In todays world there are many reasons why
throughout all continents more and more people are suffering from obesity. What is fundamental is that we look at what
is the root cause of this, we are living in the most comfortable of times, but
people are at their most unhealthy, why are people resulting in such unhealthy
ways of eating and living? There are
many choices out there it is not necessary to live this way.
We know the effects physically that obesity can
bring – heart diseases, diabetes, circulation and joint issues etc. Mental side effects can be depression, loss
of enthusiasm and vitality and a feeling of being in a rut that you simply
can’t see anyway out of. People are not
feeling good about themselves, which leads to more unhealthy choices and
deepening into the rut.
What causes obesity? Simply the wrong choices on how we are eating
and what we are eating. Why do we make
those wrong choices, because we are turning to food to replace something that
we feel is missing from our lives, love or being needed by someone or the
community, feelings of anxiousness or nervous energy, these can all direct us
to food.
Ultimately any emotional and mental instability
is the root cause and it is this that we need to address.
Yoga can give the inspiration to direct these
negativities into a positive attitude and allows the ladder to be put into
place to start the climb out of the rut of bad habits and wrong thinking. Here is how to make a start –
Find a teacher that inspires you, gives you
confidence and develops your will power.
Learn some relaxation techniques especially if
you are the nervous eater type, and use these before you eat. Eating in a tense way can lead to wolfing
down your food and eating far too much which is impairing the digestion. Learn to relax before you eat, say a prayer
or mantra for the food you are taking and respect that food, take what you need
and not more. Enjoy the process of
eating, tasting the food and chewing well.
Those that eat out of boredom need to direct
themselves toward some positive activities, and away from home or the place
where there is so much temptation of food around. Get out into the community and get involved,
go for walks out in nature, meet some new people, see how you can help out and
be a benefit to your local community. We
all have something that we can offer even if it is just listening to others. Get involved with some gardening projects and
see if you can grow your own vegies or fruits.
Practice yoga – Surya Namaskar is a wonderful
boon for the whole system. Practice
slowly to begin with and slowly build up your stamina. At first practice for a shorter amount of
time and have more relaxation afterwards, notice how you feel, how your body
feels after practice and slowly increase the practice over time. Practice such poses as pawanmuktanasana,
pachimotinasana and padahastasana.
Practice breathing techniques such as alternate nostril breathing which
will calm and soothe your system and start to bring the endocrine system back
into balance, and help to soothe the mental activity. Practice Yoga Nidra for complete relaxation.
Start to turn your diet around slowly, don’t
make any harsh changes; this will result in a mental revolt in what you are
doing and likely that you will make many steps backward and not forward. Gently start to make healthier choices and
begin to eat more natural foods, fresh vegetables, fruits and grains. Over time your body will naturally start to
want these types of foods than the unhealthier options. Cut down on your sugar, replace with a
natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup or jagery. Don’t switch to artificial sweeteners these
are equally as bad for you, be as natural as you can.
Practice Yoga and raise yourself out of your
condition finding harmony once again through the mental and physical self, you
will find the feelings that are missing or you think you are missing from your
life through the practice. Your heart is
full of love, compassion, joy and peace and yoga will show you the way to
finding them again. Yoga can show you
the way back to being a complete happy, healthy and joyful being.
Take the courage and dive in!
It is advisable to find a class that is
suitable for you, not too demanding, a gentle Hatha class would be advisable,
and remember to relax once you become tired within the class. Slowly over time your fitness levels will
increase and your body will start to change. Do it with love for yourself
and patience. Ask the teacher for a few
asana’s (postures) you can practice at home to help the process. Find the fresh energy that you need and a new positive you through yoga.
Have beautiful days and love yourself, your body,
your energy and your mind, because you are beautiful.
Om Namah Sivaya
Mangala / Nicky.
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