Photo by Mat Reding courtesy of Pexels.

Many people I know are searching for ways to actively respond to the chaotic events unfolding in the U.S. and a world filled with violence, suffering, and injustice. We don’t want to see our Yoga practice as a retreat from the world, nor do we want to simply shake our heads and shrug our shoulders at the turmoil around us.

Often, we think of spiritual awakening as a passive practice—something that involves withdrawing the senses and quieting the mind to experience the spiritual presence within. While this is an important aspect of spiritual growth, it is equally vital to consider how we engage with the world. Both approaches are necessary, as we want our responses to the challenges we face to be guided by the source of spiritual wisdom we all share.

We may need to reconnect with this inner spiritual light repeatedly, awakening to it fully so that it clearly shines in our hearts and minds as we go about our days. However, we need not wait for a certain level of awakening before we take our Yoga practice off the cushion or mat and into the world. We can intentionally practice moving, speaking, and thinking with peace and compassion in our hearts.

This intention remains vague unless we find specific ways to cultivate it. We bring compassion into conversations when we listen deeply to others, making a real effort to understand and respect their needs. Even when we disagree, we can approach others with an open heart, focusing on common ground rather than our differences. We can speak out against injustice when we witness it and strive to be peacemakers in moments of conflict.

Above all, we can maintain our equanimity in the face of unjust or violent words or actions. By keeping our balance, we sustain a connection to an inner well of peace and bring that energy into the situation. Mindfulness allows us to pause and make conscious choices that consider the well-being of everyone involved.

We can also bring more compassion into the world by serving our local communities. Whether it’s offering Yoga classes, volunteering at a soup kitchen, becoming politically active, or reaching out to those in need, serving locally connects us to the needs and disharmony in our own neighborhoods, where we can truly make a difference. It compels us to look beyond our own worlds and reminds us that, beneath our differences, we all seek the same happiness. A grateful heart is naturally inclined to uplift others.

On a subtler level, Sri Swami Satchidananda strongly affirmed that each time we pray for peace in the world—such as we do at the end of each Integral Yoga class—we send subtle yet profound energies into our world. Even though we may not see the effects, each time we visualize peace in our hearts and intentionally send it outwards, our intentions have a real impact on those who are ready to receive them.

Every choice we make, every action we take, can be guided by either a ‘me’-centered or ‘we’-centered mindset. Understanding that our daily actions are an expression of our beliefs can transform our lives, giving meaning to every aspect of it. May we all learn to see how bringing spiritual values into everyday life is both a vital response to a violent world and an essential part of awakening to our inner Light.

About the Author:

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, a certified Yoga therapist, and a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance. He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced-level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco and teaches throughout the world. Having dedicated his life to teaching Yoga for nearly 50 years, Swami Ramananda is highly-respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition in Yoga communities worldwide. Swami Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs throughout the US and abroad. He is also a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world.

The post A Spiritual Response to a Troubled World appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Photo by Chino Rocha courtesy of Unsplash.

Veganism and the Yamas: A Yogic Call to Compassion

Yoga is a path of transformation—one that extends far beyond the mat. It is a way of living that aligns our thoughts, words, and actions with our highest ideals. The eight limbs of Raja Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali, provide a roadmap for this journey. At the foundation of this system are the Yamas, ethical principles that guide how we relate to the world.

For many yogis, vegetarianism is an obvious step in practicing nonviolence. However, a deeper examination reveals that continuing to consume dairy products contradicts the very values at the heart of the Yamas. By exploring Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, we can see that choosing a vegan lifestyle is not only an ethical choice but a natural extension of the yogic path.

***SPECIAL NOTE: Fears grow over new bird flu infections in dairy cattle

Ahimsa: Nonviolence in Thought, Word, and Action

Ahimsa, the first and most fundamental Yama, teaches us to avoid causing harm to any living being. It is why many yogis adopt a vegetarian diet, believing that abstaining from meat prevents unnecessary suffering. However, the dairy industry is inherently violent.

