There are SO many people out there grandstanding about nutrition. So many people worrying about what everyone else is doing. So many people worrying in general.
Even last night when I went to order my cheeseburger and cheese fries, the guy tried to sell me a chicken sandwich instead.
When I mentioned that I was a yoga teacher, he started going off on how he wants to start a high protein / low carb food delivery business. I even had to pull him off his soap box… just to get my side of ranch.
But here’s the thing: Why and how you eat are just as important as what. If not more so.
My grandfather was a chubby, stogie smokin’, booze swillin’, fried chicken and gravy eater.
He was self-sufficient into his ’90s, with a full head of black hair, and a full set of teeth.
Until the end, I never remember him getting “sick”. And the only “healthy” habit I know he had was that he walked 3 hours a day. And he also retired at age 50.
I’ve heard it more times than I can recall: “I can’t believe she got cancer… She’s SO healthy.”
If anything’s the enemy, it’s stress and self-loathing. Junk food is junk. No doubt. But it’s our relationship to it, not the food itself, that gets us into trouble.
By analogy: Guns don’t kill people. People with guns kill people.
And guess what. Our bodies are designed to tolerate a little junk. Unless you purify it into frailty, training it only to digest a few things.
My Ayurveda teacher says that the world is ruled by the durable and adaptable.
Strength and flexibility are why many originally get into yoga. And for me, that extends past the shapes I’m able to make with my body, to all of the things it’s able to do and withstand.
It’s like hand-sanitizer. And anti-bacterial soap. We’ve been creating a culture so fearful of junk that we’re growing resistant to the world in which we live.
The world is dirty. It’s junky. And it’s also home. Everything here is an extension of ourselves. What’s out there is in here. And what’s in here is out there.
So maybe instead of spending so much time labeling things themselves as “good” and “bad”, it’s our relationship to them that bears further examination.
If you’re struggling with stress or self-acceptance this week, I’ve got several openings for coaching sessions. Just hit me up and we’ll make it happen.
Here’s to your health!
OPERATION YOGA 
Great post
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Thanks! 🙂
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Great points. Reminds me of a book I’m listening to, Anti-fragile by Nassim Taleb . Humans thrive under a certain amount of stress. It makes us stronger. If we are too sheltered and pampered we become weak.
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Thanks. And very true. I think it’s the type of stress that distinguishes it’s usefulness. And I’m not convinced that it’s stress we need to thrive… so much as a sense of meaning and purpose. Read a book years ago called “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers”. We’re designed to withstand threats like being chased by tigers. But we get into trouble because psychologically we treat morning traffic (and all the other first world problems) as though they were a matter of life and death.
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First off: Great article Shana… I really enjoyed these two parts: “The world is dirty. It’s junky. And it’s also home. Everything here is an extension of ourselves. What’s out there is in here. And what’s in here is out there.” God, that explanation is so true to me. As I’ve heard it put other ways by “I forget who (maybe Dr. Wayne Dyer in “The Power of Intention”),” You don’t see the world the way it is, You see it the way YOU are.” And of course we can’t forget the famous Gandhi quote that says,”Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Again, meaning it all begins And ends within, and not without.
“So maybe instead of spending so much time labeling things themselves as “good” and “bad”, it’s our relationship to them that bears further examination.” I’ve heard this many times as well, and funny thing I was just reading (earlier tonight) Stephen Covey’s famous book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” where I just read that. Crazy coincidences, or maybe it’s something I am supposed to be taking from that statement, and that’s why I’ve seen it a couple times now today. Nonetheless, a very good point to ponder.
Keep these coming Shana. I enjoy your blogs. You have a very good way getting to the heart of the matter (or blog if you will), expounding a little, and then leaving an impression on the reader.
I hope you mosey on over to mine every once in a while. I haven’t been posting every week like I was initially wanting to do, but I’ve been doing better about keeping my blogs somewhat consistent at least.
Have a great week this week Shana!
Namaste
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