By Courtney Elmes
Yoga is inherently connected to the Earth: some of the very asanas themselves are based on forms found throughout nature. Reading ‘Myths of the Asanas’ by Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooij recently inspires me all the more to continue delving deeper into the origins, finding inspiration everywhere as the ancient mystics did.
One of my favourite stories from this book was the connection to snake energy via means of cobra pose, or bhujangasana. Much of yoga is discerning the internal sound within, that of cosmic origin – which is the goal of hatha yoga according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This sound is called nadam and is the most basic vibration of the Universe. Snakes ‘hear’ through vibration, rather than through ears (which they do not have), a worthwhile lesson for any yoga enthusiast.
However, rather than connecting to nature, in reality, the yoga world as we know it today has been overrun by a picture-perfect stereotype, that almost forgets to take into account the Earth and Her creatures, plants and landscapes as living beings to be honoured in deep reverence. In fact, the majority of yoga clothes (and mats) these days are made from unsustainable materials – of course, the market, whose appeal attracts practitioners by the billions, has not gone unnoticed by money-making moguls.
But where are our ethics in this? The way we bring yoga to everyday life has unlimited potential to highlight the yama and niyama, or ‘spiritual guidelines’ on how to live in alignment with our values.
Here are some suggestions for adjustments to make a practice more so…
- Mindful Gear Choices: Invest in a sustainable yoga mat and blocks once your old ones are out of use.
- Sustainable Apparel: Wear comfortable, breathable and 100% natural fibres.
- Go Natural: Use non-pollutant soaps/shampoo/conditioner to wash, that have biodegradable packaging (such as those found on mykitsch), and find kind make-up alternatives too!
- Reduce Waste: Buy a reusable water bottle and coffee cup.
- Buy Local: Support small businesses!
- Rotate Resources: Share books with friends (or even strangers!)
- Reduce Your Footprint: Carpool or walk, bike, use public transport to get to your yoga studio
- Ethical Gadgets: Look into gadgets that do not use extortion of materials or people (e.g. fairphone)
- Eco-Conscious Studio Choices: Look for those committed to protecting the planet.
- Practice in Nature: Find a dedicated space to connect to the world around and within, feel how the original yogis felt inspired by their surroundings.
Embracing the principles of ahimsa and love of the Earth in our yoga practice opens up a world of mindful opportunities. As we align our thoughts with such values, navigating our practice becomes an effortless flow; a seamless integration of conscious living… It’s a transformative experience where you may well discover, as I have, that the Earth reciprocates the gratitude you extend to Her. I am proud to be a part of the Awakened Spirit Yoga sangha, who care deeply for our natural world.
Dedication to living in harmony prompts deep introspection into our actions, and fosters a genuine connection with the planet we fondly call Home, our nurturing caretaker. Let our yoga journeys be radiant beacons of conscious living, infusing positive energy not only within ourselves but also to our surroundings, echoing the love and abundance freely given to us, as blessings, from Mother Earth.
