Ahimsa & Eating Plants

So....for about the past month I have been eating a plant based, whole foods diet. I have always enjoyed vegetables, eaten lots of them, i ate meat too, but leaned to vegetarian recipes and felt great when doing so. Transitioning to...and I hate to use the term "veganism" (people like to bust my chops about being a "vegan" - so i will stick to "plant based, whole foods" when describing my dietary choices)...but transitioning to this lifestyle choice was relatively easy for me. I knew my body felt better eating these types of foods and now that I have done much reading and research in the field - I feel confident about my choice.

Wanted to bring up an important point that relates to the "Yama" (rules or codes of conduct for living). The Yogic Philosophy of Ahimsa or non-violence, non-harming, compassion and respect.

As I am quite an open person - I like to share my life experiences and choices with my family and friends but with that I have noticed a lot of skepticism and criticism tends to drift my way. I have always been one to carve my own path (keeping in mind that sometimes it is important to keep other's opinion's in mind)... I continue to live my life the way i know and feel is right for me.
The lesson here - is that no matter what I choose to do - it is my choice and I honour that!
It is important not to criticize others for their choices - because at the end of the day - everyone is living their life in their own authentic way.
Ahimsa or non-violence, compassion and respect is one of the yogic principles that this scenario falls nicely under.

Ahimsa is one of the reasons I have chosen not to eat our furry friends - showing kindness and compassion to animals. But, the bigger picture here is whether you choose to eat meat or not...it is important to live Ahimsa=non-violence. Be kind to those around you - and that kindness will be reflected out to the world.
We must always respect the choice of others and not judge them.

So as I choose to eat my "crazy potions" as some of my family members call them (referring to the planet extracts and smoothie ingredients I consume), I too must practice Ahimsa. I do not anger or get frustrated any longer when comments are made about my choices - I am kind and do not judge the fact that they may not know anything about this type of diet and are acting out of fear or ignorance perhaps - it does not matter. People will have their opinions - and if we commit to always showing them kindness, even if we want to lash out and defend our choices - we will all be better off.

"plant based, whole foods" = amazing - making your senses roar!

Thank you to Alicia Silverstone and her life changing book "The Kind Diet" for such amazing inspiration.

Ashley's Morning Routine & Mantra Exercise for you to try!

My new routine - that flowed so well this morning that i am officially implementing it into my daily life. (I have been doing variations of it everyday....so the activities are basically the same, i am just loving the new flow).

OKAY!

Wake up - usually around 7 (but i like 6am better)
Nala Breakfast, Let Nala out
Sun salutation/warrior/meditation
Put on the kettle
Shower/dress
Breakfast/tea
Nala walk/adventure
Down to work. No facebook checking (at least not immediately). God. why is that little element so essentially part of everyday! haha. The world will not end if i don't check my facebook.
Once i get my iphone it will just blend right in with blackberry checking. I actually lied above....inbetween waking and Nala breakfast - there is some hardcore blackberry time. haha.

So that's my routine...what is yours?! Check out my beginner's yoga sequence video if you are looking for a place to start. Add yoga to your morning! (the video is only 10 minutes - take that time for you! And if you tell yourself you don't have time - consciously get up 10 minutes earlier each day....practice the routine and see how you feel!) Be energized and fresh!

My personal practice has been very rich lately. Lots of hours on the mat, lots of deep mediations and relaxations, and major openings in my physical body. amazing.
Morning routine (yoga) is not my "practice" for the day. I get on my mat at least an hour everyday for asana/relaxation/meditation. (usually at Moksha Yoga Waterloo - my second home)
But if you are new to yoga - try the 10 minutes in the morning......i bet it will change your life!
GO!

Before I end my bantering...I just want to share one more little piece of my own routine (haha i know, lots of routines, but they are good for my erratic vata tendencies - keeps me on track).
At the close of my "mat" practice everyday (for the past month, since my special someone has been away - is when i started this new specific one) I repeat the same Mantra. It is more of an affirmation i suppose, but it is a very beautiful part of my practice.

I offer this piece of advice to everyone - pick a few words, a saying, a quote, something that means a lot to you, or inspires, uplifts, or makes you happy - and repeat it to yourself everyday. It doesn't necessarily have to come at the end of a yoga practice, perhaps it is before you sleep or when you wake up (or at all three times if you want!).
But - repeat this to yourself. Find strength, solace and pure happiness from it. I will not say what mind is specifically.....but here are some ideas:

"I am beautiful, I am brilliant"
"I am positive"
"I will use today to enjoy my journey"
"breathe, its a new and exciting day"
"live today for me!"
"I let go of fear, I rise to the occasion"
"I breath in positivity, I let go of negativity"

etc......you get the point!

This mantra or affirmation is something positive to hold on to, something negative to let go of, or an action to make what you want to affirm - happen!
The following is something that i have done in my practice for a long time....try it!

Mantra Exercise - for personal hapiness



1. pick your own personal mantra or affirmation (for example's sake we will use "I am strong and creative, I will work hard today"

2. quiet the body, be still (sit, stand, lay, doesn't matter), close the eyes

3. Take a deep inhale through the nose and repeat {your mantra} "I am strong and creative" (consciously taking those words into the body, letting them settle)

4. Exhale completely through the nose or mouth and repeat "I will work hard today" (letting go of anything negative that will stand in your way of affirming this to yourself)

5. Repeat.

That is the beauty of the breath - it is renewal. Each inhale we can breath in positivity and things we need, and each exhale we can breath out negativity and let go of the things that we don't.

Try it - breathe and be happy. Happiness is not something we search externally for, but something found within the heart of all beings. So connect to the breath, inhales and exhales, and experience your place of happiness within you.

GO!

Lots of Love,

Ashley