Peaceful Weight Loss Through Yoga - Softcover

Passalacqua, Brandt Bhanu Bhanu

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1411632141 ISBN 13: 9781411632141

Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc., 2005

Synopsis

This book will teach you a simple series of yoga postures along with tools to examine and modify your eating patterns. As you explore what your body truly needs, you will discover new ways of moving, breathing, and eating that will help you achieve your ideal weight.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Brandt's Story:

At 30, I found myself with an autoimmune disease, overweight, and confused.

At my peak I was 100 pounds heavier than I am now. I had gained the weight slowly over ten years or so. I've always loved food, but I was disconnected from how it made me feel. And, looking back, I had many obsessive food behaviors. I ate when happy, when depressed, when bored...

I'd eat cheese as a snack before going to bed and wondered why I burped so much.

I drank a lot of coffee and twitched in my sleep.

I ate a lot. Some good food, some bad.

I tried to lose weight through exercise -- I ran 4 times a week or so while smoking 3-4 packs a day.

My weight bobbed up and down.

My knees hurt.

My sickness landed me in the hospital for a couple of weeks, followed by a few months of recovery. My near death experience highlighted my need for a spiritual life -- at the time, I had none. My legs were weak and I was completely out of shape. I needed to do something. I was grateful for being alive and wanted to continue that condition.

My girlfriend (now my wife) suggested I go to a yoga class with her -- so I went. I had no real desire -- no expectations for myself. The only thing I had on my mind was that a lot of women did yoga, so I probably would be out of place. I didn't know it at the time, but I was completely unattached to the result. I just did it.

It was fantastic.

I started doing yoga regularly and really felt it was changing me. I started to eat differently. Gained the willpower I had been lacking. As I physically opened myself, the weight fell into place.

My stress level lowered. How stressed had I been, anyway? I think I was in a constant state of stress.

I was not doing a strenuous practice. But I did it every single day. I have to admit -- I thought that's what everyone did. Like music lessons: I would go to class, learn some things, then try them at home. I didn't realize this wasn't always the case. Also,

I wasn't a "natural." I couldn't sit comfortably. No range of motion. Things others did effortlessly, I considered impossible. But I did it anyway.

I put myself on a new eating regimen which progressed all the time. Got addicted to various foods, and unaddicted again. This time there was a difference. I was aware of it. By practicing yoga every day the awareness came. The desire for awareness came, too. I wanted to know more and more about food. How much and what did I really need to eat?

The pounds came off. My diet evolved into this beautiful thing. I got rid of most of my addictive behavior. I enjoyed my practice. I got into my spiritual self through reading and meditation. Just bowing at the end of my practice and thanking the universe for letting me be alive changed me.

Awareness of more subtle aspects of my health and nature continue to reveal themselves to me. A taste of peace can effect your entire self. Developing regular practice gave me that. That is how I lost the weight.

Now I continue on my path, sharing the little I discovered with others and trying to continue uncovering myself. I still have my food weaknesses. I still eat too much sometimes. I still stress sometimes -- but it feels different than before.

About the Author:

Brandt Bhanu Passalacqua is a private food coach and certified hatha yoga teacher. After struggling with weight, food and substance addiction, and serious illness, he found his way to an easeful restorative yoga practice. He has lost 100 pounds and maintained his health by being kind to his body. He currently has a private practice teaching yoga for weight loss and wellness in New York City.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc.
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1411632141
• ISBN 13: 9781411632141
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 181