WEEK 1

50 minute class

75 minute class

Ahimsa means non-violence. Non violence toward others, and non. violence toward ourselves.

“…Killing and doing physical harm are grosser forms of nonviolence that are easily seen and understood. However, nonviolence has many subtle implications as well. When we feel hurried, afraid, powerless, out of balance, and harsh with ourselves, we may find ourselves speaking words of unkindness or even exploding with a violent outburst… we learn that our ability to be nonviolent to others is directly related to our ability to be nonviolent with ourselves.” - The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

Saucha means cleanliness, or purity, and refers to the physical as well as the mental and spiritual.

Prompt 1: This week, consider how violence shows up in your relationship with yourself on and off of your yoga mat. Do you exhibit compassionate behavior with yourself, or are you harsh and unyielding? On the mat, do you hold yourself to unrealistic standards? How can you show up to yoga with an open mind and compassionate heart? How could a non-violence practice positively impact your relationship with yourself on your yoga mat, and ultimately, in your life?

PROMPT 2: Cleanliness refers not only to our physical state, but also to our mental state. A clean space creates room for mental clarity. A clean body represents pride in our selves. Cleanliness of thoughts refers to orderly, non harming mental processes. Consider how you might incorporate a cleanliness practice into your life - perhaps a daily hygiene practice or a weekly tidying up practice. How does order in the home (body and living space) translate to greater organization of thought, and a more peaceful mental state?

Share your weekly takeaways with the Kula (community) via this doc!