Embracing Aparigraha in Yoga: Non-Coveting Practices On And Off The Mat For Climate Consciousness (and Banana Bread Bliss) February 15, 2026
- rockbriarfarm
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
I am writing to you from some time away in Utah with my friend Dot and her family. It is a trip that I look forward to every year; when I first started doing it I was still working and we would work during the mornings and escape on our outdoor adventures in the afternoon (the time difference helped with that!) Dot still works part of the time and I get to ramble around her gorgeus house, reading and hanging out with her daughter Abi and sometimes her husband, Bart.
This year the impact of climate change is blatant and there is literally no snow in Park City other than what is being made at the resorts; this is contrast to the usual five or six feet in her yard and the ten to twenty foot base at the resorts. It has changed our snow shoeing and cross country and down hill ski adventures to lots of hiking and a side trip to Moab and Monument Valley. We can pivot on our adventures, but the weather is problematic and the prosperity of this area is impacted. Not only do the big corporate resorts suffer but the workers at the mountains, hotels, restaurants and city are finding their hours cut or jobs eliminated. It is troubling to see. The lack of snow fall also impacts the water sources and the dry conditions are problematic year round. I am struck by the difference in the landscape as we drive around and everything is brown rather than the winter wonderland I have come to expect.
When we discussed Asteya or non-stealing two weeks ago one of the things I considered was the natural resources of our planet and are we conscious of being considerate of what we take, use or pollute? Do we do our best to not take or steal from future generations or Mother Nature?
As yogis who follow the eight limb path we can support our planet with personal habits and support of policies that support the sustenance of the great gift of the earth that we are the stewards of. There continue to be cuts at the national level to environmental policies and we can add our voices and votes to those who disagree with the dismantling of these protections. We can reduce our single use plastic use, take a moment of gratitude each day for nature, consume less, recycle more and just live our lives more consciously aware of our impact on the earth.
This week we arrive at the last of the Yamas (this first limb of yoga) which are a guidelines for moral conduct. The fifth and final Yama is Aparigraha-non possessiveness/non coveting. Aparigraha teaches us to only take what we need and let go of what we don't; to moderate our attachments to people, things, experiences, and expectations. In doing so it may help us to examine assumptions and help us to build healthy relationships. Taking and using less of our natural resources as mentioned above certainly falls in line with adherence to this yama.
In past discussions of Aparigraha, I have contemplated the paring down of possessions, the donating of our “excess” time by volunteering as well as the gifting of money that can be used to help those less fortunate. Rather than accumulating possessions, practicing Aparigraha suggests that we spread wealth and abundance to all. Some of the more subtle ways to practice this could be by using our extra time to spend at a wildlife or coastal cleanup. We could also spend time with a older relative or friend in need. Perhaps that sweater that you love that your friend admires could be gifted to them!
On our mats during yoga, we practice this Yama when we focus on our individual practice, not comparing ourselves to others, coveting the way they practice. I have come to learn that, like yoga practice, if I focus my attention less outwardly and more inwardly it helps me feel less covetous of what others have whether it be possessions, relationships or just a beautiful looking wheel pose.
Last year when I reached the end of the Yamas, I mentioned the book by Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Both the Yamas and this book are excellent road maps of personal behavior with solid suggestions for being the best person we can be. The Yamas, help guide us to practice “all-encompassing yoga” which nurtures our inner quest for enlightenment or completeness - living our yoga off the mat!
For those of you curious to remember the kindergarten rules, here is a link!
Our Practice – Practicing Bindly
As I have suggested in prior discussions of this Yama, if we want to cultivate Aparigraha in our life we can start in class. While inward looking can be encouraged by doing a whole class blindfolded or with our eyes shut, it can also be a bit dangerous! I suggest instead that we try some of our poses with our eyes shut, cultivating that inward look and feeling our practice in our own bodies more precisely. This helps us to not worry about how others are doing a pose or how “well” we are doing it. This is a good time to remember one of my practice rules of “maintaining a sense of humor”. Be generous and giving to yourself in praise of your efforts. Push yourself in your practice – not to do things that are injurious or painful, but to try new things without judgement or fear of “not looking good”. Instead of being covetous or jealous of other students’ asana practices, perhaps generously compliment them, not on the extremity of their pose but on their obvious joy or commitment to their physical practice.
As you move off the mat, perhaps work Aparigraha into your daily routine by consciously cultivating gratitude for your own gifts and realize the fruitlessness of coveting others’ possessions or talents. For every material object or talent that you crave of others, there are likely 10 people coveting something you have. A vicious cycle. Let’s start on our mat and take it off the mat as we try to practice this final Yama.
Nurturing with Food – Banana Bread
Because I am in Utah with Dorothy I cannot help but again talk about making and enjoying banana bread. We have a mutual love for it and both agree that adding chocolate chips to it is wrong. Don’t misunderstand me, Dorothy loves sweet treats in the morning, we just agree that that is not the time for chocolate. Spending time with her this week has even resulted in bites of cookies in the morning! We have tried several versions of banana bread this week; I think you will like this recipe that is moist and delicious.
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne