Week 341: New Year’s Resolution?

Coming to the end of the first month of 2019, I suppose I’m ready to write a quick post about what I’ve chosen to do in 2019. Although not really a New Year’s Resolution, I’ve committed to practice and focus on one Yama or Niyama each month of this year.

Now this is where the yoga gets deep…

The Yamas, as I will start here, are the framework for proper conduct with oneself but also with others. They are, shall we say, the 10 Commandment-like practices that are vitally important in the practice of yoga. Believe it or not, yoga is not just about the poses. The ancient practice of yoga includes Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga.

I thought it would be helpful for me to take a month to dive deeper into each of the five Yamas and Niyamas.

So, I started with Ahimsa |a-him-sa

Ahimsa represents compassion for all living things and reverence for life. And in doing so, acting with non-violence. This can be with actions, words and thoughts about yourself and others.

This Yama hits straight to my heart. Peace, respect, love, non-violence align with me and my values and morals. Yet, I’ve had some challenges, personally and professionally this month in which my thoughts have not been supporting the goal of ahimsa. It is challenging to have kind thoughts about those who upset and annoy you and piss you off but also showing yourself kindness when you can quickly get ‘blamey’ and hurtful to oneself.

“Come on Lisa, what’s wrong with you?”

It takes a lot of discipline to speak nicely, without violence, in your own head. Be it about others or yourself.

This month has already taught me a lot about where himsa (the opposite of ahimsa, meaning harm) can show up in day to day life. Being conscious to the principle of ahimsa will keep me a student of yoga and LIFE for years to come.

To the continuation of learning and dedication to the yoga journey,
LW