Dairy cows are forcibly impregnated to keep them producing milk, only to have their calves taken away shortly after birth. The separation causes deep distress—both for the mother and her baby. Male calves, unable to produce milk, are often sent to slaughter for veal, while female calves are raised to endure the same cycle of exploitation. When we consume dairy, we participate in a system that inflicts pain and suffering on sentient beings. If we are committed to Ahimsa, can we truly justify this? Thankfully, there are now countless plant-based alternatives—nutritious, delicious, and cruelty-free. Shifting to a vegan diet is an act of nonviolence, an extension of our commitment to peace and compassion.

Satya: Living in Truth

Satya calls us to truthfulness—not only in speech but in how we live. It asks us to see reality clearly, even when it challenges our habits or beliefs.

Many of us grew up believing that dairy is necessary for health or that it is harmless. However, the reality is far different. The dairy industry causes suffering to animals, contributes to environmental devastation, and has serious health consequences, including links to heart disease, hormone imbalances, and increased cancer risk. When we continue to consume dairy despite knowing these truths, we contradict the principle of Satya. True integrity comes from aligning our actions with the realities we discover. As yogis, we strive to live in harmony with truth—even when it requires change.

Asteya: Non-Stealing

Asteya, or non-stealing, extends beyond material possessions. It includes not taking what is not freely given.

When we consume dairy, we take what belongs to another. A mother’s milk is intended for her baby, yet in the dairy industry, calves are deprived of their natural nourishment so that humans can consume it instead. Additionally, the environmental cost of dairy production steals resources from future generations. The vast amounts of land, water, and crops used to sustain dairy farming contribute to deforestation, water shortages, and pollution. By choosing plant-based alternatives, we respect the rights of all beings and honor our responsibility to the planet. In doing so, we live in alignment with the principle of Asteya.

Brahmacharya: Moderation and Self-Restraint

Brahmacharya is often interpreted as moderation—using energy wisely and making choices that bring balance. In the context of diet, it encourages us to consume food that nurtures both body and spirit.

The dairy industry thrives on excess—forcing cows into a relentless cycle of reproduction and milk production. This exploitation stands in stark contrast to the yogic ideal of balance and self-restraint. Moreover, consuming dairy contributes to imbalance within our own bodies, as it is linked to inflammation, digestive issues, and hormone disruption. By embracing a plant-based diet, we cultivate a sense of balance, choosing foods that nourish without harm. This is an expression of Brahmacharya in action.

Aparigraha: Non-Possessiveness and Letting Go

Aparigraha teaches us to release attachments—whether to material things, harmful habits, or outdated beliefs. Many of us hold onto dairy out of familiarity, comfort, or convenience, even when we recognize its ethical and environmental consequences.

Letting go of dairy is an opportunity to practice non-attachment, to make choices based on wisdom rather than habit. It is an act of freedom—freeing ourselves from participation in suffering and embracing a diet that reflects our deepest values.

Walking the Yogic Path with Integrity

The Yamas are not abstract concepts; they are principles meant to guide our daily lives. If we truly seek to embody Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha, then our dietary choices must reflect these ideals.

Fortunately, we live in a time where plant-based alternatives are abundant and accessible. Choosing a vegan lifestyle is not about restriction but about expansion—expanding our compassion, awareness, and alignment with the teachings of Yoga. As yogis, we have the opportunity to be a force for change, to make choices that uplift all beings. By embracing a diet rooted in kindness, we take another step toward living in harmony with the world—one meal at a time.

In Part 2, we will explore how the Niyamas—the observances that guide our inner life—also support the transition to a plant-based diet.

About the Author:

Meenakshi Angel Honig is dedicated to peace and loving kindness. She has studied with one of the most highly revered and deeply loved Yoga Masters of our time, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Meenakshi is a certified Integral Yoga Instructor & Teacher Trainer with over 50 years of teaching experience and serves as the director of the Integral Yoga Center of Maui. Meenakshi Angel is a licensed minister and an animal rights advocate. She is a highly respected leader in promoting plant-based nutrition for individual and global well-being. She has produced 5 DVDs, 2 CDs and is the author of 11 books including, The Solution: 10 Compelling Reasons to Choose a Plant-based Diet & Lifestyle -The Why & The How. For more info, please visit her website.

