This past year I have been working on getting my 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification. Yoga has always been my lifeline; a set of tools to alleviate physical, mental and emotional stress. My first yoga class was in my living room at the age of 14 taught by my older sister’s friend Mike Williams who had just returned from study in India. I was quite taken and impressed by this and by Mike too! I had been in the emergency room with pain and back spasms that took my breath away due to scoliosis and a hiatal hernia. From a young age it was difficult to get out of bed in the morning due to my sore, stiff neck and back. Over the years I have periodically practiced various forms of yoga. In my 40’s after several years off the mat, I returned and did a yoga challenge. I grew 1 ½ inches in height, lost my “over 40” flabby arms and love handles, and with some dietary changes lost 35 pounds.

 

Yoga is so much more than the asana (the physical practice.) Yoga is an ancient set of tools; a map to navigate healthy living. It also encompasses breath work, ethical guidelines, and a road map for focus, concentration, meditation and ultimately peace, freedom and bliss.

 

 

The Yamas and Niyamas are the first set of guidelines or stepping stones on the 8 fold path of the yoga sutras (the basic text for classical yoga).

 

Today I want to share the first Yama, Ahimsa which translates to “nonviolence.” Yoga is meant to be experienced, resulting in self-discovery and growth. Nonviolence must begin with the self before it can be extended to our relationships and the environment. Like the Hippocratic Oath, the message is to “Do no harm.” 

 

My goal is to practice and model nonviolence by first becoming conscious of the automatic negative beliefs (Ants) and self-limiting beliefs (SLB) that keep us stuck; which is a form of self-violence.

 

Here are a few strategies to practice personal nonviolence:

 

The bottom line is, we can choose to react out of fear or respond out of love. If you want more peace, you have to create inner peace.

 

So take an honest personal assessment. Are you a worrier? Do you spend most of your time trying to “fix” others?  What if you consider accepting that we are all perfectly imperfect? Consider trials and shortcomings as vital lessons to be learned on the journey of life.

 

Instead of trying to fix yourself or others, consider practicing compassion, trust and acceptance that you are unique and magnificent just as you are. Practice these strategies and see how much patience, compassion and peace you can cultivate in yourself. Share what you discover.

 

I write these out as a reminder to self. If you’ve read my book, Savvy Secrets, you know that the more I tried to “fix” my daughter, the bigger the wedge grew between us. As a mother, it is easy to over-function and attempt to do for our children what they need to do for themselves. This robs them from developing their own strength and realizing the benefit of self-discovery.

 

Carpe Diem,

Lisa

ABOUT LISA JACKSON, RN, CHC, RYT

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker, and coach with a mission to inspire and empower others to feel their best at any age. Her book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think & Thrive outlines seven steps that are fun and transforming. Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement, the International Health Coach Association and the Wellness Inspired Network. When she is not coaching, speaking or writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance at every opportunity.