As most of you know I have an insane obsession with Buddha. Mainly with collecting small figurines or large Buddha heads, but I also enjoy the teachings of Buddha. One of the things that Buddhism teaches is to respect and control your body, mind, soul. Which, of course, is one of my goals in life: to master the love of my mind, body, and soul (mostly body, since I do already love my soul). "Tame and train your own mind", is what I want to focus on today. I want to incorporate that saying with my daily routine of working out and eating.
As far as eating goes: we are a nation of eating on the go, or "on the run". Everything we do is rushed, and it contributes to the fact that America is so obese. When you are eating a burrito the size of your head while driving you are not focusing on what is going into your body, not focusing on whether or not you're full. One of my teachers at Alfred University, who was a Buddhist, said the best way to eat your meal is at a table, alone, with a few friends, family members, what have you, and focus on what you are doing. Cut your food slowly, chew it slowly, and when holding your cup to drink, hold it with two hands. It lets your body focus and engulf itself at the task its given.
Working out, is a part of my daily life. All day every day is a work out for me. I make it that way. When I walk up the steps I do it with vigor and purpose, when I go out to my car, I jog to it. When I go to the market, I park far away even though I don't have to. Just to make my body function more. I suggest everyone try the same, that way, if at the end of the day you're too tired to go for a run, or too tired to go for a walk, you will have already probably burnt 800 calories just living your daily life more actively.
The best workout for body and soul, as we all know, is yoga. Yoga is one of the loves of my life. It's saved me from so much anger, so many arguments, etc... Yoga not only teaches you poses, or breath control, it also teaches your self control. When I feel myself getting worked up or stressed out (ask my family I know it annoys them) I say "NAMASTE" really loud and sort of fan myself with my hands, rapidly. Thats not a yoga practice, thats just a crazy Katie practice. But then I find a quiet place to just sit, take a deep calming breath, and relax.
There are a lot of great Yoga places in town, the YMCA offers classes, Exhale, Power Flow and there are other places in the area: Montclair, MIllburn, South Orange. But if money is an issue, and girlfriend don't I know how much of an issue it can be, you can download free yoga videos online, youtube has them as well as this site.
As much as my goal here is to lose weight, and love myself, it is also to be happy with where I am now. And yoga, as well as other calming practices help me feel that way. I know they can help you, too. You are strong, lovable, and capable.
Today I didn't work out, but I did some simple yoga poses and relaxed. I ate well, and I ate slowly. I'm going for a nice long walk with Tori tonight, and then going to Montclair with Andrew to do some more walking/coffee drinking.
This life is yours for the taking! Send your light out into the world, sun babies. Mama loves you. Loves you. Loves YOU.
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