Teaching Yoga Philosophy to Children | Ahimsa

When we think of yoga a lot of the time we think of the physical practice: asana. The yoga postures, flow and movement that enables individuals to move their bodies physically. As we teach in our childrens’ yoga classes there is much more to YOGA then just a physical practice. There is the lifestyle which incorporates the YAMA’s and NIYAMA’S (sort of like guiding principles, ethics, morals), there is MEDITATION, breathing techniques (PRANAYAMA) and there is a huge history of yoga and where it originates from which also includes the YOGA SUTRAS.

Today I am going to talk about AHIMSA which is one of the YAMAs. Ahimsa can loosely translate to non-harming. When we think of ahimsa we apply the principle to all things around us. So we look at being non-harming to ourselves, to our friends, families, animals, the environment, etc.

With Earth Day on April 22nd it was a great opportunity to speak to our children about how we can be non-harming and non-violent towards the Earth. Asking them in what ways we can nurture the Earth that we live on, taking care of it and preserving it. For example, we can turn the water off while we brush our teeth instead of leaving the tap running; we can turn lights off when we are not in a room; we can turn the car off instead of idling when waiting.

Some may choose to not eat any meat, others may choose to ensure that the meat they do eat comes from animals who are treated humanely.

I often guide my two-year-old with incorporating ahimsa in her life and the choices she makes. For example, we remind her to use her words, rather than using her hands for hitting when something isn’t going the way she would like it to. We demonstrate how to be caring towards our friends and family. We take care of our pets and include them as part of our family.

What are ways that you can incorporate ahimsa into your lifestyle and share in this with your child? Take a moment to sit with your little one and see what amazing things they can come up with!