Philosophy
Ahimsa
Ahiṃsāअहिंसा· ah-HIM-sahnon-harming (a = non, hiṃsā = violence)
Ahimsa is non-harming — the first and foundational yama, extending to thoughts, words and actions toward all beings, including oneself.
Often translated as non-violence, ahimsa is the ethical cornerstone of yoga and inspired figures such as Mahatma Gandhi. On the mat it means never forcing the body.
Frequently asked questions
- What is ahimsa in yoga?
- Non-harming or non-violence in thought, word and deed — toward others and yourself. It is the first of the yamas and the ethical foundation of yoga.