The post Ahimsa in Action: Living in Alignment with the Ethical Foundations of Yoga appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

In an effort toward dismantling this imbalance, IYI SF is offering this Yoga Teacher Training in a two module format. Module 1 with 100% BIPOC teacher trainers and participants and Module 2, for anyone who has taken Module 1 within the past 2 years or Yoga teachers who want to certify as an Integral Yoga teacher.

Our Yoga Teacher Training program has been training teachers and changing lives since 1975. Integral Yoga uses an inward, spiritually-focused form of Hatha Yoga to lead practitioners to an experience of inner peace and greater awareness.

In this 2-Module format, you’ll have the option to take either one or both modules. Completing both within 2 years is required in order to receive 200-hour Integral Yoga teacher training certification and the ability to register with Yoga Alliance as a RYT-200.

This training is ONLINE with selected in-person options. All the sessions will be recorded. More info and registration here.

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Our Yoga Teacher Training program has been training teachers and changing lives since 1981. Integral Yoga uses an inward, spiritually-focused form of Hatha Yoga to lead practitioners to an experience of inner peace and greater awareness.

In this 2-Module format, you’ll have the option to take either one or both modules. Completing both within 2 years is required in order to receive 200-hour Integral Yoga teacher training certification and the ability to register with Yoga Alliance as a RYT-200.

This training is ONLINE with selected in-person options. All the sessions will be recorded.

Yoga Alliance Hours: 200 

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FireFlex Yoga

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Photo: Yoga at School teachers and students, NYC.

Integral Yoga’s Yoga at School® program is a heartfelt initiative aimed at nurturing the minds and spirits of the young people. Imagine a world where teenagers start their days with a deep breath, a moment of stillness, and a sense of inner calm. That’s precisely what the Yoga at School® program brings to life. Through this initiative, the Integral Yoga Institute of New York brings the transformative practice of Yoga into the lives of young adults, empowering them with tools to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace.

With your support, we can expand this program and bring the myriad benefits of Yoga to more schools, reaching more young people who can greatly benefit from its positive impact. Your generosity can help us provide discounted or free offering for schools with small budgets, allow more students to come experience the peace here in the Institute as well as expand into under-served communities. With more paid and certified instructors  we can guide these young minds on a journey of self-discovery and well-being.
The joy that radiates from a young adult who discovers the power of their breath or the serenity in a moment of quiet reflection is immeasurable. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, influencing not only the students themselves but also their families, teachers, and the broader community.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will be an invaluable investment in the well-being and future of our youth. Together, let’s sow the seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and resilience in the hearts of this next generation. Thus contributing to a more peaceful world. Thank you for considering this heartfelt appeal. Together, we can nurture a generation empowered with the transformative practice of Yoga. You can earmark your donation here.

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Photo: iStock

In life, many of us find ourselves navigating the world based on societal constructs and internalized beliefs. We may view ourselves as limited beings bound within the temporal and spatial confines of the body and mind. The passing of time may drive us, making us feel perpetually bound to the past or anxiously anticipating the future, making it difficult for us to live in the present. There may be a persistent sense of lack—a feeling that we’re inherently flawed or missing something essential—which can lead us to question our existence, causing confusion and a feeling of detachment. All this can contribute to a pervasive feeling of “otherness” that dominates our lives, leading us to believe that we’re isolated entities, separate from the world and others. This sense of who we are stands in stark contrast to what Yoga teaches us: that our true, unconditioned nature is one of interconnectedness and wholeness.

The first time I stepped into an Integral Yoga class as an adult, I was acutely aware of how others perceived and treated me differently based on my various social identities: Black, cis-woman, able-bodied, and so on. But within the four corners of my mat, as I moved through each of the elements of that Integral Yoga class, I experienced a profound awakening to my unconditioned beingness—spacious, timeless, perfect, clear, connected, complete, and inherently whole, transcending the confines of societal labels and perceived limitations.

