Karma Yoga in Action: Practicing Compassion On and Off the Mat

I’ve been inspired this month by witnessing yoga as action amongst the teachers at Oca. Sometimes the world feels like it's burning, whether in our personal lives or when bearing witness to global events, and we feel disempowered to change things for the better. Through yoga practice, exercising compassion towards ourselves can then enable us to do the same to others when “off the mat”. Opposed to the concept of passively “letting go”, I’ve come to recognise this as the spiritual path of Karma yoga, actively meeting every moment with compassion, without attachment to the outcome.

Observing small selfless acts of kindness of those around me reminds me that we possess huge potential to improve our surroundings as these acts are counted. Practicing observance of ourselves and our environment allows us to see these opportunities, whether it’s joining a fundraiser, giving up a seat for someone on the tube, or simply offering to make a cup of tea for someone you see is struggling. Be the steady flame that lights the path through fire.

Love Yee