Ahimsa

Ahimsa, the first Yama in yoga, is often translated as “non-harm,” but it’s really an invitation to live with compassion — toward ourselves, others, and the world around us. On the mat, Ahimsa might mean choosing a gentler variation or taking rest when your body asks for it. Off the mat, it can show up as kinder self-talk, patience with others, or making choices that create more peace. At Be Well, we see Ahimsa as the foundation for everything we do — creating a space where everyone feels safe, cared for, and free to grow.

1. In what ways am I harsh or critical toward myself, and how does that affect the way I show up for others?

2. Where am I holding anger, resentment, or judgment, and what would it look like to soften that harm?

3. Are there relationships or situations where I feel unsafe or harmed-what steps could I take to protect my well-being?

4. How do my habits (food, media, work, speech) nourish or harm me over time?

5. When I think about living with compassion, what fears or challenges come up for me?

6. How can I be a little kinder to myself today?

7. When was a time I responded with gentleness instead of frustration, and how did it feel?

8. What brings me a sense of peace, and how can I invite more of that into my daily routine?

9. How do I see acts of kindness show up in my community?

10. What is one small, doable way I can practice Ahimsa this week — for myself or for someone else?

    
    

Practicing Ahimsa in yoga means moving with kindness and respect for your body, honoring its limits, and listening deeply to its needs. It’s about replacing self-criticism with gentle awareness, choosing variations that feel supportive, and creating a safe, nurturing space on the mat. By practicing non-harm in this way, we cultivate patience, compassion, and a deeper connection to ourselves that can ripple out into daily life.

1. How can I move more gently and mindfully in my practice to honor my body’s limits today?

2. Where in my practice do I notice self-criticism, and how can I replace it with kindness?

3. Which poses or sequences help me feel nurtured rather than challenged, and how can I incorporate more of them?

4. How can I create a safe and compassionate space for myself on the mat, free from comparison or judgment?

5. In what ways can I extend the compassion I practice on the mat into my daily life this week?