Though Shalt Not Judge

I've had a week of really being challenged by other peoples vocal judgements. Because I am learning through my Yoga Journey to adopt a code of non-voilence in all situations I have had to really take a step back from other peoples harsh opinions.
So, there were a few situations that challenged me this week but the following one in particular stands out.
(A quick backstory for anyone who hasn't read my earlier blogs - I have been through a pretty stressful time in my life the last year and with that came a bit of weight gain. Many times I have wished I was one of those people that lost weight when they are stressed but I'm not. I love food too much and I'm slowly re-teaching my self to love healthy food choices more).
I was particularly upset when a member of my family decided yesterday to make some insensitive and unapologetic remarks about my weight. The first feeling that emerged for me was anger and I immediately felt defensive and wanted to say something equally biting back.
But instead I chose to say 'stress affects every body in very different ways' and took myself for a walk on the beach instead. Ok, so to be honest - a few tears were shed at the beach but I was proud of my non-voilent reaction.
And it's so true - every body is just out there fighting a battle we know nothing about. I have no idea what is going on in that persons life that they would choose such hurtful words but I cannot take them to my heart.
Vanessa shared with us a teaching last week at Yoga from Deepak Chopra that says 'never judge a man when you know not which gardens he has walked through or the gravestones he has tended' and it really spoke to me. We were using it in the context of providing guidance to our future clients with an understanding that everyone's physiology is very different but I can see so many ways this applies to daily life.
I have worked so, so hard to have a healthy view of myself and we are asked to go into each Yoga practice with a clear intent.  Mine is 'strength, wisdom and self love'. I will choose love over absorbing someone else's judgement. I will choose to continue on my positive journey without judgement.


“We try not to label everything right or wrong, good or bad, but realise that these are simply two sides of the same coin…”
Deepak Chopra