Hi! I’ve been wanting to start offering Yoga & Ayurvedic philosophy applied to the wild world of parenting. It’s been on my heart for some time so here I am, Now. Finally. Getting it out of my head and heart and out onto...the interwebs.: ) So why not start in the most logical place?: with Yoga’s ethical practices.
Ahimsa, the first listed Yama in the Yoga Sutra is often boiled down to “non-violence” & although true, could be seen by some as an oversimplification of the philosophy. Parenting with Ahimsa means leading with kindness and compassion—toward your kids, partners & yourself. Ruth Beaglehole says the definition of violence is “anything that harms the heart, body, mind or spirit”. What this means is that many forms of violence are much more subtle and go much deeper than simply “don’t hit”… perhaps in its more nuanced forms, violence could feel challenging to own up to. There is no such thing as a perfect parent & our practice of Ahimsa may feel more like harm reduction than perfect peace on most days. Ever feel like you’re constantly putting out fires ? Or just trying to “survive” the day? This challenge exists in all households! And as parents we can really work with Ahimsa (as in-depth non-violence) by cultivating a calm and supportive environment. Home can be a feeling, a peaceful sanctuary for the tender time of childhood. So what might this look like you ask?
Modeling self-compassion when you make mistakes. Own up, apologize & offer yourself & others grace. Also: FYI there is nothing wrong with adults apologizing to children!
Encouraging sibling harmony by celebrating cooperation over competition. Notice and acknowledge (out loud) the ways that siblings are gentle, generous & loving toward one another (even/especially if those moments seem few and far between).
Observing when you practice more subtle forms of violence (himsa) such as: shaming (ex. comparison between siblings), yelling, silent treatment, manipulating (i.e. “you’ll never grow strong if you don’t eat all of that”), inflicting mental/emotional pain without working toward reparation etc. Observe, pause, breathe & try to reset.
Are there any other great ways that YOU try to work with Ahimsa in your household? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Comentarios