Listen Close!

I began incorporating raw food into my diet approximately two years ago. Prior to that, I was a slave to caffeine and daily afternoon naps. I was also a slave to the treadmill. Despite dreading the experience, I would consistently drag myself to the gym for my daily hour-long workouts. Some may be inspired by that so-called sense of ‘self-discipline’, yet the reality of the situation was that I felt like a hamster on a spinning wheel. I was miserable. My life was very monotonous, and so was my diet. I was receiving energy from stimulants, because my real energy was too busy digesting processed foods.
Over time, I began noticing the connection between food intake, energy level, and mood. I started experimenting with this intricate relationship, and eventually continued to study at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, where I was introduced to a plethora of dietary theories. As I began incorporating more raw food and less processed food into my diet, I immediately noticed a tremendous shift in my energy levels. It was so sudden, that I almost felt awkward and out of place amongst my coffee-drinking crew. It is no lie that once your dietary intake changes, your mood may shift. I have a friend who once told me, “When you eat simple, you will be simple.” When you eat organically, you begin thinking organically.” Until you try it, you may not experience this sensation. As a result of this unexpected transformation, I knew my daily regimen needed to shift.
Yoga fell into my lap at the same time I began eating healthy (coincidence?). At first, that little voice in my head kept urging me to go back to the gym, however there was some overpowering force that compelled me to slow down and move organically. Yoga requires an enormous amount of energy, focus, and concentration, which cannot be fueled by anything other than a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the coffee I used to drink is now replaced by my yoga practice! Not only does it strengthen the bones, muscles, circulatory, and respiratory systems, it provides me with limitless energy and ease. Yoga has served as a tremendous sigh of relief, and I can sometimes feel and hear my body whispering, “Thank you.” Stretching and strengthening the body are essential to keep all systems running smoothly, especially when you are eating fiber-filled foods provided by Mother Nature.
You do not have to be a ‘spiritual’ person to enjoy the tremendous benefits of yoga. A simple ten-minute home practice is enough to stimulate the major energy centers of your body. When you wake up in the morning, I encourage you to offer silent gratitude for something in your life. Listen close for the cues your body is giving you, and move in a way that feels good. Finding the space between steadiness and ease will provide for an effective practice.

Shayna Hiller is a Holistic Health Counselor and private yoga instructor in NYC and Northern NJ. She has assisted numerous people of all ages in listening to what their body is asking for, and in return, gaining more energy, losing weight, and finding peace. To learn more about her work, please visit her website at www.shaynayoga.com or her active blog at www.holiscious.com. For a complimentary one-hour consultation, please e-mail Shayna at shaynayoga@gmail.com.