Comments on: Non-vegetarian Yoga Instructors?

By: Jagadish

Jagadish — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:16:36 +0000

Reminds me of a story of the "eat what you are given" rule….one monk following this rule with his begging bowl was given some food by a leper, whose finger fell in the bowl. He ate the finger….are we on that platform?

By: your servant

your servant — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:13:32 +0000

Eating plants is also killing, and sages taught that there is karma associated with eating plants, though it is far far less than consuming meat. It is also the reason that the bhakti traditions offer vegetarian foods to the Divine Source, Rama, or Krishna, etc. The Divine source graces the food and removes any karma that may be involved in eating it.
Also…no violence is involved in obtaining fruit…it falls from the tree even!

By: Jagadish

Jagadish — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:07:16 +0000

I have been going to my parents house for years since becoming vegetarian. I agree its possible I have had an egoistic mood, but I think its also possible to sincerely feel I am not superior than those that consume flesh. At any rate, over time my family has become accustomed to my dietary choices, and now they voluntarily try to facilitate my diet; and my family members are conservative people. If you stick to your principles, in a mood of humility, who can fault you?

By: Lisa Rice

Lisa Rice — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:36:03 +0000

Yoga teachers in this country should be labeled "Asana Teachers." Very few, if any, are truly teaching Yoga.

By: ashley

ashley — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:49:26 +0000

I totally agree with you. It's similar to the commandment thou shalt not kill, yet millions of so-called christians still call themselves so while eating their standard american diet. It just makes sense that becoming vegan would be the natural path that evolves from a yoga practice, once you become conscious of how you feel after you eat and where you get the food you eat.. eating meat and animal products is counterproductive. People can argue on about free-range chicken and organic grass fed beef all they want- but the animal is still suffering an act of violence and the land is suffering degradation from the production of the food, which you will see (or maybe you already feel this way) isn't really "food" at all.

By: calclements

calclements — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 15:11:12 +0000

There is a lot of non-truth surrounding the corporate production of meat, which is where 99% of the United States obtains animal products. This is difficult to bring up in a yoga class, however. People don't mean to cause unnecessary harm. I practice ahimsa through a vegan diet because slaughterhouse practices are horribly violent (See http://www.earthlings.com/ or read Gail Eisnitz's book Slaughterhouse which has been reviewed at http://www.meat.org.uk/slaught.html) and because the health benefits of a 100% plant diet are wonderful. (See "The China Study.")

By: calclements

calclements — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 14:56:28 +0000

Both Buddha and the Dalai Lama followed the wandering monk's rule of "eat what you are given." But the Buddha was clear that killing animals for food was to be avoided. The Dalai Lama now has a vegetarian kitchen. See: http://worldpeacediet.org/DalaiLama.htm

By: Ten (Sexy, Sassy, Rich & Powerful) Yoginis You Should Already Know. | elephant journal

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 01:01:35 +0000

[...] of the Jivamukti Yoga Method, Sharon is the beautiful half of a powerhouse partnership with husband David Life. Gannon identifies [...]

By: ARCreated

ARCreated — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:20:58 +0000

meat eating yogis? of course they are on their path where they are…maybe students will feel more comfortable with them and gets them started on their journey. Perhaps we need not worry about it so much…put the info out there and let people come to their place on the journey as they are ready …Of course I don't mind nudging — soooooo if you are still eating meat I suggest "the world peace diet" book
if you aren't heatlhy on a vegan diet maybe it isn't your time — I "tried" it once about 15 years ago and was a pale sickly person…and for many years assumed it wasn't healthy and NOW?? as a vegan I am healthier than I have ever been… the mind/the reason/ the belief plays into it…lower your meat consumption and go vegan when it resonates with you.
Live Love

By: ARCreated

ARCreated — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:20:45 +0000

I think you can be an incredible yogi and eat meat — I just sort of believe that you can't go to the next level with meat in your diet (ps I agree that eating local organic is just as important) I have to say that one of the reasons I found veganism is because my teacher did not guilt or push or shame me…she simply lived the example and gave me info and when I was ready I came to it…and I have truly moved forward in many areas since making that commitment. I also do not put alcohol in my body, or prescription medications or any chemicals if I can help it (organic cleaning products etc) …for me it's about being the clearest channel possible… and that is no "superiority" it was an admission that I need LOTS of work and I can get more done without distractions… but I ask if you get "offended" or "angry" when people suggest you don't eat meat examine that reaction…