Drawing on both the author's extensive studies of Vedic traditions and her longtime interest in animal rights, Yoga and Vegetarianism shows how the physical and spiritual practice of yoga is historically and structurally tied to a vegetarian lifestyle. When they are used in tandem, she argues, they form a strong framework for physical and spiritual attunement and promote an overall healthy life. Yoga and Vegetarianism emphasizes the importance of understanding of Ahimsa, the practice of non-harming and nonviolence, as the first step in marrying yoga and vegetarianism. All actions, says Gannon, originate as thoughts, so the "perfection of action" that yoga strives for must come from a perfect thought. What is a perfect thought? According to the book, it is a thought free of selfish desire, anger, and hate. This brings us back to Ahimsa and to vegetarianism. Freeing oneself of needless cruelty, harm, and injustice — which includes eating meat — can transform both the individual and the world. This book shows how.
Sharon Gannon is a 21st century Renaissance woman who excels in many artistic, spiritual and social mediums. Sharon is best known for creating, along with David Life, the Jivamukti Yoga Method--a path to enlightenment through compassion for all beings.
The Jivamukti Yoga method emphasizes asana, Sanskrit, scriptural study, devotion, prayer, music, chanting and meditation as well as animal rights, veganism, environmentalism and political activism. Jivamukti's passionate focus on the original meaning of the Sanskrit word "asana" as seat, connection--relationship to the earth is as practical as it is radical at this time of global crisis and consciousness shift. Blessed by her teachers Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, Shri Swami Nirmalananda, and Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, she is a pioneer in teaching yoga as spiritual activism and is changing the way that people view, spirituality, life, themselves, each other, animals and the environment.
Sharon has produced and appeared on many yoga-related DVDs including and music CDs including the 2003 release of Neti Neti and the 2010 release of Sharanam, her solo début album, produced by Ferenz Kallos on the White Swan Label. She is a prolific writer and has authored several books: Jivamukti Yoga, (also translated into German, Russian & Italian) The Art of Yoga, The Jivamukti Chant Book, Yoga and Vegetarianism (also translated into German, Italian and Japanese) and Cats and Dogs are People too! Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Toward 2012, Arvana V: Music, Magic and Mysticism, What comes after Money?, Semiotext(e) and Yoga Journal. She writes a monthly essay called the Focus of the Month, which can be read at www.jivamuktyoga.com
YOGA JOURNAL Magazine has called her an innovator and VANITY FAIR gives her credit for making yoga cool and hip. JANE Magazine nominated her as Gutsiest Woman of the Year and THE FARM SANCTUARY awarded her the 2008 compassionate living award. She is a long-time vanguard member of PETA and has helped with many of their campaigns.
She travels extensively teaching and presenting at American, European, Canadian, Asian, South and Central American and Conferences. She resides in a 121-acre wild forest sanctuary in upstate NY, USA.
