Yogic Holidays

By Margaret Burns Vap, 12-19-07

Aparigraha, or non-possessiveness, is one of the five moral restraints called yamas in the eight-limbed path of yoga. One definition that I particularly like states that aparigraha limits possessions to what is necessary or important. This concept can seem as far away as outer space during the holiday season, when we often feel pressured to give and receive gifts. But gift giving can also be fun, and there are many ways to do it. The holidays are my favorite time of year, in large part because I’ve learned the importance of embracing the season as an opportunity to give of myself: my time, my attention, my efforts to create precious memories that will outlast any material thing. I encourage you to consider ways you can connect with others - bake cookies with family and friends, volunteer in your community, indulge in fun holiday activities besides shopping (my family and I are going on a sleigh-ride this weekend and I cannot wait to see the look on my 2 year old’s face!).

Yoga Journal online has a great article right now entitled “True Comfort and Joy”. The subtitle reads, “The holidays can unsettle even the most grounded among us. But by simplifying and reinventing your approach to the season, you can not only survive it but enjoy it, too.” It’s got some great ideas for how to maximize your holiday joy, but I must say that my favorite part is the following section called Slow your Pace:

...the season can feel as if it’s spinning too fast. “This is a time to be more internal,” says Todd Norian, an Anusara Yoga teacher in western Massachusetts. “Animals hibernate. It’s cold, and your body is trying to slow down.” Honoring the body’s natural tendency to be still in winter makes you less likely to overeat, overspend, and overcommit. It also gives you a chance to find that deeper sense of happiness that isn’t dependent on finding the perfect party dress.

An ideal way to soothe your nerves is to go on retreat [check out big sky yoga retreats to sign up for one of mine!] . Most yoga centers organize holiday packages. “If you’re not able to have that luxury,” says Norian’s wife, Anusara Yoga teacher Ann Greene, “you can still create a period each day to go inward and be silent. It’s a natural time of year to wind down and reflect.”

...And if ever there is a time to stick to routines, this is it. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, and redouble your commitment to yoga. If you maintain balance most of the time, you can enjoy the season’s indulgences even more and recover from them more quickly. Greene says she and Norian eat very simply at home most of the month. “When we go out to celebrate, we enjoy it. People have so much guilt and shame,” Greene says. “Enjoy the season in moderation ... Going with it creates less stress.”

I’d like to share some reflections I wrote for Athleta, my sponsor, on their featured athlete page (yes, that would be me!). While they were written with general life balance in mind, I can’t think of a more important time than the holiday season to do everything possible to maintain a balanced approach, in order to truly appreciate the season instead of becoming overwhelmed. I hope that these will inspire you to keep mind, body and spirit in balance this time of year, and of course, to keep up with your yoga practice too!

Note to male readers: since Athleta is a women’s clothing company, my reflections are geared towards women; however, with the exception of the question on motherhood, I believe everything here can be applied to everyone, both male and female.

1. What do you see, from all of your work with a diverse group of women, as being the biggest “perceived” hurdle to leading a more active/athletic lifestyle?

Not having enough time. So many women are juggling multiple, demanding roles in life. Somehow we’ve convinced ourselves that taking ‘me’ time is a luxury. I view it as non-negotiable. Once caring for ourselves becomes an established priority, it’s easier to take the time. Taking care of yourself has benefits that reach beyond the individual—all relationships benefit and we have more energy, clarity, and patience for juggling our many roles and responsibilities. Yoga helps you do anything better—and for me that includes day-to-day life.

2. Tell us more about how the benefits of yoga spill over into other areas of a woman’s life.

There are a lot of subtle changes that evolve from your yoga practice. Instead of having the “fight or flight” response to stress characterized by shallow breathing, your body instinctually moves into rhythmic, deep breathing that helps reduce stress. When sitting for long periods of time, being aware of good posture feels more natural. Even little movements and stretches that ease discomfort from body imbalance start to happen without conscious thought. In short, your body recognizes the balance yoga brings and finds ways to get there even when not on the mat.
Yoga also helps you let go of the need to achieve results that drive so many aspects life. Letting go of expectations in your practice results in freedom to be happy with any effort, whether you pushed your physical edge or moved more slowly. Taking this openness into other areas of life brings greater contentment and the ability to see the positive side of every experience, even if it isn’t what we expected or intended.

