The Yoga of Eating
I am writing this here, first and foremost to remind myself that I used to eat mindfully! This was before becoming a mother where mealtimes didn’t involve airplanes and many many forms of stand up entertainment (most recently what works to get Remy to eat is pretending his mouth is a goal in which food gets scored and at each mouthful we cheer!).
Anyway, so here are some steps that have helped me in the past to take it nice and slow with food. They actually have really worked for me so I am reminding myself again. Thich Nhat Hanh says that ‘when we can slow down and really enjoy our food, our life takes on a much deeper quality.’ And it is so true. My body relaxes when I eat with the intention and energy of mindfulness (I can actually feel my gut soften and relax) and my perspective changes and things feel more possible and expansive again.
But even without following all of the steps suggested below, just smelling your food before you eat it allows you to take a deep breath in and awaken your sense of smell - which is very linked to both relaxation and truly tasting. Since the idea of yoga is to take the embodied practice off the mat and out into the world and everyday life, it makes sense to practice the yoga of eating - something that consistently takes place three times a day, usually seated. Though eating is pleasurable, I find that being present with the food I eat involves allowing unpleasant sensations to surface as well. But I have found staying with the breath and the sensory experience of eating is such a supports. Hope you find this helpful too.
A GUIDED EATING MEDITATION:
1. BREATHE
“Breathe you are alive!”
Take a few slow, deep breaths into your belly before eating.
2. CONSIDER
“This food is a gift of the whole universe!” Take a moment to consider the journey of this food in order to get to your plate: the sun, healthy soil, saved seeds, water, farmers.
3. OBSERVE
Observe the colours, shapes and aromas of the food. Try putting down your utensil and giving your full attention to each mouthful.
4. SAVOUR
Notice the temperature and texture, and experience the flavour that emanates as you chew. Attempt to chew each mouthful for about 20-30 times slowly. “Let the chewing relax you”