DO I HAVE TO BE A VEGETARIAN TO PRACTICE YOGA?

DO I HAVE TO BE A VEGETARIAN TO PRACTICE YOGA?

You do not need to have any specific belief system to be a yogi.  One of the biggest benefits of yoga is getting to know yourself better, and trusting yourself to make the best personal decisions for you. There are many reasons people choose how and whether or not to eat meat; the yoga tradition is just one of them.  Hindu belief emphasizes non-violence (“Ahimsa” in Sanskrit), and this belief applies to all living things.  This may be why you’ve heard all yogis are vegetarians, but that is not true.  The most important thing is that you are taking care of yourself and valuing your own health and well-being.