Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.  – Buddha

When you choose to love, it’s like the hot coal, instead of getting burned you get loved.  –Todd Norian

Non-violence for social change.  Non-violent protest for freedom.  The practice of Ahimsa for a better life.   This was the doctrine of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  in his pursuit for justice and social equality.  Dr. King based his philosophy from the teachings of Mahatma Ghandi, who pioneered the idea of achieving political and social advancement though non-violence.

In the traditional yoga system, one of the first things taught are the yamas, which are a set of social practices.  They are practices of relationship and co-participation with others.  One of the yamas is Ahimsa-the practice of non-violence.  Ahimsa teaches us to not harm others.  Maybe this sounds familiar to you “Thou shall not kill”.  In other words Ahimsa is the practice of love and kindness, the epitome of not harming.  In yoga, we practice Ahimsa by offering kindness and love.

Ahimsa is not only being kind to others but also being kind to your self.  We often tend to be our own worst enemies, but how could you grow if you began to offer love and kindness to your own being?   Ahimsa places the important things, the things that matter back in your heart.  As you reconcile your vision of others you reconcile the vision of your self and the practice of Ahimsa allows happiness to manifest in your heart.