Ahimsa: the First Yama

Non-Violence, Non-Harming

What Is Ahimsa?

Ahimsa is the first Yama of the Yoga Sutras**. The first step of the Ashtanga or Classical Yoga path. Most translate it as non-violence. It may be better translated as non-harming to any living thing in word, thought, or deed. This gives it the more encompassing meaning it actually is. Ahimsa is the most important of the Yamas or restraints or moral vows. All the rest of the Yamas are rooted in this one. There are 5 in total. To practice ahimsa, one must not judge another or any living thing. Because those thoughts could be harmful, Yoga recognizes that everyone is part of everything. We are all part of the divine energy in all living things. To harm another is to harm ourselves. To have compassion for ourselves and others no matter what is to practice Ahimsa. To recognize that we are all mirrors of one another is to practice Ahimsa. To see the Divine energy in every living thing and to see the soul within is to practice Ahimsa. To not judge anyone by their appearance and not judge them in any way is to practice ahimsa. To come from a place of love, and to respond with love is to practice ahimsa. Ahimsa is valid now as it has always been.

**The Yoga Sutras

The Yoga Sutras, written by Patanjali, is a fundamental and foundational text of classical Yoga Philosophy. Patanjali did not write the material found in the sutras. That information can be found in other Vedic texts from earlier in history. However, Patanjali codified and systemized the information into an organized theory and system of practice. They are referred to as Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga means eight limbs. The Yoga Sutras are made up of 195 aphorisms or sutras. This text has become a premiere source for those studying yoga and living a yogic lifestyle.