NicolePresents: Wellness

In yoga, there are four paths to enlightenment: Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Raja yoga. Karma yoga is based on the idea that to achieve perfection you must use action. In Sanskrit, the word karma means ‘to do’ or ‘action’, while yoga means ‘union’. Together, the words karma yoga mean union though action. Today, a great way to practice karma yoga is by giving back to your community. Volunteering, donating or creating an event to help raise money for a non-profit organization is a great example.

NextAid is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization committed to developing and implementing innovative solutions to the challenges facing African children. Their mission is to promote community-driven, environmentally sustainable, economically and socially empowering responses to the AIDS orphan pandemic. They collaborate with individuals, businesses and nonprofits to produce creative, culturally-rich, awareness-raising projects and music events involving technology, the arts, public education projects, and volunteer opportunities.

For updates on upcoming projects and events, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.nextaid.org

Yoga is more than just a practice, its a way of life!  So over the holidays, why not practice Ahimsa for the Holidays! Think of ways that you can contribute to the greater good. Finding ways to help the homeless, volunteer at a shelter, teach some free Yoga classes to friends, or donate to your favorite charity in the name of a family member as a holiday gift!

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The practice of yoga is an art and science dedicated to creating union between body, mind and spirit. Its objective is to assist the practitioner in using the breath and body to foster an awareness of ourselves as individualized beings intimately connected to the unified whole of creation. In short, it is about making balance and creating equanimity so as to live in peace, good health and harmony with the greater whole.

The core of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra (sacred texts) is an eight-limbed path that forms the structural framework for yoga practice. Each is part of a holistic focus which eventually brings completeness to the individual as they find their connectivity to the Divine.

Of the eight limbs the first are the Yamas which then are broken down into five “wise characteristics.” Rather than a list of dos and don’ts, “they tell us that our fundamental nature is compassionate, generous, honest and peaceful.”

I.  Yamas (Universal Morality) – First of the Eight-Limbed Path

1 (of 5)  Ahimsa – Compassion for all living things
. The word ahimsa literally means not to injure or show cruelty to any creature or any person in any way whatsoever. Ahimsa is, however, more than just lack of violence as adapted in yoga. It means kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful consideration of other people and things. It also has to do with our duties and responsibilities too. Ahimsa implies that in every situation we should adopt a considerate attitude and do no harm.

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