What Yogis Eat: Ahimsa 101
Yoga itself has an in-depth background and in that comes the Yamas. Written in The Sutras by Patanjali. Yamas are a recommendation of how to live a more spiritual path. The first one is ahimsa, or non-harming. This means not thinking negatively about ourselves or others but instead to live in harmony. Naturally, conflict will come up and our job is to step into the discomfort rather than away. In search of a mantra for ahimsa?
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu is essentially a sanskrit prayer that is meant to invoke compassion. May all beings be happy and free. Integrating this lesson can be interpreted and referred to all the things- people, animals, the environment you name it. Just to plant this seed, just maybe that means exploring a plant-based diet or at the very least making an effort to know where our food comes from and the process it went through to get on our plate. Making this kind of adjustment is called spiritual activism.
To be activated by spirit and express compassion towards all beings. Some people may think this is extreme and think it is an act of deprivation and ultimately it might be a little, but ultimately it boils down to perspective. The bottomline is can you start to think about how and when to be compassionate in all of our relations.
Just to recap, there are many yogis out there that eat and drink whatever the f@$% they want and it’s not necessarily right or wrong. Ultimately, individuals need different things in different times of our lives. What we eat is a choice and a privilege to have the access to certain foods. Our mindset and how what we prioritize food is a lifestyle. Personally, I think it’s important to explore our food system.
Based on our ethical values and being more in tune with our choices may result in creating a holistic and healthy lifestyle. The choice is yours, here are some meals yogis eat.
Jenna’s relationship with yoga started in 2000, and little did she know that it would have such a positive impact on her life. Soon after diving into the world of yoga, Jenna realized that this practice wasn't just physical but that it also broadened her emotional and spiritual awareness.
She started teaching yoga in 2008 and has studied several different styles including hatha, vinyasa, yin, restorative, and anusara. Jenna's love for yoga practice spurred her passion for holistic health and wellness and inspired her to study holistic nutrition. She now shares her knowledge of yoga and healthy living both on and off the mat in her classes, online cleanse programs, workshops and retreats.
Jenna recognizes that yoga has powerful, therapeutic effects on the body and mind which can impact how we feel on a daily basis and how we show up in life. She believes that integrating the lessons learned on the mat into everyday life is the true medicine of this practice.
Jenna graduated from the 300 HR at the Yoga Forest in November 2017. She is on the Kula Path and recently apprenticed at the 200 HR in Costa Rica in March.
To find out more about Jenna's approach to holistic health, yoga, and plant-based living, check out her website jennacarpenter.org