BASICSThis principle can be as simple as the lessons taught to
kids, such as do not hit and do not fight, or it can get more
complex in the form of exercising restraint. Examples of this
are not talking ill of others or trying not to harbor hatred of
those who have done wrong. But ahimsa doesn’t solely apply
to how to treat others. It applies to how you treat your own
body as well. In a sense, it asks you to be your own doctor.
Ahimsa encourages you to consider the following issues:
✦ (^) Preventing injury or sickness
✦ (^) Learning to rest when you’ve overdone it
✦ (^) Finding ways to cope with stress at work or home
Some yogis also translate ahimsa to being vegan and not
harming animals. This works great for some, but not for all.
Deciding what it means to do no harm to your body can be a
personal matter.
SATYA
Satya is the practice of honesty—not only with others but
also with yourself. Being truthful is one of the biggest les-
sons that you can translate to the yoga mat. Once you start to
learn the poses, how can you be honest with yourself? How
can you listen to your body and understand when you’ve
pushed it too far or not far enough? Practicing satya can help
you feel better about yourself.
ASTEYA
Asteya is the practice of not stealing. It can also mean not
coveting the things that belong to others, whether they are
material or intangible. It’s the practice of letting go of jealous
feelings and ceasing to compare yourself with others.