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Is What You Eat Part Of Your Yoga? Ahimsa & Authentic Living With Anna Ferguson
- Jennifer Shlomovich
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
This week on That Vegan Morning Show we interviewed Anna Ferguson. Anna has been studying and teaching yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices for over twenty years. She is the founder of the vegan-centric non-profit, Our Collective Heart and co-creator of World Peace Yoga, a school of yoga in Cincinnati, Ohio offering online and in studio classes. Anna is the director of Our Collective Heart’s self-paced online courses Yoga for the Common Good Relational Activist Training and Compassion for All Yoga Teacher Training. On Anna's quest to inspire individuals to manifest the most authentic version of themselves, she wrote, World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe. In her book, readers learn tools for creating inner peace through a variety of practices, including breathwork, meditation, and posture techniques, as well as plant-sourced living. Anna is passionate about building community, compassionate living, and her wonderful son Noah. You may connect with her on Instagram and Facebook via @annafergusonpeace.
Your Favorite Yoga Poses Are Actually Lessons in Empathy
Ever wondered why we call it “Downward Dog” or “Cat-Cow”?
In this clip, Anna Ferguson explains that yoga is about more than just flexibility, it’s about Ahimsa (non-violence). By literally stepping into the "shoes" (or paws, or hooves!) of another being on the mat, we build a bridge of empathy that naturally extends to our plates.
It’s a gentle reminder that when we practice yoga, we aren't just stretching our bodies; we’re stretching our compassion for all living beings.
To learn more about Anna and her work visit https://worldpeaceirl.com/world-peace-yoga/.
What are your favorite yoga poses? What positive benefits have you experienced from yoga?
Jennifer Shlomovich is a Plant-Powered Lifestyle-Educator on a mission to help others improve their health by eating more plants.. As the only vegan in her household, she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to stay true to your values when the people around you aren’t on the same path. For years, she put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own, but through her journey, she discovered the power of setting boundaries, living by her values, and confidently prioritizing her well-being. On her YouTube channel, The Confident Vegan, she shares inspiring interviews, practical tips, and empowering conversations about what it really means to live in alignment with your values. She is also the co-host of That Vegan Morning Show with Kimberly Winters of the Did You Bring The Hummus podcast.
This was such a thoughtful read.
I appreciate how you explored ahimsa in a lived, practical way—not as a rule, but as an invitation to align values with everyday choices. It felt honest, curious, and grounded.
I can't say that I've tried yoga to date. That's interesting that it isn't just a way to increase flexibility and calm, but can also increase empathy.