09/30/2026
There is a lot of of controversy in the western yoga climate today when it comes to the concept of ahimsa (non-harm) and what this piece of yogic philosophy actually asks of us.
Sometimes the concept is watered down so much it comes off as:
“GoOd ViBeS OnLy” or
not talking about difficult things, or
not making anyone uncomfortable, or
don’t bring negativity into the space…
Avoiding difficult truths doesn’t make the harm go away.
Ahimsa can mean educating ourselves about the systems and the histories that have caused harm.
It can mean listening to indigenous stories and experiences.
It can mean recognizing the ways we may benefit from, participate in, or remain silent about harmful systems and how our privilege plays a part in this.
But it can also mean choosing actions that contribute to something different moving forward.
Non-harming isn’t always comfortable because it can ask us to have the uncomfortable conversations, it can teach us something we didn’t know, and sometimes it asks us to change.
Today we remember and honour the children who were taken from their homes and communities, some who never made it home, some who survived but still carry deep heartache of things that transpired there and how these things can be passed down by generation. The impacts are everlasting and ongoing, there is much healing to be done and this can only happen when the past is acknowledged and people heal together while moving forward.
May our practice of ahimsa extend beyond the mat, may it be authentic (and uncomfortable when needed), and may it move us toward a future where ALL of our children get to grow up loved and safe.
With love,
Shiny Rock Yoga
