ashtanga yoga Strange food cravings? -Rahel

[Guest guest]

I think all ashtangis are addicted to chocolate (and caffine/stimulants?) or at

the least have cravings that we divulge in on occasion. i think it has

something to do with the fact that this is a yang practice in many ways - we

start most postures on the right side of the body etc, and the body in turn

craves the yin that sugar represents, it's more of a sub-consious balancing act,

especially for women, as the body is naturally more yin, and therefore we seek

to draw the yin back in. it also ignites the pitta - or digestive fire, no

wonder you feel hungrier than normal!

 

as far as chocolate - i think if you are eating malitol it might be better to

just have the sugar? (or carob..stevia?!) your liver never gets rid of

chemical products like malitol and other inorganic sugar substitutes, you know?

if we study the science of yoga, i think we are drawn to examine our

relationship with the earth and crave naturally occuring products as a

by-product of practice. but the focus should not be on denying or overindulging

oneself...it has more to do with balancing oneself. and i think we are all in

perfect balance anyway

 

you said you feel out of balance since summer - it could have a lot to do w/your

ayurvedic dosha and how high aspects were in certain seasons, built up in the

body. check into that if you have some time and have not yet!

 

and i totaly hear you in terms of the body "needing" certain foods. i have most

certainly been there one or twice myself... i don't really think it is actually

the food that you are indulging in on occasion that is the problem, i think it

is the guilt and shame around it that is more of the problem. practice

consiousness and not guilt. most yoga belly's are soft, not hard, it looks and

feels more natural, but if it's important to you to have a flat stomach - then

it's nothing more practice won't cure .

 

be well:)

 

bheit2003 <bheit wrote:

 

 

Rahel,

>I completly understand what your saying. Your body is craving

protein.

>Should eat your body weight divided by 2, divided by number of meals

per day = # grams protein required at every meal. I eat no dense

protein 100% vegetarian and watch my protein intake very seriously

and this breakdown works for me and lot's of others too.

>You may or may not wish to visit www.radiantrecovery.com and take

a "sugar sensitivity test" on the web site regarding the chocolate

and perhaps sugar content in milk.

>Regarding getting back into shape, there is no better way then the

Astanga practice. The primary series removes toxins and enables one

to see things clearly as they are. The practice also takes one from

impossible to everyday poses, by comparison adjusting one's eating

habits is easy.

 

BTW I could "care less" about flat Abs, it does not matter.

 

Namaste,

 

Bob