Most of you, don't be ashamed I too was once this person, may love yoga, but merely see it as an enjoyable exercise class. Later I learned, Yoga is much more than an exercise class. Yoga is a philosophy that is thousands of years old. The yoga philosophy is based around a book called the yoga sutras. In the yoga sutras, there is a section devoted to yamas, limbs. One of these limbs, I know this chain seems like it's never ending, is ahimsa. Ahimsa means compassion. In order to be a devout yogi you must not only go to class and practice asana or poses, but you should also be practicing ahimsa or compassion.
Compassion should be the basis of your life. Not only showing compassion to others but yourself. Treat your body in a compassionate way. Eat foods that make you feel good. For example, don't eat foods that make you feel lethargic, eat healthy dishes that make you feel energized and ready to take on the world. For example, after the Thanksgiving meal, everyone wants to pass out and go to sleep, me included, but this is not showing ahimisa to your body. Showing ahimsa would be eating foods such as in my case quinoa or pure bars (they are so good, must try them). These two foods always leave me energized and with the feeling that I could run a marathon.
Compassion should also be shown to others, this doesn't only include humans, but animals too. Try to be sympathetic towards others. Let's say your friend comes to you distraught over a problem. In your eyes that's not a problem and think their nuts. Instead of blowing them off, listen show compassion. You may help them not only with their day, but their life. As for animals, always treat animals with respect. That's not saying become a vegetarian, unless you want to, but may be start by buying cage free eggs. Buy eggs where the chickens have room to live a happy life and are not crammed in inhumane cages.
Ahimsa, compassion, is a core component of yoga. Ahimsa makes you as much of a yogi as going to an advanced vinyasa class. I hope this post will help you add ahimsa into your daily lives.