Yoga and Yoga Therapy for Well Being

Judith Davis Minded Yoga

THE EIGHT PATHS OF YOGA – AHIMSA

After a break from the Eight Paths of Yoga I thought I would return to its teachings this week.  Each time we visit these paths we will see, hear and learn from them differently and find something new to help us grow as individuals.

Traditionally when yoga was taught there were several steps of learning to be completed before an aspirant could begin to even begin to think about practising the yoga postures or asana.

 Over the coming weeks during the first part of our yoga session we will look again at understanding  the teachings of the Eight Paths of Yoga and learn how we can gain guidance to unifying body, mind and spirit with the ultimate aim of finding peace and unification with our world as a whole.

 Simply put, the Eight Paths are as follows –  

1.    Yamas :  Universal morality

2.    Niyamas :  Personal observances

3.    Asanas :  Body postures

4.    Pranayama :  Breathing exercises, and control of energy – Prana

5.    Pratyahara :  Control of the senses

6.    Dharana :  Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness

7.    Dhyana :  Devotion, Meditation

8.    Samadhi :  Union with the universe as a whole – whatever that may mean to us

The first two steps, the Yamas and Niymas are suggestions as to how to deal with the world around us and our attitude towards ourselves.  Both paths are broken down into several further sections which we will look at in some detail ….

The first of the yamas – Universal Morality or how we use our energy in relation to other beings is:

Ahimsa – Compassion for all living things ie non-harm

Before we practice any yoga it is important to understand that there should be non-harm to any living being, starting with ourselves.  This implies that in any given situation we should try to adopt a considerate attitude and do no harm in thought, word or deed – to others or ourselves.

We can begin by looking at this on our mat during our yoga practice.  We can try to develop compassion towards ourselves and not push too hard, to accept who we are and acknowledge the limitations of our body.  Listening to our bodies and knowing when to slow down, rest and recuperate .. both on and off the mat.  If we force ourselves we will never get the best from our practice or from ourselves in life.   Little and often, being gentle towards ourselves, no matter what we are practising in lif,e is far more worthwhile and rewarding than one long gruelling practice a week. No good ever comes from force.

I look forward to practising Ahimsa with you in our sessions this week…. In the meantime perhaps try noticing when  you might be causing “harm” in any way to either yourself or others.