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Eco Yogi Teacher’s Voice Green Yamas & Niyamas Clayton Horton In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the first and second limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas. They are suggestions for virtuous and correct living for spiritual practitioners. The Yamas and Niyamas act as a set of foundational ethical guidelines to reduce suffering and to assist practitioners on the path to self realization and liberation. Affirmations are statements to support the manifestation of your beliefs. Traditional Yogic teachings, Earth-based spirituality and Environmentalism all share a deep respect and reverence for nature. The following affirmations have been created to act as a bridge between the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali and the present day Environmental movement. These affirmations are for personal inspiration and may be used, edited, copied or redistributed by yoga schools and teachers to encourage intelligent living and responsible planetary stewardship. Yamas 1. AHIMSA: NON VIOLENCE • I observe the results of my actions so I may discontinue tendencies that are hurtful to myself, other human beings and all creation. • By eating a plant-based diet, I minimise global warming and world hunger. • As I recognise divinity in all creation, I recognise the sacredness of fragile ecosystems, all beings and myself. 2. SATYA: TRUTHFULNESS • I observe the need for widespread environmental education and action to maintain responsible stewardship of planet Earth. • I pay attention to the media and environmental research so I will be aware of the Environmental health and condition of our planet. • No matter how urban or industrial my life is, I recognise my connection and interdependence with nature. • I honor the wisdom of traditional cultures as well as modern science. 3. ASTEYA: NON STEALING • I give thanks for the food I eat, the water I drink and for the blessings I receive from the material world. • I support Fair Trade agricultural and manufacturing policies and philosophies when trading and working with underdeveloped areas of the world. • Acknowledging that I consume and receive so much from Mother Earth, I try to give back something, however I can. 4. BRAHMACHARYA: MODERATION IN ACTION, DIRECTING OUR VITAL ENERGY TOWARDS THE INTERNAL DIVINE. • I reprioritise my constant need to gratify my senses with a more reasonable agenda that includes taking care of others and the health of our planet. • I conserve my energy by not overindulging in work, sex, eating and sleeping so I have time and energy to do my Yoga practice and get outside to enjoy Steve Merkley WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT ASANA AND WHY? Seated forward bends are by far the most difficult asana. Tight hamstrings and a chronic low back injury make it so that pushing the thighs back (down) and wide into the hamstrings (neutralise the pelvis and naturalise the position of the low back) takes supreme concentration and continuous effort. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS ASANA? This has deepened my connection to that part of my body, improved my ability to concentrate, expanded my awareness of the line between effort and over-effort, and taught me what it means to find ground. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE? To maintain my ground through the other 22 1/2 hours of the day. Steve has been teaching yoga for almost 10 years. He was, until recently, co-owner and Director of Yoga at Yaletown Yoga in Vancouver. Steve is also co-owner of Raw Canvas, a living foods cafe and art house in Vancouver. nature with friends and family. • I recognise the environmental impact of a growing world population when planning the size of my family. 5. APARIGRAHA: NON- POSSESSIVENESS • I unsubscribe to the ideology that consumerism, urban sprawl and materialism equals happiness and progress. • I commit to taking only what I need, whether it be at the buffet line, supermarket or the shopping mall. • I recognise that if we all shared a little bit more and were not so greedy with natural resources and financial wealth, there would be less suffering on the planet. • I support responsible and sustainable methods of forestry, farming, hunting and fishing so our natural resources and certain animal species do not become extinct. Niyamas 1. SHAUCHA: CLEANLINESS, PURITY OF BODY, MIND AND 21