violence or non-harming, and it’s the very first yoga principle (yama), according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Not only is it the first, but it’s also the most important!

In “The Heart of Yoga,” Krishnamacharya’s son, Desikachar describes ahimsa as “kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration of other people and things.”

So 95 of us, together, tried to practice extra kindness every day last week. One thing we all noticed is that, actually, we were already doing a lot of micro acts of kindness in our everyday lives, all the time, anyway. We tried to challenge ourselves to go above and beyond those things we would have done without the challenge, but in doing so, we started noticing the kindness that is always all around us.

Here are some of my favorite experiences shared:

 

1. Compliment Others Often

One participant applied this challenge in such a beautifully simple way: any time she thought of something positive about someone or something, she complimented that person. She said she gave out way more compliments than usual—normally, she would just think them and keep them to herself—but seeing the smiles on people’s faces showed her how much our words can brighten others’ lives.

2. Change Your Thoughts from Negative to Positive

Another participant, Rachel, said that she had a client turn up late to a class. Rather than being annoyed by this and taking it personally, she went the extra mile with this client, even staying late to make sure she had an amazing experience. She took a situation that so many of us would consider negative, and turned it into a beautiful opportunity for some extra kindness.

3. Make the Extra Effort

Tanya said she went out of her way to do all the dishes after a dinner with her extended family, but it was a struggle: they tried to pull her back to the table, and didn’t want to let her do it! When she eventually convinced them to let her, she enjoyed watching how much they were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company for longer around the table. I love how her act of kindness was met with more kindness!

 

4. Be Kind to the Earth

While Christina was on a jog in the park, she decided to pick up trash along her route. By the time she finished her jog, the trash bag she brought with her was nearly overflowing. A couple walking through the woods saw her, and offered to take the bag for her so that she could finish her jog unencumbered. I wouldn’t be surprised if she also inspired them to pick up trash every time they’re in the park.

Hanuman and Kindness

Hanuman, the monkey deity from the Ramayana story, is a good representation in our yogic lives of ahimsa. When the princess Sita was kidnapped, Hanuman vowed to do whatever he could to help Rama find her. Selflessly, he took a leap of faith across the ocean, trusting that the wind would take him to her. He helped rescue Sita from the evil demon Ravana, asking for nothing in return but the friendship of Rama and Sita.

Let your heart and your mind be open to all the kindness that is constantly flowing, and you’ll find that it is, actually, everywhere.

 

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Last week was the start of the Yoga Philosophy Weekly Challenge, where we go through one yama and niyama each week, challenging ourselves to weave those principles into our lives in specific ways.

At the end of each week, I’ll provide a little recap of what we experienced as a group here. To be ahead of the curve, sign up to join the weekly challenge here:

 

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