The Practice of Ahimsa or Non Violence

In this practice

Key teachings

• The principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) in daily life
• Mindfulness of actions and their far-reaching impact
• The subtle difference between intent and actual harm
• Utilizing yoga practice as a mirror for self-reflection and clarity

Ideal for

• Practitioners interested in yoga philosophy and ethical principles
• Individuals exploring personal responsibility and impact
• Ashtanga yoga students seeking philosophical depth
• Anyone looking to integrate mindfulness into their daily conduct

Lesson

Instructions

Sometimes, no matter our intention, no matter how hard we try, some acts of unintentional harm will be done.

Yesterday I looked underneath my shoe and found the dead body of a caterpillar. While filming this video a little caterpillar got caught under my hand as I changed position. I’m sorry to say it didn’t survive the encounter.

While it certainly was not my intention to harm these little beings, my actions nevertheless did. Because of me, there will be two less butterflies in the world. I felt very sad about the impact of these actions.

How do we navigate a world where no matter what we do, some harm will always be done? Does intent mitigate the impact of harm once it’s done? What about behavior changes?

No matter what happens, I will always come back to the practice because this where the mirror shines most clearly.

Join me and @timfeldmannyoga in June @miamilifecenter for a full Mysore season where we will teach every day for the whole month of June 2025 and January 2026. You can join only for morning practice, select afternoons or you can sign up for our One Month Ashtanga Practitioner’s Intensive in June. Full details online.

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Kino MacGregor is a yoga teacher, best-selling author, co-founder of Miami Life Center and Omstars, a leading online yoga platform. She has practiced yoga for over 25 years and meditation for over 20. she is one of only a few students to begin the challenging Fifth Series of Ashtanga Yoga and receive the Certification to teach from its founder K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India.

Steps

• Philosophical discussion and contemplation
• Mindful self-inquiry
• Principles of ethical living rooted in yoga
• Breath awareness (Pranayama) for inner calm

Benefits

• Cultivates compassion and empathy for all beings
• Enhances self-awareness and ethical decision-making
• Promotes a deeper, more mindful approach to personal actions
• Fosters emotional resilience in navigating difficult life situations