YOGA SUTRA II.46 STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM
The connection to the earth should be steady and joyful.

This sutra is the mission statement of the yogi. Yogis strive to live harmoniously with the earth; to create a mutually benificial, steady and joyful relationship with the earth and all beings. The word asana, which refers to the physical yoga postures that we embody, means seat or connection to the earth. We cannot overlook the importance of the translation of this word. In each asana, as in life, we have different points of connection to the earth. Whether it is our hand, planted firmly on the floor in ardha chandrasana, or our relationship to the earth through what we choose to eat; it is of utmost importance that this connection be steady, joyful and that it enhance the earth and the lives of others. Only in this way can enlightenment arise.

Our dear teachers, Sharon & David, always remind us to go deeper into this connection, that you have go down to the root in order to rise up. They also teach us that if we want to have happiness in our own lives, we must first be willing to provide that same happiness for someone else.

When we look deeply at our current connection to the earth, it becomes clear that many human beings do not not live with a compassionate worldview in their minds and hearts. The philosophy of sthira sukham asanam counters the imbalance that humans have created in the environment. We share this earth with many other animal and plant beings, and we must work to perfect our relationships with them. We can and must learn from animals. Animals do not cause the destruction and depletion of their environment that humans do. They live harmoniously with the earth in a sustainable way. This steady and joyful relationship manifests in a vegan lifestyle, enviromentalism and activism, in order to inspire transformation on a global level.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: COMPANION ANIMALS
“Can we keep animals as companions and still address their needs? What is in their best interest?” Earthlings

If we’re not eating animals, then our most likely interaction with them comes through the “owning” of animal companions. Sharing your home with an animal offers the chance to create a mutually beneficial relationship.

Consider the following:
* Instead of buying a purebred dog or cat, adopt from your local animal shelter, where there are many animals in need of loving homes.
* Puppies sold in pet shops typically come from nightmarish "puppy mills," where dogs are crammed into tiny, filthy, metal cages. They suffer from neglect, loneliness, boredom, and disease. Buying pet shop puppies perpetuates this cycle of misery.
* An estimated 4 to 6 million cats and dogs are euthanized annually in the United States because they are homeless.
* Due to the increase of animals in shelters and the growing demand for drugs, some shelters with budget constraints use gas chambers and cyanide poisoning to euthanize unwanted animals.
* It is crucial to spay and neuter your companion animals. For those who feel that this is an unnatural and invasive process, consider the alternative: unwanted animals often starve to death or are euthanized.
* If you already have a companion animal, know that many well-known dog and cat food companies conduct invasive tests on animals in labs. Visit IamsCruelty.com for an updated list of companies that do not test on animals, or call 1-866-TEST-KIND for a free guide.