• Hi! I’m Monica
  • The Facebook Group
  • Blog
    • Daily Life
    • Instruction
    • Recipes
    • Spiritual Book Club
    • Yoga Challenges
    • Happiness Project
  • Private Yoga Lessons
  • Resources, Yo(gi)
  • Contact

The Yogi Movement with Monica Stone

Ready To Start Your Practice?

Enter Your Name & Email To Get Your Guided Meditation, Yoga Practice, Journal Download & 14 Days of Freedom!

Ahimsa: 4 Ways to Practice Non Harm Daily

How to Practice Ahimsa Daily

November 5, 2013 By Monica Stone 11 Comments

Let’s talk Ahimsa. 

Ahimsa is the first if the of Yamas discussed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It’s a sanskrit word meaning to not cause harm or violence to yourself, to others, and animals in thoughts or action. 

This is not just the physical act of harm, but even wishing harm or misfortune on others is not in line with ahimsa.

Practicing ahimsa is the root of the spiritual practice of yoga. All of our actions create an impression in our psyche and the universe. Making the conscious choice for loving and positive action is the first step of practicing ahimsa.

Truth is what the voice within tells

As I was cooking dinner last night, the thought of an old friend came to mind. We don’t talk or see each other very much anymore, and there’s just been a disconnection. Because of this, I noticed that my thought patterns were negative towards this person.

I caught myself right in the act. This is NOT ahimsa.

In that instant, I took a minute and thought of three things amazing about this person, and then I felt relief. 

Negative thoughts and actions are a reflection of how we live our lives and treat ourselves. With that knowledge, I have no choice but to take responsibility. It’s up to me to find a solution that will lead to happiness in every situation. 

Here are some ways we can practice Ahimsa:

1. Eat a plant based/vegetarian diet:

We are all sentient beings. Animals have consciousness, and also feel emotions such as pain, fear, sadness, and excitement.

When we consume animals, we are also consuming the fear, pain, and depression that animal felt up to that point. That all becomes a part of us. Even if the animal is living in a cage-free zone, or on a farm where they are set free to roam, they are still being pulled from their happy life and killed in an unnatural, and in most cases, a devastating way.

In addition, it’s bad for the environment. Factory farming is one of the biggest causes of global warming.

Someone said to me a few days ago, “I think eating meat is better than eating that fake meat.” I have to disagree. This isn’t a health issue, but the choice should be ethical. Once you make that ethical choice, you’re aligning yourself with ahimsa. 

IMG_4232

2. Be Good to the Earth: 

Try to live each day as environmentally friendly as possible.

  • Take walks and bike rides instead of using a car.
  • Bring cloth or plastic reusable bags whenever you go grocery shopping, and reuse containers.
  • Support local businesses, and shop at the local farmers markets, or produce shops.

It’s great to support the local community, and better on the environment because there’s less transportation causing less pollution. When food travels over a period of time it looses it’s freshness and organic qualities.

Your body will thank you because the food from local farmers is fresh, so you know it was all tended to with love. 

3. Change your internal dialogue: 

We get so mad when others gossip or say negative things about us, but how often do we talk badly to ourselves? How often do you doubt yourself, talk yourself out of something because you feel you’re not good enough, or even wish that you looked different? This has to stop.

The more you get stuck in this pattern of self-destruction you create impressions that will keep you from living up to our full potential. Next time this happens, turn that thought around right away.

Your thoughts are not you, so just try to observe, and then laugh at your silly monkey mind.  (Check out my 30 day Happiness Journaling Challenge if you’re interested in working deeper on this).

IMG_4865

4. Explore negative thoughts and judgement towards others:

Like my first example above; when you feel anger or negativity about others, it’s really a reflection of something deeper within. Maybe you’re mad at someone from an old relationship where you were treated badly?

The anger stems from the fact that you let them treat you that way. Exploring deeper into that; Why did I let them treat me that way for so long? The answer might not come quickly, but just continuing to explore these things will lead to fruition.

Learning to treat yourself with ahimsa is the first step, and then your compassion will grow towards others.

  • Give compliments.
  • Try to make someone else smile. It will make you smile too! 
  • Say what you’re grateful for when you wake up and, say what you’re thankful for as you reflect on the day before you go sleep.

Incorporate these aspects into your daily life and see how everything changes!

Homework Time… (Yes!)

How do you practice Ahimsa? How do you turn a negative situation into a positive one?

Please SHARE or PIN if you liked this, and think someone else might like it too! 

To open hearts & happy thoughts,

monica xxo

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Instruction Tagged With: Ahimsa, The Yoga Sutras

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« Creating Your Home Yoga Studio (and Tips To Get On The Mat)
The East End Market Is Seriously Awesome »

Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

Start Your Yoga Practice With Me!

Join the 14 Day Yoga Challenge & Get Your Free Yoga & Guided Meditation Download & Journal With Daily Activities to Find Balance, Clarity, and Purpose.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

Check Out The Latest Posts..!

How to get out of a rut and back to your old self again by Monica Stone, Yoga Instructor in Orlando, FL at theyogimovement.com
Most of the yoga you do should be outside of the studio by theyogimovement.com
Here's how I modify my ashtanga practice yoga with shoulder pain or injury..
Have you ever heard of the 4 seals of dharma? They are the 4 things that make you a buddhist, and all emotions are painful is the first one. That sounds crazy! What about love and happiness? How is that painful? Well haven't you ever had love and lost it? What if you got a brand new car & then got into a car accident right after? Or simply, what if you won an award, and then a few hours go by? The high goes away, right? All emotions lead to pain... but here's why it's actually a good thing... keep reading...
Two years ago I quit my day job. I didn't have a plan, and I started losing money fast! I did everything to run and grow my business, but it was so hard on my own. I don't suggest not having a plan. All of those people who preach quitting your day job do not tell the whole story. Let me help... !
There are so many misconceptions about why we practice yoga postures. I want to erase all of the rules and requirements and bring the fun back into yoga. Yoga is for everyone, and it works for you however you need it. Read more about my theory here!

All Blog Posts Here…

Check Out My Sauce Site! Learn to Make Incredible & Simple Sauces With Me!

Proudly Partnered With:

FitFluential Is Fitness Found


Legendary support for a lifetime of practice with the Manduka PRO

Insta-Love

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

Copyright © 2023 · glam theme by Restored 316

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Contact
  • Policies
  • Web Site Agreement / Terms of Service