Eating Without Shame

Oh how I so closely relate to this...

The Terrible Tragedy of the Healthy Eater

A great day was when I realized 80% of my stomach aches (I have had a LOT of stomach aches) were mostly from stressing about what I was eating, and not actually from eating it. My nerves could also usually start firing from what I felt I wasn't doing enough of. (see: asana/everything else)

A mindful practice is all about balance, right? And ahimsa (non-violence). Using our practices and healthy choices as a way to punish or stress ourselves to the point where we aren't even enjoying the practices anymore is not ahimsa. I have seen yogis get into heated arguments over whether their smoothies are healthy or not for crying out loud. I have read blogs claiming that 'Your smootie is making you fat!' and about gluten filled with self-riteous and sardonic vocabulary. 

When I was in Costa Rica my friends told me to 'eat without shame!' Hearing that was like music to my ears. As someone who has had lifelong battles with body image, and eating disorders, the declaration that we should eat without shame was powerful. I have heard some of my favorite teachers (shout out to Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and Gary Kraftsow) straight up say, 'eat your ice cream' and 'ahimsa does not mean vegetarianism'. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another. Put down the blogs, the fad diets, and cleanses and turn inward. Call on that awesome yogic tool of Pratyahara, withdrawal of the senses, and ask YOUR body what it wants. Get quiet, give yourself a much needed break from the maelstrom of dietary information (usually negative and anecdotal) that we are bombarded with daily.

I don't know about you guys, but I am going to choose to listen to my own body. I want to understand my own special needs. And MOST importantly, I want to eat without shame! Remember that food is a gift, not a burden.