How is it possible to love a sport that involves so much violence and still believe in the importance of ahimsa? Non violence is such a large part of yoga; to one's body, one's inner thoughts and one's actions. How is it possible to believe in the importance of this and yet still love hockey or football?
I have been struggling with this lately. Especially during football season. My husband and I have been watching football together since we starting dating and for the first time I have been resistant. I enjoy it, but I would rather go read a book or do something else. I have been trying to be better at ahimsa and I find it a contradiction to go and watch hours of fast, hard hitting sports. Yet I do enjoy them...
So you see my dilemma?
My love of sports (hockey and football) truly has not changed however I struggle with the level of importance it has on my life. When we spend all Sunday essentially in our TV room watching football and eating crappy food. (Yummy...half the reason I enjoyed football at first was the food!) Now we are vegetarian, and I am trying to get my yoga on as much as I can while I am 22 weeks pregnant with our second child. Where do I have time to waste on things that do not fit into the life plan?
How does one enjoy football or hockey while staying true to their beliefs about violence? Do I really want my child to grow up in Canada and not play hockey at least once to see if she likes it? I grew up playing hockey and it helped shape the women I am now? Does that mean I am a bad yogini? These contradictions are constantly arising and its how we handle them that really matters.
What if I take Non violence to mean I don't watch action
movies or any tv show that have violence in it? How extreme am I willing
to let this go?
For now, this is still debating in my mind. I think I will enjoy the time I have to watch some football and hockey. Reminding myself that no one is trying to injure the other team. Physical contact does not equal violence. Taking each decision as the moment arises and limiting just how much I allow in.
One day at a time!
Namaste