I came into direct contact with one of the foundational paradoxes of Yoga: we are human beings, in human bodies, having human experiences—which includes layers of societal constructs, personal narratives, and perceived limitations. And, at the same time, we are, at our essence, spacious, timeless, and inherently whole. And just as a single drop of water can create ripples across a large expanse of water, this moment of unity profoundly changed me and the course of my life. As the primary gateways to this practice for many, Yoga spaces provide a rare opportunity for each one of us to experience that gift. My experience of many Yoga spaces, however, has been quite different.

While many Yoga spaces speak of unity in their teachings, they don’t seem to fully grasp the lived humanness of their students. One example of this is when Yoga spaces operate in such a way as to attract a homogeneous demographic of students and teachers, inadvertently excluding those who don’t fit a specific mold, which all too often is that of a white, young, thin, flexible, able-bodied, cisgender woman who uses brand-name fitness gear. This not only contradicts Yoga’s fundamental teachings of unity and interconnectedness but also undermines the potential for Yoga spaces to be a sanctuary of true inclusivity and oneness.

When Yoga spaces don’t operate in a way that is inviting to a wide range of humanity—when they ignore the realities of the world and the varied ways different human beings experience it—such spaces are communicating, either overtly or subtly, that Yoga isn’t for everyone. That if you don’t fit that very narrow band of demographics, Yoga isn’t for you. But the truth is that Yoga—the practice of recognizing the infinite, universal spirit that resides within and around each and every one of us—is for everybody.

There are many ways that Yoga spaces can work to shape themselves into a sanctuary in which every individual—regardless of their racial, social, or economic background, or of any other label or identity they may hold—can find belonging, validation, and access to the core tenets of Yoga. One way the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco has done so is through its creation of a scholarship-based Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training. This teacher training was first hosted by the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco in 2021, made possible by the support of community members and Integral Yoga sangha members who contributed generously in the form of donations, spreading the word, and love and encouragement.

The news of the success of the 2021 training traveled out like ripples through the community, drawing enough additional support to hold a second training in 2022. With your support, these ripples can expand even further, allowing IYI SF to host a third scholarship-based BIPOC Basic Yoga Teacher Training in 2024 and also offer BIPOC scholarships for advanced Yoga teacher trainings as well. One way you can help fund scholarships to help eliminate financial barriers to BIPOC participation in any of Integral Yoga SF’s Yoga teacher trainings is by donating directly to the BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training Scholarship Fund. IYI SF recently received a $7,500 grant from a corporate sponsor and your gift will help IYI SF meet its goal to match that donation and raise $15,000 for its BIPOC Scholarship Fund. Another way you can support the continuation of the scholarship-based BIPOC Teacher Training is by donating your time and talent. If you have skills that can help IYI SF continue offering and growing this program, please contact me at itzel@attunedliving.com or IYI SF directly at manager@integralyogasf.org.

We embrace the profound unity that Yoga teaches when we understand that our collective liberation is intertwined. As civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer pointed out, “Nobody’s free until everyone is free.” In supporting the BIPOC TT scholarship fund, you affirm that our shared freedom is grounded in our oneness. You help to ensure that even more people have the opportunity to awaken to their boundless essence, breaking free from societal confines and truly experiencing the universality of spirit. Each gesture of support isn’t just making a singular difference—it’s helping to create ripples for change. Thank you, Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

About the Author:

After practicing law for 13 years, Kamala Itzel Hayward left her successful legal career to pursue social justice work through the lens of mindfulness and wellness. Today, she is a Yoga teacher, Yoga therapist, and Yoga teacher trainer. In addition to sharing Yoga and other transformational practices, Kamala is also a mindful communication trainer, an antiracism educator, and a fierce and compassionate advocate for love. You can learn more about Kamala at attunedliving.com

The post Yoga and Unity: Ripples for Change appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash.

Vegan diet has just 30 percent of the environmental impact of a high-meat diet, a major 2023 study found. Read a summary below and the original article here.

We know that meat has a substantial impact on the planet, and that plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable. But exactly how much impact does the food we eat have on environmental outcomes and what difference would following a vegan diet make compared to consuming a high meat, or even low meat diet?

We studied 55,000 people’s dietary data and linked what they ate or drank to five key measures: greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, water pollution and biodiversity loss. Our results are now published in Nature Food. We found that vegans have just 30% of the dietary environmental impact of high-meat eaters.

