Santosha & Ahimsa - A Heartfelt Reminder to Love Louder

This month, our studio focus is Santosha — the niyama of contentment. Yet as we know, yoga’s principles are deeply intertwined.

In this reflection, teacher Jo-Jo shares how their experience at Atlanta Pride became a living practice of Ahimsa — the first yama, or commitment to non-harm. Through this lens, we’re reminded that cultivating peace within ourselves often begins with acts of compassion toward others, and that Santosha naturally blooms where Ahimsa is alive in the heart.

Last weekend was Atlanta Pride, and my first Pride event I’d ever attended. After work, my fiance, Aeryn, met me at the theater and we walked over to Piedmont Park together. For the most part, I was excited to have fun, support some queer-owned businesses, and walk with Aeryn in the trans march. But I knew there were bound to be a few homophobic protestors, and knowing they would be there was enough to make me feel apprehensive. 

I saw them as I entered Piedmont Park and my throat closed up. The moment I had to walk past them seemed to stretch on forever. What if they blocked our path, or followed us into the park? They didn’t. I think they were still setting up. I managed to forget about them more and more the further into the park I strolled, hand-in-hand with my fiance, past rainbow signs and happy faces.

The trans march was first on the docket. The group gathered at the far end of the park and started prepping and primping, steeling themselves to be seen. A few people carried signs - my favorite was a dad with a sign that read “I love my trans son.” People passed out flags and cupcakes and water. Before long, we set off. 

It was a simple walk around the block, except for the fact that we were escorted by police motorcycles on blocked off streets. We were loud, and onlookers were loud back. A drum major and someone with a megaphone led chants and cheers from the back of the group of marchers. Whenever we passed a line of cars stopped at a stoplight, drivers would honk their horns and hang out of their sunroofs and scream “yes!” There were onlookers with more signs, like the one that said, “Free mom hugs.” 

Aeryn and I both got a little misty. She is trans. Neither of us had ever seen such a powerful display of trans joy and love before.

Then as we rounded the last corner, I realized with dread that the place the homophobic protestors had been setting up earlier was at the end of the trans march. They were there with their own signs, waiting to shout at us from the left side of the street.

I didn’t know what to do. Smile and wave? Shout back? Ignore them completely? Some marchers were flipping the protestors off, others were blowing them kisses. I’m pretty conflict-avoidant, but could I really ignore someone if they shouted right in my face? Or my trans fiance’s face?

I turned my face away to collect myself and formulate a plan, when I saw the most warm and welcoming sight on the other side of the street. Members of a nonprofit organization called Pansy Patrol lined the right side of the street waving oversized flowers, blowing bubbles, and tooting noisemakers! It was more raucously joyful and supportive than any other part of the march. They were drowning out the hate by loving louder! I gratefully let out a breath and let the worrying and strategizing fall away as I kept my head turned firmly to the right, without one more thought of whatever was happening on the other side of the street.

How does this relate to yoga? The first yama, or social commitment of a yogi, is ahimsa, which means non-violence and non-harm. It extends beyond physical violence to include harm in thought, speech, and action toward all living beings, including oneself. 

Many yogis see ahimsa as a given. Of course they’re not being violent in their daily lives. They’re not intentionally causing harm, obviously.

But sometimes, non-violence isn’t enough. It’s passive. It’s incomplete. For starters, practicing “non-” anything is usually less direct and less effective than embracing a positive counterpart. It’s a proven fact that setting “I won’t” goals is less effective than setting “I will” goals. Non-violence is a negative, the absence of something. It’s harder to practice. But practicing love is positive, simple, and radically effective. 

What if, instead of just avoiding harm, we actively choose love? It takes more effort and more courage, but it’s worth it. Remember, the only way to drown out hate is to love louder. Not just avoid the hate. Not just shut down the hate. Love loud and proud with your whole heart.

This is not just a useful lesson for social situations, but also for self-talk. I know my voice of self-criticism can be very loud, sometimes even creeping dangerously close to hatred. Why do I think it’s okay to talk to myself like that? 

Your consciousness is walking down the middle of your mental street. It may not be able to ignore the self-deprecating thoughts. It might even believe them. It might turn its head to the left. Don’t let it be distracted by those shouts of hatred! Give it something to turn its head for. Be your own Pansy Patrol. Blow bubbles. Make noise. Proclaim your self-love so loudly that you drown out the hate.

How do you practice this outspoken, active kind of ahimsa, either with others or yourself? I’d love to hear what makes you feel most in touch with this yama.

In love and light,

Jo-Jo

At Many Paths Wellness, we honor every path toward inner peace and authentic living. Each story shared in our community reminds us that contentment and compassion walk hand in hand.