From the MacBook of the Yogini
Bree’s Space
Most Americans start off their New Year with a few resolutions. We focus on areas of our lives that we want to improve. Even the U.S. Government acknowledges an individual’s need for constant reinvention. In their list, USA.GOV recognizes the most popular New Year’s Resolutions, many of which revolve around personal health; such as weight loss, fitness, healthy eating, reduction of alcohol consumption, smoking cessation and reduction of stress. For more information on the Most Popular Resolutions for Americans from the US Government, Click Here.
But, as the Opinion Research Corporation reports, only 64% of Americans are still maintaining their goal through February, 46% by July, and only 8% of all resolutions are kept for the entire year. The high expectations we set for ourselves disappear for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they are too unrealistic or unattainable, maybe they are too vague. Often times we simply get tired of fighting the battle of willpower, give up or give in and are left feeling like failures who will never be able to change for the better.
Setting goals for the future is certainly an effective way to create action and positive change in one’s life. But all too often, we demand that quick fix, or go to extremes, and end up worse off than when we started. What is rarely realized is that subtle changes in our daily lives can create dramatic impacts.
So, where do we start?
Remember those popular resolutions that most Americans share? Not only do they represent physical imbalances, they also all display a disconnection between body, mind & spirit. When we feel disconnected from our bodies, when we are out of tune and out of touch with those quiet whispers or cries, we aren’t compassionate to our body’s needs and demands. By continually treating our bodies with disrespect and by ignoring their pleas, small imbalances will eventually lead to injury, chronic illness and disease.
The good news is, even after years of abuse, as we begin to care for and nurture our bodies, we will regain the balance and health in mind, body and spirit. We will cease to see our body as a separate entity, and begin to feel a seamless connection between all that we are.
Like other forms of yoga, The Yoga of Eating, or Anna Yoga, is practiced to achieve this union. Anna Yoga does not require special poses or fasting. It’s primary focus is mindfulness. Being fully conscious of what and how we eat as well as embracing our cravings and desires, instead of ignoring or despising them.
As body, mind and spirit are infused with ‘prana’, or the vital life force that resides in and connects us all, so is the food that we eat. Our bodies absorb and display the composition of the food we intake. “We are what we eat.” If we eat chemically processed or sugar laden sweets, it will be reflected in not only our poor physical heath, but our negative thoughts and emotions as well. But if we eat nutrient packed, whole foods, prepared with love and care, we will exhibit signs of health, vitality and emotional well-being.
Mindfulness in food choices, food preparation and food consumption can be easy. Here are some guidelines:
Mindful food choices
Choose fresh food that is in season and local if possible
Shop for most of your foods around the perimeter of the grocery store ~ this is where most of your fresh produce resides
Buy whole foods not packaged or processed ~ including lots of whole grains, beans & legumes
Refrain from alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugars
Mindful Cooking
While cooking - Focus all your attention on the act of cooking
Infuse your meals with love, caring and comfort for you and your family
Use spices liberally ~ sometimes your mood will require the fire of pepper; sometimes the soothing of ginger
Do not place expectations or specific outcomes or results on your meals
Be creative - use this time as a creative outlet
Mindful Eating
Eat slowly and mindfully; savoring each bite
Chew each bite thoroughly and completely before swallowing
Breath deeply between bites, focusing on the breath and the sensations in the body
Be in the present moment
Eat in silence
Notice texture, smell, look of food as well as taste
Fill the stomach 1/3 with food; 1/3 with warm water; leave 1/3 empty
Inevitably, as we practice mindfulness in eating, we will attune to the true needs of our bodies, minds and spirits. Instead of attempting to bury our emotional pain or anger with brownies or chocolate chip cookies, we will become aware of our true needs: some quiet time to meditate or a brisk walk to burn off some excess energy.
We will no longer see our bodies and food as the enemy, but rather we’ll listen to the messages our body is trying to convey, and see food as the natural conveyance of life. We will learn to trust and accept our bodies, and treat ourselves with compassion.
We must convince ourselves that balancing our diet, and becoming mindful in all areas of life, is a yearlong, as well as lifelong process; not just a challenge that we undertake once a year! And as we bring Anna Yoga into our daily lives, we will notice that opportunities to be mindful will present themselves time and again, in virtually every area of living. And by being mindful in all of life’s moments, perhaps some of those other resolutions will be achieved without our even expecting it.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Balance your Diet ~ Balance your Life
