Green Studio Values
The focus of GreenYoga Studios is to think green. We suggest you select and stick with ONE statement, almost like a mantra that you use everytime that you make a decision. For example, ask yourself "What are the ripple effects of this decision?," so that even though it might not be financially feasible to choose the decision that you might wish, you choose knowingly. To select your theme with the help of the 5-step guide, first consider ahimsā
Ahimsā
Begin by understanding its opposite: Himsā. In the Indic philosophical system, the opposite is presented to further our understanding of that what we wish to cultivate.
Himsā: Thus, to deepen our understanding of ahimsā, it is helpful to look at himsā, or modern civilization’s unsustainable behaviors with planetary gifts of earth, water, and air. According to Natural Step and Natural Capitalism, two pioneers in the sustainability movement, the four root unsustainable behaviors that create imbalances in the planetary elements are:
We dig stuff up out of the Earth’s crust (e.g., heavy metals, fossil fuels);
We create and overuse manmade products (e.g., pesticides, fire retardants);
We damage free services of natural systems and the biodiversity (e.g.,
overharvesting); and
We create societies where many people can not meet basic needs with fairness.
Among the results of these are an increase in water consumption and population,
and a decrease in freshwater and air quality.
Sustainable Behaviors: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE. We can also further understand ahimsā by becoming familiar with sustainable behaviors, including basic bio-principles such as those expressed in Janine M. Benyus’s book Biomimicry; Innovation Inspired by Nature. Examples include:
Use waste as a resource;
Diversify and cooperate;
Gather and use energy efficiently;
Optimize rather than maximize; and,
Use materials sparingly.
These principles may be summarized as REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.
Aparigrahā
Begin by understanding the opposite: Greed is one of the three deadly poisons in spiritual traditions of India along with anger and delusion. Our worldly life depends upon the purity and balance of the five elements and the world’s wealth is based on the five elements: we must share the gift of the five elements. Yet, consumerism and advertising mislead us into believing we need more than we do.
Further Study
