Ahimsa All Around: A Yoga Philosophy Alphabet by Kate Hall

A is for Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Non-violence all around

B is for Bīja (बीज): A seed or syllable of sound

C is for Cakra (चक्र): Psychic energy wheels that churn

D is for Dharma (धर्म): Your path or duty, the way you turn

E is for Ekam (एकम्): In Sanskrit it means “one”

F is for Freedom: The goal of yoga when all is done

G is for Guru (गुरु): To help steer the course

H is for Hatha (हठ): Literally it means “force”

I is for I’m not: My mind but something greater

J is for Japa (जप): Repetition, now and later

K is for Karma (कर्म): Let it all burn away

L is for Lotus: Cross your legs, can you stay?

M is for Mantra (मन्त्र): Sounds or words full of meaning

N is for Namaste (नमस्ते): A respectful form of a greeting

O is for OM (ॐ): To chant together with your friends

P is for Pranayama (प्राणायाम): Breath we hold, control, extend

Q is for Quieting: Your mind in meditation

R is for Rajas (रजस्): Hot, energetic, no hesitation

S is for Sattva (सत्त्व): Pure goodness we cultivate

T is for Tamas (तमस्): Slow, sleepy, with weight

U is for Upanishads (उपनिषद्): Wisdom teachings of old

V is for Vidya (विद्या): Knowledge to have and to hold

W is for Warrior: Like Arjuna on the battlefield

X is for the great unknown: Which we hope will be revealed

Y is for Yoga (योग): A transformation most profound

And Z is for Zippity Zound ! Ahimsa All Around !

(inspired by Maurice Sendak's Alligators All Around)