I never start talking about Yoga without first bringing up ahiṃsā, because for me, like the coordination of breath and movement, it is a fundamental part to our understanding of why Yoga is different to popping down the gym for a workout.
As one of the Yamas, on the first rung of the Yogic ladder, it is talked about by many scholars and interpreted in many ways. I bow to those learned people who have gone before, but need to equate it to my level of understanding to translate it onward to my students.
Ahiṃsā for me means 'non harming', acting with kindness to ourselves and others in a productive and considerate way. Within a Yoga class it means not trying to do something you cannot do and risking injury, being honest with yourself as to the possible outcomes and not competing with the person on the next mat; in this case it really is 'all about you'.
Form is high on the fitness agenda and often over-rides function, 'I want to look good' seems to be the main requirement! Yoga puts function first, in that you may not develop a six pack but you will be able to bend over and do up your shoe laces or ride out the stressful day at work.
We could argue the merits of exercise in all of these areas but I am a Yoga teacher and Yoga has helped me survive a number of battles; so I would say that!
So this is where we start, by keeping ourselves safe and being honest about what we can and can't do today, because with a sustained Yoga practice tomorrow might be very different.
