Eating is Yoga

By Pavel G. Somov, Ph.D.

The Sanskrit root of the word “yoga” means “to yoke.” Therefore, yoga is literally union. In truth, all of your existence is yoga. You are made of this world. You depend on this world. If this world ends—locally or globally—you end too. There is no absolute self-sufficiency, and therefore no stand-alone self.

All separation is relative, a trick of the mind. Un-trick yourself at your next meal. Recognize that you are not apart from this world but a part of this world. Eating, just like breathing, reminds you of this union.

As such, the behavior of eating is yoga. Eating unifies.

Let your dinner table become a yoga mat for your mind. And stay in the asana you are in: when you eat, eat.

Adapted from Reinventing the Meal

photo credit: owlmonkey

Pavel Somov, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and the author of "Eating the Moment" (New Harbinger, 2008), "Present Perfect" (NH, 2010), "The Lotus Effect" (NH, 2010), "Smoke Free Smoke Break" (2011), and "Reinventing the Meal" (2012). He is in private practice in Pittsburgh, PA. His book website is www.eatingthemoment.com

Marla Somova, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is the co-author of "Smoke Free Smoke Break" (2011).

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Last reviewed: 26 Aug 2012

APA Reference
Somov, P. (2012). Eating is Yoga. Psych Central. Retrieved on June 19, 2013, from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/mindful-living/2012/08/eating-is-yoga/