Green Yoga Values Statement
www.greenyoga.org
Metta Earth Institute is a founding member
of the Green Yoga Association

The health of our bodies depends on clean air, clean water, and clean food. Yoga is grounded in an understanding of this interconnection. Historically, Yoga developed in the context of a close relationship with the earth and cosmos and a profound reverence for animals, plants, soil, water, and air. This reverence towards life is the basis of the Yogic teaching of ahimsa, or non-violence, non-injury, and non-harming.

Today, the viability of earth's life systems is in danger. If humanity is to survive and thrive, we must learn to live in balance with nature. Now is the time to cleanse and heal the earth and to establish a sustainable relationship with the environment for generations to come.

Therefore, as practitioners of Yoga we will:

· Educate ourselves about the needs of the biosphere as a whole and our local ecosystems in particular.

· Cultivate an appreciation for and conscious connection with the natural environments in which we live, including animals, plants, soil, water, and air.

· Include care for the environment in our discussion of Yogic ethical practices.

· Commit ourselves to policies, products, and actions that minimize environmental harm and maximize environmental benefit.

· And if we are Yoga teachers or centers, we will & incorporate these commitments into our work with students.

Endorsers of this Values Statement include:
Swami Asokananda, Barbara Benagh, Beryl Bender Birch, Scott Blossom, Kaviraj Stephen Cope, Seane Corn, Nischala Joy Devi, Shobhan Richard Faulds, Angela Farmer, John Friend, Georg Feuerstein, Lilias Moon Folan, Marshall Govindan, Ann Green, Leah Kalish, Sally Kempton, Arthur Kilmurray, Hansa Knox, Judith Hanson Lasater, Cyndi Lee, Richard Miller, Elise Browning Miller, Todd Norian, Aadil Palkhivala, Ranchor Prime, Kali Ray, Shiva Rea, Erich Schiffman, John Schumacher, John Seed, Henryk Skolimowski, Stuart Sovatsky, David Swenson, Patricia Walden