November is World Vegan Month 💚
‘Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose’.
Whilst many people often think of Veganism as just a diet, it is a way of life that we can all take note from – whether it’s diet changes and/or lifestyle changes. A big part of this lifestyle is awareness; being aware of how our actions can hurt other living things, and aware of how we can make a difference.
But, how do we make ourselves more aware? A way in which we enjoy to do this is through Yoga – specifically learning about the The Five Yamas of Yoga, which are the five ways of practising awareness, also known as the the first five ethical principles of yoga.
The self-awareness that you can gain through practicing the five yamas can cultivate a deep, abiding sense of peace, by helping you transform your negative energy. The first Yamas is Ahimsa, which focusses on non violence – one that is apt for World Vegan Month.
“In Sanskrit the prefix a means “not,” while himsa means “harming, injuring, killing, or doing violence.” Ahimsa, the first of the yamas and the highest ranking among them, is the practice of non-harming or non-violence. This is the key, the sages tell us, to maintaining both harmonious relationships in the world and a tranquil inner life. At a deeper level, ahimsa is less a conscious process than a natural consequence of yoga practice. As our journey unfolds, it leads to awareness of the peaceful and enduring core that is our true nature; the desire to prevent harm is a spontaneous expression of that awareness. We begin to realize that the inner self in others is identical to our own inner self, and we wish no harm to come to any being.” – Source: Yoga International
Practice being more kind, accepting, and forgiving of yourself and others. When Ahimsa is fully embraced, it is said an inner confidence can emerge that is deep seated and surprisingly powerful. You can practice Ahimsa by trying a loving-kindness meditation – send kindness to loved ones, yourself, and all living beings. During your yoga practice, treat your body with kindness – observe your physical limits and ensure to rest when needed.