How are we able to be at peace in the chaos?
How are we able to practice kindness, compassion and non-harming, aka – ahimsa?
This is the real yoga practice and much more challenging than any pose you may attempt on the mat, but this is what yoga prepares us for.
To navigate the holidays with ahimsa (non-violence), in mind, focus on self-compassion by letting go of expectations, setting boundaries, and being gentle with yourself. Extend this principle to others by practicing genuine kindness and communicating authentically. You can also practice mindful activities like meditation, deep breathing, or repeating kind mantras to stay grounded.
On self-compassion and inner peace:
- Manage expectations: Let go of a perfect holiday ideal for yourself and your loved ones. Be patient with yourself and accept that things might not go as planned.
- Practice mindfulness: Dedicate a few minutes each day to quiet reflection, meditation, or deep breathing to stay present and calm amid the holiday chaos.
- Rewire your thoughts: Observe your thoughts without judgment. Instead of self-blame when you feel sad or upset, approach these feelings with kindness, as you would with a friend.
- Journal: Write down your thoughts to gain perspective. This can help you identify harmful patterns and find kinder ways to move forward.
On kindness and boundaries with others:
- Communicate authentically: Instead of saying you are “fine,” be brave enough to express your feelings honestly. This can foster genuine connection and lead to compassionate responses.
- Practice kindness: Be mindful of your words and actions, striving to be respectful to everyone you encounter.
- Set boundaries: Say “no” when you need to. Respect your own boundaries as you would with anyone else.
On thoughtful action and giving:
- Mindful giving: The spirit of ahimsa also involves generosity. Consider donating to a charity or volunteering your time for a good cause.
- Be present: Embrace authentic moments of joy and connection. Cherish what you love in each moment rather than getting lost in material attachments.
- Choose your actions: Repeat mantras or affirmations that align with ahimsa, such as, “I choose my actions and reactions,” to help guide your behavior throughout the season.
- Express gratitude: Consider who/what you are grateful for in your life and express it to others.
🌱 💜 🥑
To navigate the holidays with ahimsa in mind while making vegan food choices, plan ahead by offering to bring vegan dishes, communicate your values with kindness, and focus on the non-food aspects of the celebration. Prepare dishes that can be shared with others, and if you’re hosting, you can choose to make the entire meal vegan with traditional comfort foods veganized.
On planning and preparation:
- Bring your own dishes: Offer to bring a delicious vegan main course and a dessert to ensure you have plenty of food options you can enjoy.
- Host a vegan meal: If you are the host, you can choose to make the entire meal vegan with traditional holiday foods veganized.
- Focus on seasonal, whole foods: Incorporate seasonal produce like pumpkins, squash, apples, and cranberries to create festive and naturally vegan dishes.
- Find vegan-friendly recipes to share: Explore vegan holiday cookbooks or blogs for ideas on making vegan versions of traditional sides and desserts, like vegan mashed potatoes with gravy or a shepherd’s pot pie.
On communication and social interactions:
- Communicate with kindness: Gently let others know about your dietary choice, emphasizing your values without being condescending.
- Focus on common ground: Shift the focus away from food by celebrating the non-food traditions of the holidays, such as games, decorations, and spending quality time with loved ones.
- Offer to educate: Share information about veganism when asked, focusing on positive aspects like health benefits and environmental impact.
- Manage expectations: Remember that food is just one part of the holiday experience and focus on the positive, connective moments rather than dwelling on differences.
At the event:
- Offer to contribute: Offer to help prepare food and suggest plant-based options to others.
- Label your dishes: If you bring multiple dishes, clearly label them as vegan to avoid confusion.
- Keep the meat in the kitchen: If you are a guest and the host is not comfortable with a vegan meal, you can ask for the meat-based dishes to be kept in the kitchen, away from the dining area so you can enjoy the plant-based sides at the table.
- Manage stress: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family and connect with the vegan community for emotional support to navigate potential stressors.
It’s no easy task, but with a dash of mindful breathing, a drizzle of understanding, and a sprinkle of compassion, you’ll be on your way to a fabulous holiday season.
Point of View, by Shel Silverstein: From Where the Sidewalk Ends
Thanksgiving dinner’s sad and thankless
Christmas dinner’s sad and blue
When you stop and try to see it
From the turkey’s point of view
Sunday dinner isn’t sunny
Easter feasts are just bad luck
When you see it from the viewpoint
Of a chicken or a duck
Oh how I once loved tuna salad
Pork and lobsters, lamb chops too
Till I stopped and looked at dinner
From the dinner’s point of view.
Interested in connecting with a worldwide online vegan yoga community? Join the Yoga Passion Pod the 3rd Monday of the Month from 5:00-6:00 pm ET.
Get Inspired!
World Peace Yoga FREEdom Month
Yoga for the Common Good
Compassion For All Yoga Teacher Training
Our Collective Heart
Posted by Anna Ferguson, author of World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe, a book on yoga that inspires peace in action, developing intuition, deepening empathy, and expanding compassion. Connect with Anna on Insight Timer for FREE meditations, at World Peace Yoga in Cincinnati and via Instagram @annafergusonpeace or via Facebook or join her for a class online at worldpeaceyogaonline.com.
