With recent events, I’ve been pondering on not only the sanctity of life but also the sacred breath. If you’ve heard my yoga story, you’ll know that I have a personal relationship with prana. But what I didn’t tell you is that an allergy attack + pneumonia landed me in the hospital when I was little.
I grew up with asthma and anytime I got sick it always seemed to go straight to my lungs. My immune system is pretty dang strong otherwise and most “bugs” don’t stress me out. I’ve got a healthy dose of trust in my body’s ability to care for itself. But this novel virus, it kinda scares me.
At the beginning I was mostly annoyed, and confused, about what appeared to be an overreaction to a cold/flu wannabe. But I’ve since listened to the experts, done the math, and I’m aware of the risks. For everyone (myself included).
And so I’ve asked my lungs what I can do to support them at this time. Because heaven knows they’ve supported me all these years, even when they were weak and tired. I’m loving on them, strengthening them, and encouraging them. Not out of fear but out of gratitude for all they have and will do for me.
Deep breaths! We got this.
Author: Beth Summers
Just eat, just live
Feeling a little snarky as of late… So if you want some sass, then hold on to your butt and get ready for some tough love.
I don’t get it. Why are we more terrified of gaining weight than going hungry?! Talk about privilege.
Dieting is a privilege, but so is eating. Not starving, NOT DYING, is a privilege. Get your priorities straight.
There’s so much more to life than chasing thinness. Give yourself permission to take up space, and then eat something. Because eating gives you the energy you need to stay alive.
Yes, everyone dies. But, your life’s mission isn’t to lose weight — what a waste of a life. Why would you want your finite experience to reflect anything less than actually living it?
And for those of you who are chasing health: the opposite of being healthy isn’t necessarily being sick, it’s being dead. Honoring your health first and foremost means staying alive. We wouldn’t even be capable of worrying about super foods or pant sizes if we were six feet under, right???
Please, for the love of God who sent you here to live your life, LIVE YOUR LIFE! Because when you’re focused on your shape, you can’t shape the world. And in order to do that, eat something so you can stay alive. Keep living. Keep eating.
When life seems hard and scary, did you think to eat?
Yesterday was BANANAS! I literally could not have created (or imagined) a crazier scenario.
Tech issues, before/during/after class.
Anxious rambling from yours truly.
Literal fire alarm in the MIDDLE of a guided meditation.
Oh, and have I mentioned that we’ve been snowed in for a couple of days?
But guess what, that’s life. And we really don’t have as much control over it as we’d like to think…
That lack of control is SCARY, and those fears often show up in our food choices or eating habits. As ideal as it might be to be a mindful eater, it’s more important that you eat. Period.
Did you know that not eating is a form of emotional eating? In fact, I noticed myself ignoring my hunger cues today as I replayed what went down yesterday. I realized that I was numbing out by not only avoiding my responsibilities but also by avoiding food. Because sometimes it’s easier to not eat. It might even seem safer to eat less than more. This is exactly what we explored in our first class.
Not being able to know precisely how everything will play out, or having your plans completely thrown out the window, requires flexibility and some grace. I’ve found that most people who struggle with disordered eating also struggle with perfectionism, which is why I chose to guide a Kundalini Yoga class as an “intentional rebel” — I didn’t wear all white, I didn’t cover my head, I didn’t lead us through a typical kriya, or a 22 minute meditation. I also didn’t plan on tech issues, personal panic attacks, fire alarms, or snow days.
And as hard as it is to roll with the punches, giving myself permission to not be perfect has allowed me to nourish myself completely. I don’t have to eat like all the other yogis out there. I don’t have to label my food, or body, as good or bad. I don’t have to lose weight, or be healthy. I can meet myself where I’m at, both on the mat and at the table.
