Do I have to be vegetarian? I get asked this question a lot by both students and fellow yoga teachers. My short answer - that's up to you.
One of the precepts of yoga is the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence. This is translated into the yogic diet by not eating the flesh of any animal. Many schools of yoga insist upon a vegetarian diet by both students and teachers. Many teacher trainings require prospective teachers to sign an agreement that they will not eat meat.
For me personally, I do not feel that it is appropriate to force any particular agenda or dogma on anyone.
In a world of extremes, I prefer to follow the middle path.
Becoming a vegetarian is a personal choice, not one that should be "mandated." Your body is your best guru, listen to what your body tells you. Ayurveda, which walks hand in hand with yoga, teaches that sometimes, for some individuals it is appropriate and healthy to eat meat.
I once spent a week with a group of Tibetan monks. They practiced yoga daily, they meditated daily....they also ate meat. Does this mean that they were less evolved or enlightened? Does this mean that they did not practice ahimsa? I think not.
Being a "good" yogi has little to do with what you choose to eat and more to do with how you live your life. Yoga teaches us to honor our bodies. To listen to our inner teacher. As we move forward on our journey, it's natural to develop a greater awareness and become more concerned about our health, our body and what we choose to nourish ourselves with. A vegetarian diet is not the best choice for everyone. I emphasize the word choice.... Because that is exactly what it should be...a personal choice.
Namaste,
Texas, Certified Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor at The Fitness Underground- Los Angeles
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