Yama 1: Ahimsa (Non-Harm & Radical Kindness) 🌸🐞

Yama 1: Ahimsa (Non-harm). On our Art Exploratory Walks, we practice radical kindness toward the ecosystem. We don’t pick the flowers, and we don’t disturb the wildlife. Instead, we use our paintbrushes to document and honor them exactly as they are—leaving only footprints, taking only sketches. 🌸🐞

When we step onto the trails for our Art Exploratory Walks, our first and most important boundary is Ahimsa—the practice of non-harm.

In traditional yoga, this means practicing deep compassion in our thoughts, words, and actions. Out in the parks and along the urban streams of Ithaca, we translate this into radical kindness toward the local ecosystem.

We don’t pick the wildflowers to get a closer look. We don’t disturb the insects or climb past the trail edges to force a composition. Instead, we slow down and use our paintbrushes to document, honor, and preserve them exactly as they are in their natural home.

Visual Concept: A close-up image of a hand delicately using a thin brush to paint a striking checkered wildflower (like a wild Fritillaria) into a tiny, pocket-sized watercolor sketchbook. The background shows an open watercolor palette with rich purples, magentas, and greens bleeding softly into one another on the mixing tray, emphasizing a gentle, non-disruptive presence in nature.

By capturing a delicate bloom or a passing creature in a tiny 2" square sketch, we learn to appreciate beauty without needing to possess or alter it. We leave only footprints; we take only sketches.

Want to practice moving through our local spaces with this kind of grounded, gentle presence? Join us this summer. Commit to the entire series for $100 before our first walk on July 4th!✨🎨

📍 Saturdays & Tuesdays | Washington Park #TeachingIthacaWellness #PaintYoga #Ahimsa #MindfulnessInMotion #IthacaNy #SomaticArt

https://www.teachingithacawellness.com/service-page/art-exploratory-walks?referral=service_list_widget