Practice Makes Perfect?

Yoga is more than just a physical exercise.  Many unfamiliar with the practice easily throw the term “yoga” in conjunction with crossfit, pilates, spinning, and the list goes on; however, there are multiples facets of this ancient art.   Yoga is divided up into eight limbs.  The first being Yama which is, “…the great commandments transcending creed, country, age and time.  They are: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (continence) and aparigraha (non-coveting).” (“Light on Yoga,” pg. 31 Iyengar)

Raised in a Christian home, these principles are eerily comparable to the Ten Commandments written in the Bible (Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV); however, my purpose in writing this blog post is not to convince you that Jesus did yoga!  I wanted to focus on ahimsa, the first ethical discipline of Yama. 

Ahimsa is more than just NOT abusing those around you whether physically, mentally or emotionally, it is about love.  Being kind to yourself, to others and yes, your enemies.   Love doesn’t have ulterior motives.  Love simply is.  So how do we get to this place where we are not kind to others solely because that is what we are “supposed to do” and kindness simply becomes part of our nature?  Practice.  Yoga is about continuing to better oneself.  Being aware of where you are, and not seeking a specific result.  So perhaps in the beginning of your yoga journey you have to consciously make an effort to treat those who disrespect you in a gracious manner, but I believe as time progresses, as these “good” decisions are consistently made, love genuinely begins to exude from your very being.  It’s not always going to be this way.  We are all bound to run into a situation that is frustrating and difficult to love through; however, with each testing circumstance we approach with love the clearer it becomes in determining what decisions should be made.  Perhaps practice doesn’t make us “perfect,” but it certainly makes us better J.