3. What “essentials” do you emphasize for yoga practice and avoiding injury?

Respect your body and what it is telling you; make it a goal to chip away at the disconnect between your mind and body. In our culture we tend to push ourselves for dramatic results, which cultivates competitiveness and detachment from our physical body. In athletic activities, the result can be injury. But your yoga mat is a place to listen to your body—there’s no prize for pushing yourself into the picture-perfect pose when your body isn’t ready. It’s good to challenge yourself occasionally, just know your limits. If you respect the process of change that comes with your yoga practice, your body will reward and eventually surprise you. But it doesn’t happen overnight or with force.

4. Do you have any secrets or advice for a healthy diet or eating plan to stay in shape?

Educate yourself. It’s important to have respect and appreciation for your food and where it comes from. Whether animal or vegetable, your food goes though a lot to get to your plate. Be aware of that and investigate its origins; it doesn’t take extensive research, and asking a few questions can enable you to make healthier choices. Educate yourself on food labeling, processing, buying organic. You don’t have to be an extremist, but knowledge is power when you are not able to get the freshest or healthiest fare. Eating healthy is about awareness and being mindful.
Cook for your loved ones (including yourself). Preparing meals for yourself, family, and friends is a thoughtful and creative process: deciding what to make, shopping for the ingredients, preparing the meal. Many of my yoga students talk about diet and nutrition, and a common complaint is not wanting to cook a good meal if they are alone. Why not—don’t you deserve it? Making a gourmet meal for one is a great way to take care of yourself. There are many excellent cooking magazines, cookbooks, and cooking sites with simple, quick recipes. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s a good feeling to know you selected and prepared the food that goes into your body. To be environmentally-conscious and connected to the rhythms of the earth, buy food that’s in season.
Honor the needs of your body. Women have a lot of cultural baggage about eating and food. We’re conditioned to believe that less food is better. So not true! Different bodies need different amounts of energy, especially if you’re active. Tune into your body’s cues and rhythms. Learn to recognize when you are truly hungry; don’t eat just because it is lunchtime. Learn to recognize when you are full; don’t keep eating because there’s still food on the table. Our body rhythms also vary with the seasons. You need heartier, heavier fare in cold winter months and lighter fare when the weather is warm.

5. Tell us about one of your peak experiences, and why that experience was pivotal in your own athletic pursuits.

My peak experience hasn’t been anything sudden and dramatic. It started with discovering a new way to exercise and has evolved to embracing yoga as my life’s work. A key component has been overcoming guilt for taking “me time,” not just an hour during the day, but also going away for retreats. It’s been so rewarding to spend a chunk of uninterrupted time focused on my well-being that I chose to start a business around this concept. On yoga retreats I’ve taken my practice to new physical levels while challenging myself mentally and emotionally. I’ve experienced the most dramatic change when I push my comfort zone in all three areas.

6. Who are your inspirational role models and why?

My yoga students. One of the best things about making yoga my career is the people I’ve met. I’m constantly amazed and inspired by every individual and his or her life experiences, challenges and goals. We have so much to learn from each other, and it’s powerful to recognize that. Sometimes the smallest thing can translate into the biggest inspiration.

7. What does the term “mind, body and spirit” mean to you?

In order to be balanced in life, we need to devote equal attention to all three components of our being. Our culture compartmentalizes these components and takes them to extremes, particularly mind and body. We often live too much in our heads or push our bodies beyond their limits. The spirit component gets thorny—we are a somewhat secular society that’s insecure about our spiritual side and what it means. In my experience, yoga is the only activity that nurtures all three components, creating balance and harmony. Through its practice and 5,000 year history we come into contact with the spiritual element of our humanity, passed down from our ancestors. Modernization has numbed the spirit, so it’s essential to reconnect on a spiritual level by learning from traditions with ancient roots. That’s why I believe yoga has resonated with so many people today—it fulfills a deep, primordial need.

8. How has becoming a mother affected your yoga practice, your personal and professional life balance?

Before Morgane was born I was worried about how to “fit it all in.” It was challenging enough to find life balance on my own, let alone with another little being involved! I was surprised to discover, with the birth of my daughter, hundreds of doors opened to possibilities I had never considered before. While finding my life balance is an ongoing challenge, her presence in my life has inspired me to keep the quest going strong and I believe I am more balanced than ever, despite the wide-ranging demands on my time. I feel stronger than ever before, physically and mentally. My yoga practice at first appears a contradiction: I am more disciplined with my practice in order to ensure it happens, yet less regimented about it. I have given myself permission to be “softer,” to not always have to push for maximum effort, to listen attentively to the needs of my body and mind. I’ve become more in tune with my body. Motherhood has definitely treated me well.

Wishing you a joyful holiday filled with peace and health. Namaste.

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