Ahimsa

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is broken down into 4 chapters. Within the chapter sadhana pada, the eight steps for spiritual evolution are described. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. Within the Yamas, there are 5 ethics, one of which is ahimsa.
Ahimsa is the ethic of nonviolence. Nonviolence is the very first of all practices explained by Patanjali as it sets the tone for how you practice yoga and interact with others. In a passive sense, ahimsa means to not harm oneself or another physically, verbally or mentally. As an active practice, ahimsa means loving and respecting all everything, including ourselves. It helps to calm the turbulent mind – moving us toward the sattvic or peaceful state that is needed for the higher stages of yoga.
On the yoga mat – Ahimsa is the practice of yielding to the body’s limitations. Pushing too far or having an overly vigorous, obsessive practice does more harm than good. Any yoga practice that depletes the body or causes injury goes against the ethic of ahimsa – to adhere to ahimsa you must lovingly accept yourself – your body.