Holiday Over-Eating

Let's face it -- we all eat too much during the holiday season. If we're struggling with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) this craving for comfort foods can turn into an all-out food orgy. So now that we're headed into the new year of 2010 here's a few yoga tips to help deal with these seasonal food cravings.

According to the ancient tradition of Ayurveda (a sister science to Yoga) our digestion is strongest during the mid-day meal. Try eating your biggest meal at mid-day then follow up with a brisk walk after lunch. Fruit and nuts are a good mid-afternoon snack. If at all possible, eat a light dinner on the earlier side. This will allow time for the food to digest properly before going to sleep. A snack is okay before bed but keep it on the light side too.

Choose yoga postures which emphasize the exhale... abdominal strengthening, forward bends and twists. This will have a cleansing effect through the stimulation of digestion and elimination.

Find a friend who also wants to cut down on their his/her food intake and support each another in changing habit patterns of eating and exercising. If we feel understood and supported we're more likely to make positive changes in our lives and stick with them.