Victoria Klein

Two months ago, I wrote about the yama I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training. Last month, I wrote a chosen yama follow-up post … and it’s already time for another one!

For a refresher, here is what ahimsa (the yama I chose) is all about:

Ahimsa is often translated as “non-harming”, but can also be seen as embracing compassion and love for all. It requires the belief that we are all one, cultivating an absence of anger, jealousy, and hatred. Feelings are welcomed not as failures, but an opportunity to seek their root causes.

“I am gentle to all beings.”

“I easily forgive myself and others.”

“I am free of fear and anger.”

“I move away from judging to loving.”

“I embrace all, trusting the Diving flow.”

So, how am I doing?

I’d say good all around - not much different from last month.

Life has certainly presented me with new challenges over the past month, such as teaching my very 1st Yoga class tomorrow + dealing with a questionable traffic ticket my husband received in the mail (we’re going to court to fight it). 

Admittedly, I find myself being more compassionate with others than myself during the past month. I have let my diet + running schedule take a back seat to getting things done + simply doing not much of anything - just taking some time for myself - and maybe that is truly what I need right now.

At first, I was taken aback by my depression-like feelings, but I remembered my ahimsa. Instead of just letting myself slip into emotional darkness, I gave myself the opportunity to slowly + naturally explore the root of my down-in-the-dumps/drained mood.

My conclusion? A complex mix of too much refined carbs/sugar + not enough running +/or Yoga + frustration over my husband’s traffic ticket + trying to find the money in our budget to get my scooter + fear/inadequacy/figuring out how to making a profit in my new Yoga career.

2012 has presented me with numerous challenges + changes already - and there’s still 8 more months to go! With all that has happened in just 4 months, I shouldn’t be surprised that my mind + body need some time to absorb/process it all, which would explain my need to slow down/empty my schedule lately.

I’ll be writing even more about my ahimsa efforts over the next few months of Yoga Teacher Training + beyond.

How can/do YOU practice more compassion with yourself + others?