When we think of nonviolence, we might envision grand figures like Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. or major societal movements. However, nonviolence starts much closer to home, beginning with our own thoughts and actions and extending into our daily practices, including our time on the yoga mat.

Have you heard of ahimsa? This concept, deeply rooted in several Eastern philosophies and religions, is a fundamental principle that forms the basis of nonviolence. In the Yoga Sutras, ahimsa is the first of the five ethical restraints, or yamas,  it translates to “not to kill” or “to not be lion-like,” emphasizing restraint from harmful impulses. While ahimsa includes avoiding physical harm, its true depth involves looking inward and reflecting on how we treat ourselves—through our thoughts, words, and actions.

As BKS Iyengar wisely put it, “Ahimsa has a wider positive meaning—love.” When we consider nonviolence as a form of love, it shifts from a mere absence of violence to a proactive practice of kindness. It is about extending that kindness and love towards ourselves as well as others. This internal practice demands discipline, not in the punitive sense, but as a commitment to cultivating positive habits. It’s a journey of replacing negative self-talk and harmful behaviors with acceptance, compassion, and encouragement.

Practicing ahimsa involves more than just refraining from harmful actions; it requires a disciplined approach to kindness and self-care. Whether it's overcoming the urge to overwork, addressing negative self-talk, or making time for self-nurturing activities, this discipline is integral. It’s about replacing detrimental habits with practices that support our well-being.

When we truly embrace self-love and compassion, we naturally extend these qualities to our interactions with the world. As we become more patient and forgiving with ourselves, we find it easier to offer the same to others. BKS Iyengar beautifully expressed, “This love [ahimsa] embraces all creation, for we are all children of the same [Divine Being].”

By embracing ahimsa as a daily practice, we cultivate compassion and harmony within ourselves and in the world around us. This commitment to self-love and forgiveness creates a ripple effect, transforming our inner lives and our interactions with others. Let’s move beyond seeing ahimsa as merely an aspirational principle—let’s embody it daily and inspire meaningful change within ourselves and beyond.

Join the conversation and elevate your daily mindfulness beyond the mechanics of asana with our upcoming course, Yoga & Nonviolence: Moving Toward a State of Inner Peace.