The dietary data came from a major study into cancer and nutrition that has been tracking the same people (about 57,000 in total across the UK) for more than two decades. Those who participated in our study reported what they ate and drank over 12 months and we then classified them into six different groups: vegan, vegetarian, fish-eaters, and low-, medium-, and high-meat-eaters based on their self-reported dietary habits.

We then linked their dietary reports to a dataset containing information on the environmental impact of 57,000 foods. Crucially, the dataset factored in how and where a food is produced – carrots grown in a greenhouse in Spain will have a different impact from those grown in a field in the UK, for instance. This builds on past studies, which tend to assume for example that all types of bread or all steak or all lasagna has the same environmental impact.

By incorporating more detail and nuance, we were able to show with more certainty that different diets have different environmental impacts. We found that even the least sustainable vegan diet was still more environmentally-friendly than the most sustainable meat eater’s diet. In other words, accounting for region of origin and methods of food production does not obscure the differences in the environmental impacts between diet groups. Read more from the original source here.

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Photo: Kayoko Mitsumatsu (founder of Yoga Gives Back) in India.

Sixteen years ago, I founded Yoga Gives Back (YGB). When anyone asks me, “What inspired you to found Yoga Gives Back,” I usually reply: “Hope for the future.”  I founded YGB out of a Yoga classroom in Los Angeles where, as a beginning Yoga student, I was getting so much benefit physically and mentally from the daily practice. The real bliss was profound as I walked out of the studio daily, which led me to wonder what I was going to do with my happy healthy self? I was 47, with a good profession, a great life partner in my marriage, my parents did not need care yet, etc. I felt I had everything I wanted in my life, but one thing was missing: using myself fully for a bigger purpose.

In this same year, as a documentary filmmaker working for NHK (Japan’s National Public Broadcaster), I was producing a program about Social Entrepreneurship in the US and came to learn about Dr Muhammad Yunus and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate’s revolutionary microfinancing success in developing countries to alleviate poverty, especially empowering underserved women around the world. I became aware that $6 billion was spent on Yoga per year in the US alone (it is estimated $80 billion worldwide today), while 75 percent of the population in India still live under the poverty line, earning $2 a day. It was so shockingly lopsided.

My Yoga class was about $15 at that time (now $30 in Los Angeles), and I indulged myself with nice Yoga pants at $65. I realized that for the cost of one Yoga class in the West, you can change a life in India with microfinancing. Just $15 could provide an impoverished woman in India with funds to start her own income-earning business and end the vicious cycle of poverty and care for her children with three daily meals and education! I shared this idea with my Yoga teacher and studio owner. To my surprise, everyone supported the idea right away. Apparently, many Yoga practitioners were already looking for an opportunity to give back but there was no nonprofit organization in the Yoga community that focused on giving back to India to express our gratitude.

This was how Yoga Gives Back was born from one local Yoga studio in Los Angeles, embraced by passionate Yoga practitioners and leaders from the start.

Looking back, it is quite astonishing that YGB’s mission has spread to over 30 countries worldwide in the last 16 years, empowering more than 2,400 women and children with our own micro-loan and education programs. Over 100 top teachers and leaders of Yoga and mindfulness are now our Advisors and Ambassadors with heartfelt support for our mission, helping our fundraising efforts year after year.

When I came back from India in January 2023, I was deeply inspired— especially after a three-year separation due to the pandemic—by witnessing the real generational impact YGB is creating among the marginalized population. We now see hundreds of disadvantaged youths graduating with college degrees against all odds and becoming real role models and change makers in their communities, as well as helping their poor families.

Once abused by her husband, one woman has become the breadwinner for the family with solid income from mat-making micro-loan work which also gained her respect from her husband and community. Young girls with education were the first to help illiterate and poor farmers when COVID engulfed Indian villages in 2020. They risked their lives and bicycled into the villages to help distribute masks, medical information, as well as emergency food assistance. These girls came to be known as “Covid Warriors” and were deeply appreciated by the villagers.

