Ahimsa - ancient wisdom

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - The Philosophy

I’ve found myself reflecting on how yoga extends far beyond the mat. The postures, breathwork, and moments of stillness we share are only part of a much wider path, one that guides how we live, relate, and connect both inwardly and outwardly.

I always return to The 8 Limbs of Yoga, a beautiful framework that offers timeless wisdom for daily life.

Over the next few newsletters, I’ll be exploring each limb in turn, starting with the first, Ahimsa , to see how these ancient teachings can gently support us in the modern world.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga are the steps to spiritual realization outlined by Maharshi Patanjali in his ancient Yoga Sutras.
Often called the “father of yoga,” Maharshi Patanjali composed 196 sutras simple yet profound threads of wisdom that guide us toward understanding yoga and ultimately reaching Samadhi, a state of unified oneness.

These 8 limbs serve as both a pathway and a guide offering ethics, discipline, and practices that clear, prepare  & strengthen the mind and body.
As you know, we already explore four of these limbs in our sessions: Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and Pratyahara.
But I thought we could take a closer look at some of the others and explore how they can apply to our everyday lives.

Let’s begin with the first limb  - Yama.

There are five Yamas, or “vows,” which can be seen as a way of using our energy wisely  - in relation to others and ourselves:

• Ahimsa (non-violence)
• Satya (truthfulness)
• Asteya (non-stealing)
• Brahmacharya (right use of energy)
• Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding)

Because there’s so much depth to each limb, I’ll be exploring them one at a time in future newsletters. My hope is that you’ll begin to see ways they can weave meaningfully into your own life and practice.

So let’s start with Ahimsa  -  non-violence.

I once read that if we could truly embody this single limb, the world would be free from suffering.
At first glance, “non-violence” seems straightforward: don’t harm others, don’t inflict pain  - to anyone, including ourselves. (This is one reason many yogis choose a vegetarian lifestyle.)

But how does Ahimsa appear in our yoga practice?

Most obviously, we honor it when we avoid pushing ourselves into pain during asana. Asana translates to “a comfortable seat,” and as I often remind you  “do not sacrifice your breath for the posture.”
Causing pain to ourselves is a clear breach of Ahimsa.

Unfortunately, modern yoga often carries the “no pain, no gain” mentality, creating a competitive environment that prizes flexibility and aesthetics over awareness and compassion.
Alexandria Crow, once featured on countless yoga magazine covers for her advanced poses, is a powerful example. After suffering injuries from gymnastics and Ashtanga yoga, she had to completely rebuild her practice. When she returned to teaching, her approach transformed,  she became a voice for the everyday practitioner, challenging the Western obsession with the “super-bendy” image of yoga and refocusing on safety, awareness, and kindness toward the body.

But Ahimsa runs deeper still  - into our thoughts, our inner dialogue, the inner critic, the way we speak to ourselves and others.

Think of the words we use when our inner critic appears, or when we describe ourselves harshly. These thoughts carry energy, and harmful ones ripple through the body. Your thoughts truly matter.

Consider how comforting it feels to receive kind, loving words & how a single cutting remark can linger for years.

Words can both heal and wound.

So how do we practice Ahimsa in our thoughts?
It's nothing esoteric but rather simple awareness.
Notice when your mind leans toward resentment, judgment, or criticism. Pause, and gently ask yourself:
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“What is the most loving thought available to me right now?”

Try using this reframe whenever you catch yourself speaking harshly about yourself. See if it helps soften your inner voice and transform critical thoughts into compassionate ones.

As you move through your week, notice where you can bring a little more Ahimsa , perhaps in how you speak to yourself, how you rest, whether you limit rest or chastise yourself for resting.

It doesn’t need to be grand or perfect; even the smallest act of gentleness has a quiet power to shift how we feel and how we move through the world.

I’d love to hear if this practice resonates with you, or if you begin to notice any changes in your thoughts or energy as you explore it, especially the words,

"What is the most loving thought available to me right now'.

Now those words hold transformational power!!

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
— Lao Tzu

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