| Do you constantly eat on the go, snack on junk food | | | | that when you are angry, upset or frustrated you |
| and indulge your cravings for sweet and highly salty | | | | grab and eat foods which you usually do not eat, or |
| foods? Have you tried to eat healthier yet feel | | | | you may feel so mad you haven't the energy to |
| overwhelmed by all the advice thrown at you from all | | | | stomach anything else? Whereas when life flows and |
| corners? | | | | you feel good, you feel more inclined to choose |
| Yoga, with its emphasis on eating a healthy balanced | | | | foods which make you feel good inside? |
| diet, offers you a variety of ways to help break | | | | 3. As you start to become more aware of the |
| unhealthy eating habits. If you regularly eat refined | | | | spiritual side of life, you develop a sense of awe and |
| and processed foods, drink lots of caffeine or alcohol, | | | | appreciation for all life. This extends to the foods you |
| red meat and fatty foods; you increase your risks of | | | | eat. The yogic philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) |
| gaining weight, increasing your stress levels and | | | | recognises the sacred in all forms, including animals. |
| depleting your body's natural reserves as you put | | | | Generally, yogis favour a non-meat, vegetarian diet |
| unnecessary strain on your cardio vascular system. | | | | as this causes the less harm to another being. You |
| If you want to have vibrant health, be full of life and | | | | will notice that a vegetarian diet consists of lots of |
| vitality then the foods you eat play a key role in | | | | pulses, nuts and seeds; foods that are wholesome, |
| helping you achieve this. Change your unhealthy | | | | natural and full of vitality. |
| eating habits and you are well on the way to living a | | | | 4. Life is full of colour. Look around and notice the |
| more fulfilling and energised life. | | | | variety of colours found in fruit and vegetables. Each |
| Five Easy Ways Yoga Breaks Unhealthy Eating Habits | | | | colour relates to the energy centres (chakras); |
| 1. Yoga philosophy offers you a solid framework in | | | | choosing a combination of colours in your regular diet |
| which to choose foods to eat. From a yogic | | | | helps you have a well balanced diet that enriches |
| perspective, the purpose of foods is to assist your | | | | your life. |
| body to cleanse, revitalise, repair and build up your | | | | 5. Be present. Yoga encourages you to live in the |
| immune system. A yogic diet consists of foods which | | | | present moment, to be fully aware of how your |
| are eaten in as close to their natural state as | | | | body feels as you breathe through your practice. |
| possible, e.g raw or lightly steamed, whole grains, | | | | When you apply "presence" to your diet, you eat |
| pulses, nuts and seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. | | | | with a conscious awareness and fully appreciate your |
| Food contains energy; therefore to gain the | | | | meal. Instead of mindless chewing and eating in front |
| maximum energy you need for your body to | | | | of the television, eating with presence leaves you |
| function you need to eat foods which are nutritionally | | | | feeling spiritually and mentally calmer and fed. |
| rich and bursting with energy. | | | | The goal of yoga is to achieve inner and outer |
| 2. Eat with love. Yoga encourages you to get in | | | | balance. The foods that you eat can help you |
| touch with your inner being. The more in tune you | | | | achieve this. Take your time to explore your |
| are with what is going on in your inner world, the | | | | relationship with food, to note how different foods |
| easier it becomes for you to choose foods which | | | | make you feel and choose foods which leave you |
| reflect your natural state of being. Have you noticed | | | | feeling cleansed, nourished and vibrant. |