One of the social restraints presented in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, ahimsa is the practice of non-violence. Though ahimsa is often defined as abstaining from causing harm to other living creatures, the concept extends far beyond just avoiding hostility.

Swami Sivananda, founder of Sivananda yoga, writes that ahimsa is universal, pure love. It means complete abstinence from causing any pain to another creature through action, word, or even thought. According to Sivananda, ahimsa is counter to man’s beastly and cruel nature. It is a practice of selfless service and the only means to attain lasting peace, and its truest expression requires great strength and fortitude.

Practicing Ahimsa

Ahimsa literally means the avoidance of himsa, or violence. Harboring unkind thoughts, speaking ill of others, showing contempt for another, or telling lies all violate the concept of ahimsa. But so does showing discourtesy to another or knowingly neglecting another’s needs.

To practice ahimsa, observe your interactions with others, and notice your thoughts and intentions. When feelings of anger arise, focus first on gaining control of your physical body and speech. Acknowledge that harming or speaking out against others gains you nothing in return. Eventually, your negative reactions will subside, but it is difficult to gain control of the mind without first gaining control of your body and speech.

Sivananda acknowledges that complete ahimsa is unattainable: we cannot always control whether or not we harm others, but should strive to minimize the harm that we do cause. Motive is the chief factor in determining if your actions qualify as himsa or ahimsa. For example, putting a sick animal to sleep does not violate ahimsa, because the intent is to relieve the animal’s discomfort.

Ahimsa and Asana

Demonstrating ahimsa in your asana practice means accepting yourself and your body where you are. As you step on your yoga mat, do not compare yourself to others, which will only cultivate feelings of envy or pride. Demonstrate kindness for those around you and withhold judgment. Ahimsa may mean not pushing yourself into a punishing Bikram class when your body is calling for a more gentle practice, or modifying poses to meet your current needs - even if you know you are capable of going deeper.

Ahimsa and Self-Care

Ahimsa applies to the way you treat yourself in your daily life as well. Ahimsa reminds us not to be self-critical or judgmental. A recent body image survey by Glamour magazine revealed that 97 percent of women have negative body thoughts daily. The concept of ahimsa teaches us to love our bodies, to appreciate them for what they provide for us, rather than criticize them for how they look. When you practice ahimsa towards yourself, you take care of and nurture your body, thanking it for its ability to walk, move, work, exercise, eat, play, and allow you to enjoy life.