Namaskar - Oct 09

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
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