Ahimsa: the yoga practice of non-violence towards yourself

You judge your body every time you step onto the mat. The wobble in tree pose. The foot that will not reach behind your head. This week on Beyond the Diet, we unpack ahimsa, the first of the yamas in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and why non-violence starts with the thoughts you have about yourself before it ever reaches anyone else. We talk about the difference between intention and action, why self-criticism and gossip count as violence too, and the research showing happiness is genuinely contagious (you are 25% more likely to feel happy when someone close to you does). We close with a loving-kindness meditation you can practise right where you are sitting. In this episode: What ahimsa means in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and why it is the most important of the yamas How ahimsa shows up in thought, word and deed, not just physical action Why judging your practice on the mat is a form of self-harm The science behind why happiness, and negative thinking, both spread The Anusara three A's, attitude, alignment, action, and how they connect to ahimsa A closing loving-kindness meditation for someone who is currently challenging you If this lands, come find us on the mat at Yoga to Transform in Christchurch. Follow Beyond the Diet for real talk on weight, wellness and womanhood, at the intersection of yoga philosophy, Ayurveda and modern science. yogatotransform.com