I hesitate to even write about the fact that I gave up coffee and caffeine in January because I don’t want people to interpret this as a judgement on anyone who enjoys it. In fact, I’m sure that I would still be drinking it if it wasn’t for how it affected me. Just like some people abstain from even a glass of wine on a special occasion because it affects them dramatically, I’ve found that java doesn’t jive with my body or mind. The truth is that I became one of those people who would get a significant headache if I didn’t get just the right amount of coffee each morning. I called this amount about two cups, but in reality, the oversize mugs that I was using made it more like four. Going to visit people, vacationing or anything that took me out of my routine would become a mini crisis: “Where will I get my coffee this morning?”
As I became more involved with teaching yoga, I noticed that my attachment to coffee was becoming a nuisance. If I taught a morning class, then I would need several bathroom runs right before, so I wouldn’t need to go during the session. If I didn’t get the right amount of coffee for some reason, then I would feel sluggish for the rest of the day. Of course, without anything to pick me up like coffee, I now stand to run ragged the entire day if I don’t get enough sleep. This inconvenience is better than the rest of what I was experiencing, though.
I’m sure that if I didn’t respond so dramatically to caffeine, then I would be happy to keep it as part of my lifestyle. If you’re wondering about decaf – I haven’t ventured here yet, because I want to get the taste of coffee out of my head altogether for a period of time. I don’t see anything wrong with enjoying a decaf cappuccino in the very near future, though. The point here is that moderation is wonderful if you’re not addicted to whatever level of moderation you have. For example, if someone gets sick if they don’t have two cigarettes a day, then they’re obviously attached to that amount of nicotine. As I go along, I’ve realized more and more that attachment to things and habits keeps us bound to them. Freedom, in this case, is being able to take or leave a part of your routine.
As a note, other characteristics that fit in with a yogic lifestyle are nonviolence, compassion, truthfulness and enthusiasm for life (to name a few). Obviously, these could easily describe many other life philosophies, or even religions – many forms of Christianity come to mind. Since I’m writing about yoga here, however, I’ve described my experience in the framework of someone who practices yoga. I also reiterate here that in no way am I condemning coffee, caffeine or the people who consume it.
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A Few Yoga Flows to Get Your Daily Practice Started
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