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Ahimsa: Cultivating Peace Within and Beyond

In this blog post we explore Ahimsa – the First Yama (reflections of our true nature). It is a path of quiet strength and conscious compassion. If you haven't already, read our previous blog here - "Living Yoga~Unfolding the Eightfold Path"

Woman practicing mindfulness with hands on heart and belly, set against a serene blue sky with the word 'Ahimsa' symbolising non-violence and compassion in yoga.

Yoga is not merely about movement—it is a way of being, a practice woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. And at the foundation of this practice is Ahimsa, the first Yama, the guiding principle of kindness and reverence for all beings, including ourselves.


Some would even say that all teachings within the tapestry of yoga come back to Ahimsa, because when we bring the essence of reverence and love into each day, then the other yamas, niyamas and practices easily integrate into our being.


Ahimsa is more than simply avoiding harm; it is a conscious cultivation of love. It asks us to soften the sharp edges of our thoughts, words and actions, to meet the world with tenderness rather than force. In its essence, Ahimsa is an invitation to live in harmony—not just with others, but within ourselves.


To practice and cultivate Ahimsa is to listen, to offer ourselves patience, grace and forgiveness, just as we would to a dear friend.


The Many Layers of Ahimsa

Ahimsa is often interpreted as non-violence and avoiding harm to other beings. But its roots run deeper. Violence can take subtle forms: the harsh words we speak, the judgments we carry, the way we rush through life without truly seeing, feeling, or honouring the sacredness in all things. Ahimsa asks us to slow down, to tread gently and to infuse our actions with care.

It is also about how we treat ourselves. The way we push beyond our limits, the inner dialogue that wounds rather than nurtures—these, too, are ways we turn against ourselves. To practice Ahimsa is to listen, to offer ourselves patience, grace and forgiveness, just as we would to a dear friend.


Living Ahimsa

To embody Ahimsa is to move through the world through our heart, to meet each moment with presence and compassion. Here are some invitations on how you can practice cultivating this principle in daily life:

  • In Thoughts: Notice self-criticism and replace it with gentleness. Recognise judgement of others and seek to understand instead.

  • In Words: Speak with care and awareness, so your words are truthful yet compassionate, honouring both your truth and the impact they may have.

  • In Actions: Choose kindness in your interactions, from the way you engage with strangers to the choices you make for the earth and its creatures.

  • In the Body: Honour your own physical and emotional well-being. When we don't create the time to treat our bodies, emotions and minds with reverence and care, they will often remind us by sending us signals that are sometimes not so pleasant. We may experience unease or dis-ease in different ways. Move, eat and rest in ways that nourish rather than deplete.


Ahimsa is not about perfection; it is a practice. It is an awareness that unfolds over time, a gentle unraveling of the ways we disconnect from love. Each moment offers a new chance to soften, to choose peace, to live with intention.

For me personally, while I continue learning how to embrace the practice of Ahimsa, I've come to remember my own humanity and that of others– Each of us feels pain, joy, disappointment and love, the shades within shades of being human. And so my own individual experience becomes the experience of all.

As we tread the Eightfold path with curiosity, Ahimsa becomes the foundation—a steady, unwavering presence guiding us toward deeper connection, inner serenity and a life infused with sacred compassion.



How does Ahimsa resonate with you? In what ways do you bring this practice into your life? Share your reflections below—we’d love to hear your insights on this journey of mindful living.

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Acknowledgement of Country by Jonathan Hill, a poet living in NSW.

​Today we stand in footsteps millennia old. May we acknowledge the traditional owners whose cultures and customs have nurtured, and continue to nurture, this land, since men and women awoke from the great dream. We honour the presence of these ancestors who reside in the imagination of this land and whose irrepressible spirituality flows through all creation.​

​My Yoga Space pays respect to the Dharawal, Gundangurra and Darug Nations on whose land we live and work.
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