Namaskar - Oct 09
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Eco Yogi<br />
Teacher’s Voice<br />
Green Yamas & Niyamas<br />
Clayton Horton<br />
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the first and second limbs of<br />
Ashtanga Yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas. They are suggestions<br />
for virtuous and correct living for spiritual practitioners. The<br />
Yamas and Niyamas act as a set of foundational ethical guidelines to<br />
reduce suffering and to assist practitioners on the path to self<br />
realization and liberation. Affirmations are statements to support<br />
the manifestation of your beliefs.<br />
Traditional Yogic teachings, Earth-based spirituality and<br />
Environmentalism all share a deep respect and reverence for nature.<br />
The following affirmations have been created to act as a bridge<br />
between the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali and the present day<br />
Environmental movement. These affirmations are for personal<br />
inspiration and may be used, edited, copied or redistributed by yoga<br />
schools and teachers to encourage intelligent living and responsible<br />
planetary stewardship.<br />
Yamas<br />
1. AHIMSA: NON VIOLENCE<br />
• I observe the results of my<br />
actions so I may discontinue<br />
tendencies that are hurtful to<br />
myself, other human beings and<br />
all creation.<br />
• By eating a plant-based diet, I<br />
minimise global warming and<br />
world hunger.<br />
• As I recognise divinity in all<br />
creation, I recognise the<br />
sacredness of fragile ecosystems,<br />
all beings and myself.<br />
2. SATYA: TRUTHFULNESS<br />
• I observe the need for<br />
widespread environmental<br />
education and action to<br />
maintain responsible<br />
stewardship of planet Earth.<br />
• I pay attention to the media<br />
and environmental research so I<br />
will be aware of the<br />
Environmental health and<br />
condition of our planet.<br />
• No matter how urban or<br />
industrial my life is, I recognise<br />
my connection and<br />
interdependence with nature.<br />
• I honor the wisdom of<br />
traditional cultures as well as<br />
modern science.<br />
3. ASTEYA: NON STEALING<br />
• I give thanks for the food I<br />
eat, the water I drink and for the<br />
blessings I receive from the<br />
material world.<br />
• I support Fair Trade<br />
agricultural and manufacturing<br />
policies and philosophies when<br />
trading and working with<br />
underdeveloped areas of the<br />
world.<br />
• Acknowledging that I<br />
consume and receive so much<br />
from Mother Earth, I try to give<br />
back something, however I can.<br />
4. BRAHMACHARYA: MODERATION<br />
IN ACTION, DIRECTING OUR VITAL<br />
ENERGY TOWARDS THE INTERNAL<br />
DIVINE.<br />
• I reprioritise my constant need<br />
to gratify my senses with a more<br />
reasonable agenda that includes<br />
taking care of others and the<br />
health of our planet.<br />
• I conserve my energy by not<br />
overindulging in work, sex,<br />
eating and sleeping so I have<br />
time and energy to do my Yoga<br />
practice and get outside to enjoy<br />
Steve Merkley<br />
WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT ASANA AND WHY?<br />
Seated forward bends are by far the most difficult asana. Tight<br />
hamstrings and a chronic low back injury make it so that pushing<br />
the thighs back (down) and wide into the hamstrings (neutralise the<br />
pelvis and naturalise the position of the low back) takes supreme<br />
concentration and continuous effort.<br />
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS ASANA?<br />
This has deepened my connection to that part of my body,<br />
improved my ability to concentrate, expanded my awareness<br />
of the line between effort and over-effort, and taught me what it<br />
means to find ground.<br />
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR PRACTICE?<br />
To maintain my ground through the other 22 1/2 hours of the day.<br />
Steve has been teaching yoga for almost 10 years. He was, until<br />
recently, co-owner and Director of Yoga at Yaletown Yoga in<br />
Vancouver. Steve is also co-owner of Raw Canvas, a living foods<br />
cafe and art house in Vancouver.<br />
nature with friends and family.<br />
• I recognise the environmental<br />
impact of a growing world<br />
population when planning the<br />
size of my family.<br />
5. APARIGRAHA: NON-<br />
POSSESSIVENESS<br />
• I unsubscribe to the ideology<br />
that consumerism, urban sprawl<br />
and materialism equals<br />
happiness and progress.<br />
• I commit to taking only what<br />
I need, whether it be at the<br />
buffet line, supermarket or the<br />
shopping mall.<br />
• I recognise that if we all<br />
shared a little bit more and were<br />
not so greedy with natural<br />
resources and financial wealth,<br />
there would be less suffering on<br />
the planet.<br />
• I support responsible and<br />
sustainable methods of forestry,<br />
farming, hunting and fishing so<br />
our natural resources and certain<br />
animal species do not become<br />
extinct.<br />
Niyamas<br />
1. SHAUCHA: CLEANLINESS, PURITY<br />
OF BODY, MIND AND<br />
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