Our Heart Work series has been diving into the idea of Ahimsa—non-violence—not just towards others but towards ourselves.
This week in class, I talked about a book I read as a child called The Twits. Do you remember how Mr and Mrs Twit are so cruel and bitter? Over time, their unkind thoughts and actions don’t just shape their personalities—they even start to affect their physical appearance. It’s a children’s story, but the message is powerful: the way we think, speak, and act shapes who we become.
In yoga, Ahimsa is about extending kindness and compassion first to ourselves. And just like in The Twits, negative self-talk and criticism can shape us in ways we don’t want. How often do we judge ourselves harshly for not being “good enough” in a pose or feel frustrated when our bodies don’t move the way we’d like? That inner dialogue matters.
Backbends are where this really shows up. They require openness and vulnerability, both physically and mentally. Forcing ourselves into a deeper shape without compassion is the opposite of Ahimsa. Instead, we can choose to meet our bodies where they are, with kindness and patience.
And if you remember the ending of The Twits, the monkeys and the birds don’t meet Mr and Mrs Twit with more violence—they outwit them. They use creativity and community to free themselves, showing that there are always kinder ways to handle difficult situations. It’s a brilliant example of Ahimsa in action—strength without aggression, change without cruelty.
In this week’s yoga classes in Rugby, we explored this idea—letting go of judgement and choosing kindness in every backbend. It’s not about how deep you go; it’s about how gentle you can be with yourself as you move through the practice.
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