I believe yoga is here to help us learn to live peacefully with ourselves and with others. Others includes all beings - not just humans.
It took me about 3 years to transition into being fully vegan. I’ve been practicing yoga on and off since I was 15 years old (I am now 24), I’ve been steadily practicing since I was 18. A family member of mine started to tell me that in school she learned about how cows can have best friends just like we do and that when they’re separated from their friends or babies/mothers they can feel separation anxiety - just like us. That was the first time it really clicked for me that these animals are so similar to us in the way that they feel.
The more I dove into this yoga filled world it became so clear that yoga has everything to do with integrity and my aligning actions with my values. It wasn’t till my 300hr teacher training this past summer in Australia where I studied numerous yoga specialties that it really sunk in. Being vegan completely aligned with everything I’ve learned about yoga philosophy.
At the time I was still eating fish, eggs, and cheese – 
during this training we were to be vegan for the month. We were taught numerous benefits to being vegan and how it connects to yoga. After leaving I’ve continued to feel that going vegan aligns with my values. I’ve always valued kindness and have done my best to live by the rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Since starting to practice yoga I’ve learned that yoga is everywhere and in everything we do. I do my best to live in what I consider to be a yogic way – treating others the way I’d like to be treated – in a nonviolent and compassionate way. Ahimsa – nonviolence towards all beings.
Emotionally and physically I have felt better than I ever have. I didn’t realize how much animal products were affecting my physical body and even my emotional state. The more I continue down the path of aligning my actions with my values the better I feel.
I hope to inspire and help people to do what feels right for them.
Go Vegan
– For the animals – For the earth – For your health –
Let’s create a more compassionate world for children to live in.
Julia Mannarino
Instagram: @jujusunshinebear