In yoga class this week I discussed the concept of “nonexcess,” the yogic philosophy called Brachmacharya. Certainly, it is not difficult to see how much our modern lives are consumed with the opposite—excess! We live in a “more is better,” “all-you-can-eat,” “get more for your money,” “buy the new shiny thing” world. When times were
Last week I was leading a retreat in Brazil for Eat for Life Teachers-In-Training and members of the Centro Brasileiro de Mindful Eating. We carefully went through the orientation and ten-week program to talk about important concepts and review the challenges that can arise when people take the class. At the end when everyone was
I just arrived in Brazil to teach a five day professional training on my Eat for Life Program. To my surprise and delight, my hotel was right by an urban park. It was a Sunday and there were people engaging in soccer, gymnastics, strolling, running, strength training, dog training, kid chasing, and more. Everyone looked
About a month ago a good friend got in my car to go to the gym and immediately blurted out “Can I ask you a personal question?” I said “Sure,” being pretty open to people about most things in my life. It turns out that she wanted to know how much I weighed. To her
The ethical practice of not stealing can be found in every spiritual tradition I’ve ever studied. The first one I learned was “Thou shalt not steal” from the ten commandments. The second precept of Buddhism asks you to “undertake the training to abstain from taking what is not given.” And Asteya or “non-stealing” is one
Last week I wrote about the ethical precept of nonviolence, or Ahimsa from the teachings of yoga. This week I have been practicing with the second precept of “truthfulness,” or Satya. You really can’t practice truthfulness well without nonviolence, so it’s convenient that they come right after the other. But even when you speak with
This week in the yoga classes I teach, I have been talking about the ethical practice of non-violence, or Ahimsa as it’s called in Sanskrit. Non-violence is at the heart of the teachings in yoga and provides the foundation for the other guidelines. Regardless of its historical or religious underpinnings, I think most people would
Could you use a little more peace, freedom, and understanding with food and your body? If so, it’s time to register for my next round of classes starting in September. Plan ahead and get these dates on your calendar before the busyness of your life takes over. This ten-week LIVE online mindful eating program will
“In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow.” Pico Iyer I often teach what I need to learn and, boy, is this lesson a big one for me. I move fast, talk fast, think fast, and drive fast. The faster I move, the more lost in thought I tend
Act soon to take advantage of the $100 early signup discount on your trip to Costa Rica next February! Offer ends June 1. This will be the sixth trip I’ve taken to the Pura Vida Spa. Why, you might ask, do I keep returning? This trip creates a perfect balance of yoga practice, time for
