EARTH DAY: Yoga, nature, & remembering we’re all connected

A Yogic way of life recognises that we’re not separate from the world around us – we are nature. We are connected to our surroundings via every breath. We breathe in as the trees and the plants breathe out, and all life on this planet depends on that ongoing, unspoken, reciprocal exchange.

In yoga philosophy, one of the five ‘Yamas’ (the ethical principles or guidelines which inform how we relate to others and the external world) is the idea of Ahimsa which means non-harming or non-violence. This doesn’t just mean being kind to others and ourselves, but also treading lightly on the Earth. And not just as a one-off Earth Day thing either, but as an ongoing and integrated way of life.

Yoga off the mat means slowing down, tuning in, making mindful, conscious choices that enable that sense of feeling connected to our surroundings and consider the impact of our actions.  In a world that is built around speed, efficiency and convenience, being a conscious consumer can still feel like an uphill struggle sometimes. And it does take extra effort.

Coming back to nature. Spending time in it. Being inspired by it. Letting it be my teacher helps me to remember why that extra effort is worth it. When I’m connected, I remember that I don’t need to rush through life. I don’t need much to feel happy. I just need to be here, and live in a way that feels in tune and aligned with the world around me.

This isn’t meant to be a preachy guilt-trip. I am by no means perfect, but I’m committed to trying, and I think there’s more we can all do to protect our one earth. It starts with each of us as individuals, and the small daily actions we can take that can all accumulate into big lasting change for the good of us all, and our beautiful planet.

Here are a few of the small daily practices that help me to live more gently:

• Bringing my own bags and containers to the shops instead of adding to my plastic bag collection

• Re-filling my toiletries and cleaning products (if you’re in North Devon, try Nature’s Nutrition for refilling your pantry/bathroom shelf/ cleaning cupboard), or sometimes making my own to reduce waste

• Normalising re-wearing and repairing things instead of replacing them

• Choosing second-hand or local produce when I can

• Spending time outdoors as a form of reconnection and respect, to remind myself why we should all care and why we all need to keep trying

And I’m proud to be a trustee for Earth Action North Devon, a brilliant local charity working to protect and restore the natural world right here in our community through educational programmes, community beach cleans, repair cafes and much more. If you’re based in North Devon and want to do something meaningful for the planet, go and check them out.

This Earth Day, can you take a moment to pause and feel the ground beneath your feet. Take a deep breath for the trees and the plants. Look up at the sky and hear the gentle hum of life around you as a way to reconnect, and remember every small act of care, every mindful moment taken to appreciate your natural surroundings, is a way of saying thank you to the Earth we all call home.