These are just some incredible results of our programs and they provide the inspiration for me to continue to do our best for our mission.  We have also created deep connections with our fund recipients in India, who are now our brothers and sisters. Countless transactional relationships matured into mutual respect over the years. I am beyond grateful for this life mission which continues to guide me and inspire me to explore ways to give back for bigger and bigger impact as the need in India is unlimited.

Our future goal is to reach one million yogis to join in our global grassroots campaign. There are an estimated 300 million people enjoying Yoga practice in the world. If just a fraction—one million of them join us—we can raise much more funding to empower significantly more lives in India. Out of India’s 1.4 billion people, an estimated 50 percent or more still live below the poverty line. The pandemic and climate change hit the most vulnerable population, especially women and children, much harder economically and socially.

As a beneficiary of Yoga, this ancient wisdom from India, I believe our work is critical among the global Yoga communities so this practice does not become one-way, benefitting only the practitioner or business owners. If we believe in Yoga, unity is our goal. We need to express our gratitude with action.

As a near future goal, I challenge every Yoga practitioner to join us in our annual campaign in June, “Global Gathering for India.” It started with a hugely successful fundraiser in the first year of the pandemic as 80 global leaders and teachers from kirtan, mindfulness, and Yoga communities gathered from over 20 countries for our live three-day zoom event. As we enjoy post-pandemic personal interactions, we are inviting everyone to host just one class or tea party or whatever to fundraise for our mission anytime in June and give back as a global family. Size does not matter, but your participation truly matters!

About the Author:

Photo Credit: Dorit Thies Photography

Kayoko Mitsumatsu, prior to moving to the United States in 1992, was a producer/director for NHK Japan’s National Public Broadcaster, working on prime-time current affairs and documentary television programs and with cultural attachés at the Embassy of Japan in London. Her passion for documentary filmmaking’s ability to bridge diverse cultures and share the voices of the voiceless is rooted in a perspective gained from years of living abroad, including in Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Kayoko has been filming real stories of Yoga Gives Back’s fund recipients in India for over a decade as YGB Films, which chronicles the harsh realities of underserved women and children in India, as well as how Yoga Gives Back’s global community support has transformed many lives with real impact and hope.

Learn more the June 2023 YGB special event here: https://Yogagivesback.org/global-gathering-for-india/

The post The Yoga of Giving Back appeared first on Integral Yoga® Magazine.

In this Integral Yoga Podcast episode, Mia Velez and Avi Gordon (director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association) discuss Yoga and Kung Fu, both of which are integrated into her daily life as a mother, preschool teacher, and advocate for gender, race and class equality through multiple non-profits groups. Mia is an Integral Yoga trainer and a disciple of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu lineage. She sees an undeniable parallel in Yoga and Kung Fu, and feels they are complements to each other. 

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Photo: Sierra Club Energy Chair Scott Ziemer with Heidi Dhivya Berthoud.

Yogaville community resident and environmental activist Heidi Dhivya Berthoud was honored with the 2023 Sierra Club’s Earth Flag, in recognition of the extraordinary work she has been doing to protect Yogaville and other communities from fracked gas pipelines and polluting gold mining. Ms. Berthoud is also the co-founder, and serves as president, of the Virginia Community Rights Network. VCRN guides and encourages local efforts to recognize and legally secure the Rights of Nature and Communities. She also serves as secretary of the Friends of Buckingham environmental protection organization in the county.

Ms. Berthoud is also active nationally, joining actress and climate crisis activist Jane Fonda in her efforts. Congratulations and gratitude to Heidi Dhivya Berthoud for her outstanding service!

Photo: Berthoud & other Virginia activists join Jane Fonda for Washington, DC Climate Justice Rally.

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Photo: Laurence Candy is not only giving up farming animals, he is looking to get vegan accreditation.

Recently, BBC News reported that after one UK dairy farmer lost most of his dairy herd to bovine tuberculosis that he decided he would no longer send animals to the slaughterhouse. “It made me wonder if we can justify the industrial slaughter of sentient beings,” says the 50-year-old looking back on the event in 2017. “As a society, we have to question this.” The BBC also reported that: “The statistics bear out his comments. The number of vegans in Britain quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, according to a survey for the Vegan Society.

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