Yogic Wisdom for Planetary Stewardship

Happy Earth Month, Namaspa Community!

Every April, people around the world pause to reflect on the Earth – our collective home, our source of life, and a mirror for our interconnectedness. On Earth Day (April 22), voices rise in celebration and stewardship. We speak of protecting resources, cleaning waterways, planting trees, reducing waste, and inspiring one another toward more sustainable living. But what if Earth Day wasn’t just a date on the calendar? What if it was a way of living – a mindset rooted in reverence, connection, and daily practice?

At Namaspa, we believe yoga offers a beautiful lens through which to view our relationship with the planet. Earth care is self-care. And yogic philosophy provides rich, practical guidance on how to live in deeper alignment with the Earth – not only during Earth Month, but every day of the year.

The yamas and niyamas -- ethical and spiritual precepts set forth in the teachings of the eight limbs of yoga -- offer powerful teachings that resonate deeply with the values of sustainability, compassion, and care.

Let’s take a closer look at two that feel especially relevant this Earth Month.

Asteya: Non-Stealing + Reciprocity

Within the eight limbs of yoga, the yamas are ethical guidelines for interactions with others and the world – one of which is asteya, which invites us to examine our relationship to consumption. Asteya is not just about refraining from stealing others’ possessions; it's also about not taking more than we need. In the context of applying this principle and practice to the Earth, asteya invites us to reflect on questions like:

• Where am I taking from the Earth, and therefore the future, without giving back or making an effort to be a part of replenishing or regenerating what I’ve used? 

• Where am I using resources in excess, or out of habit, rather than out of true need?

• What are the kinds of resources I have access to, or use and benefit from, that are freely given without ownership? (parks, libraries, concerts, sunsets, etc.)

  
  

Making a conscious effort to apply and practice asteya within the context of caring for the Earth, consuming less, and reducing waste can inspire simple, meaningful shifts in daily life. For example, perhaps try one or more of these this Earth Month:

• Reduce single-use plastics and choose reusable options;

• Plan meals to reduce food waste;

• Take only what is truly needed and/or will be enjoyed in the long-term – from food to fashion to fuel;

• Share, borrow, or repurpose rather than buy new;

• Shop locally and seasonally - and some resources to do this within Central Oregon are below:

  • Locavore (Central Oregon’s only year-round indoor farmers market)

  • Downtown Bend Farmers Market (opening May 2025)

  • Redmond Farmers Market (opening May 2025)

  • Northwest Crossing Farmers Market (opening June 2025)

  • Sisters Farmers Market (opening June 2025)

    
    

Through an intentional, conscious, and systematic practice of using less, leaving more for others, sharing resources, and contributing to replenishing and regenerating things we do use, asteya becomes a living practice of mindful consumption and reciprocity. Asteya becomes a living reminder that every small choice can be a loving act toward the planet and its precious resources.

Santosha: Contentment

Within the eight limbs of yoga, the niyamas are practices for cultivating self-discipline and positive personal and spiritual growth – one of which is santosha, which is the yogic practice of contentment. Contentment, not in a forced way, but the gentle awareness that what we have is enough. That we are enough. That all of what we receive, have, and have access to is precious.

In the context of applying this principle and practice to the Earth, santosha invites us to reflect on questions like:

• When do I notice I am looking for contentment from something outside of myself?

• What belief systems/beliefs have I adopted from my family, going to school, different levels of society/culture about what I 'should' do in or with my life (e.g., beliefs about trying, striving, succeeding/success)? How do these belief systems/beliefs include or exclude, prioritize or no prioritize, feelings of contentment and fulfillment?

• What do I notice/experience when I practice gratitude and nonseeking?

In a culture driven by “more, better, faster,” santosha slows us down. It invites us to find joy in simplicity, to savor what we already have, and to find deep appreciation for the beauty of the people and world around us. Practicing santosha could look like:

• Spending time in nature, noticing its rhythms, honoring its cycles;

• Eating mindfully, sharing meals with others, and savoring the foods we eat;

• Choosing and investing in experiences over possessions;

• Being grateful for access to necessities like shelter and clean water, air, and food;

• Saying thank you to the Earth during a hike, swim, or moment under the sky.

  
  

Contentment doesn’t mean we stop caring about progress, innovation, or technology. It means we walk through life with a grounded sense of appreciation and acknowledgement that our actions and choices have impacts. People who cultivate a spirit of appreciation and contentment in these ways often naturally feel compelled to waste less, reuse and recycle more, and steward the Earth and its resources with intention and mindfulness.

Fun fact: did you know Namaspa pays extra for renewable energy through Pacific Power's "Blue Sky" program, as a way to 'offset' our overall energy usage? For example, since we run heated classes, which consume more energy, we've chosen to pay an additional amount beyond our power bill each month to ensure that the majority of our energy comes from wind and solar energy. Namaspa has opted into being a part of the Blue Sky program since our Founder, Suzie, learned about it nearly 15 years ago!

Within all of this, it becomes clear that living a life in alignment with yogic principles invites us to practice both on and off our mats. And when it comes to applying yogic principles to care for the planet and its resources, Earth care isn’t just about grand gestures; it’s about small, consistent acts of care, appreciation, and love. Here are a few more ideas to consider this month, and beyond:

In the Kitchen

• Compost food scraps – or if you don’t have a compost bin or pile, freeze them for a riend or local farm who’s willing to take them;

• Cook with what you have before buying more;

• Batch cook to reduce energy and waste;

• Eat more plants and reduce processed foods;

• Refill kitchen staples and cooking ingredients at places like Bend’s The Pantry.

In the Bathroom & Around the House

• Unplug devices when not in use;

• Use natural, biodegradable cleaning products;

• Switch to bar soap and shampoo bars, and refill household cleaning supplies and body care goods at places like Bend’s The Pantry;

• Repair instead of replace;

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.

In the Garden & Outdoors

• Collect rainwater for plants;

• Plant pollinator-friendly flowers;

• Pick up trash while walking;

• Replace grass lawns that need a lot of water with native landscaping and plants (and avoid invasive plants).

In Your Community

• Carpool or bike when possible;

• Donate gently used items;

• Support eco-conscious businesses;

• Join Earth Month/Earth Day events, local clean-up days, and efforts to conserve and protect nature;

• Volunteer at and/or make donations to support organizations doing conservation and sustainability work and projects.

Ultimately, at its heart, yoga teaches us unity – with ourselves, each other, the planet, and all of Life. The Earth gives endlessly. It holds us, feeds us, inspires us, and sustains us. The more we slow down, tune in, and align our practices and lives with principles like asteya and santosha, the more we return to a way of being that is not only sustainable, but sacred.

Let this month be a celebration. A breath of gratitude. A time to reconnect with the Earth as both teacher and sacred, living Being.

Together, let’s rise in appreciation, awareness, and action.

Happy Earth Month. 💚🌍💚