Those were the sage words of the founder of Asthanga yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and according to his students it was something he would say often, along with "Without yoga, what use?" or the wonderful "With yoga, all is possible." Ever since I first saw these quotes in the numerous articles about him since his recent passing, I've been thinking more and more about the effects of daily yoga practice on my life as a whole, and the power it gives us all in so many ways, the awareness.
I'll admit I have yet to cultivate a daily practice, but I have not given up and I am continuing to move towards it more and more. But even with the amount of yoga practice I have been experiencing, I'm finding that certain things inevitable happen without my "trying" at all.
What I notice first is the way it changes my awareness around what I eat, why I eat it and how it relates to the rest of my life, body, mind and spirit. Where I had just thrown caution to the wind and joyfully embraced a restriction free lifestyle of eating whatever I liked but in small portions and with great love, joy and a slow pace, now I find myself looking at the carton of eggs in my fridge and thinking...a lot. Yes, I know that sometimes even chickens eat their own eggs, and I know all of the nutritional and ethical arguments for and against eating them. But I also know that somehow the minute I begin to practice yoga again, I find myself having a tough time swallowing certain choices, so to speak.
The other day I had brought home a rotisserie chicken for my cats, and as I was tearing the cooked meat from the carcass, it begin to really disgust me and upset me while the smell was actually still incredibly appetizing and I know I love the flavor. It's a strange place to be in really, but I appreciate the chance to experience it all.
I used to think that a vegan lifestyle would be unattainable for me and completely joyless, particularly because I eschew soy in all forms and things like seitan and other meat substitutes. I don't like them, don't digest them well and question the need for something to simulate the foods I would possibly choose to leave behind. That made me think I could never go totally vegan, partially because I do enjoy occassional yogurt (dairy) and cheeses. Sure, I love goat milk, goat yogurt, kefir and cheese, I could probably easily substitute that and still have loads of gorgeous meal options...and as a matter of fact, as I sit and ponder the vast array of fruits and veg, spices and herbs, it seems silly to think that a vegan lifestyle would be a life sentence of cardboard-like, tasteless, repetitive dishes. Far from it!
Sure, it means more planning, shopping and cooking, but perhaps there could be joy in that? It forces one to think, to be create and to be mindful about food, rather than just picking up something quick and easy that might not be so satisfying or healing. Food is meant to be our best medicine, I believe, so perhaps I can combine the joie de vivre attitude with a vegan kick?
I've just printed out a few recipes from the Earth Balance website (they make butter substitutes and gorgeous almond butter) that are partially vegan, partially using eggs or dairy, and plan to try some of them out for myself, see how it feels to venture into a world where healing foods and a shift into a whole new way of living could be pure magic.
I have to say, when I was running a lot, lifting weights, doing step aerobics...I never thought much about the energetic or ethical aspects of the dozen "cage free" eggs or having a little quiche here and there. But as I embrace a life where yoga is intrinsic, it seems to be unavoidable. Only this time, I'm not daunted. I don't feel like I'll be "giving up so much", I feel like this is a path of discovery and refinement. Much like the path of yoga itself.
Let's see where the path leads.
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