Gluttonasana aka You Got Butter On My Yoga Mat

A friend and I went to Le Cameleon today, a little restaurant right next to school in lovely Montparnasse. We enjoyed a three course lunch.

Yep, you heard me. Three courses. For lunch. If three courses for lunch is wrong, then I don?t want to be right.

I started with the saumon norvegien, which came swimming in the most glorious pool of butter. No pun intended.

Next up, lightly smoked haddock, also swimming in butter and served up with perfectly seasoned spinach.

My dining companion and fellow food loving friend had a glorious fish en bouillabaisse,

that was served with some kind of amazing mayo based sauce. I tried it. Off of a spoon. Yum.

And the best part of all, the tout noir ? three layers of chocolate gorgeousness. Chocolate mousse, chocolate ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce. Chocolate coma, to follow. 

Of course, it wouldn?t be lunch in Paris without a glass of wine. Obviously.

Gluttony, I love you.

It was a glorious day, however a bit ironic. I got home to find a question from a reader asking me about my thoughts on the connection between food and yoga, with a link to an article in the New York Times called When Chocolate and Chakras Collide.

I?ve actually read this article before, but never really thought about it until today after my very indulgent lunch experience. The article discusses this new movement of yogis, who happen to be foodies too. There are even yoga studios popping up all over the U.S., much like Ubuntu in Napa, California,  that serve up gourmet meals after a sweaty yoga class.

When I went to Jivamukti in New York City this past summer, the cafe at the front of the studio offered fresh, healthy salads, juices and smoothies and I remember loving that community feel that the cafe/yoga studio combination provided. But still, the question remains – Can you really indulge in gourmet food ? think chocolate, cheese, wine and chocolate – and still be a ?good yogi??

Although I?m quite certain I won?t be coming out of savasana to a steaming bowl of soup anytime soon, I?m quite comfortable with my love of both yoga and food. As a yogi, foodie, and chef-wanna-be, I can see the connection – the yoga in both cooking fresh, healthy food and spending time on the mat. I often get that same calm, focused feeling I get in my practice when I?m standing over a pot of freshly made soup, getting lost in the rhythmic motion of chopping, stirring, and taking it all in.

One of the criticisms of this yogi/foodie culture is the eating of meat and it?s relationship to ahimsa, or non-violence, the first principle of yoga. This do no harm principle has translated into vegetarian diets for many yogis, despite the fact that many well known and respected yoga teachers (the article mentions Ana Forrest) have admitted to including animal products in their diet.

I?ve tried the vegetarian thing and it just doesn?t make me feel good. In my opinion the first form of non-violence should be towards yourself. Obviously, it?s not going to harm me to not eat meat (or, perhaps, smoked haddock in a pool of melted French  butter. Just sayin?) but I enjoy my culinary adventures and tasting a wide variety of foods. I?m not shoveling food into my mouth missing the whole experience, I?m savoring every little moment and am present.

My practice has certainly influenced my food choices. I lean towards healthier foods and many of my meals are light, protein rich and have lots of veggies because it makes me feel good. When I eat healthy, my body feels healthy and strong and that?s how I like to eat most of the time. But I certainly love to indulge every once in a while too. So sue me.

I like what Sadie Nardin, a yoga teacher in New York says in the article: ?The culture of judgment in the yoga community ? I call it ?yogier than thou? ? is rampant, and nowhere more than around food.? If vegetarianism works for some, then great. But I think by saying that a yogi isn?t a yogi because they eat meat is kind of defeating the whole purpose, don?t ya think?

Days like today are special. I spent an hour and a half over lunch with a friend, enjoying every bite and giggling with delight We even  talked about how nice it is to have someone to share such a beautiful meal with ? how not too many people really appreciate food that has been given so much attention and been prepared with thought and passion. Isn?t that the point? We felt so lucky to be able to experience the food, the atmosphere and the company over a nice long lunch.

I?m a yogi. And I happen to love food. Am I perfect? No. But is anyone? Is there really such a  thing as a ?good yogi?? One who follows all the rules (are there rules?) who does everything the way it should be?

So to all my food-lovin? yogis out there?what do you think? Can you have both? How has your practice influenced your food choices? How do you feel about eating meat and ahimsa?