Letting Go of Living in Extremes
“Extremes are easy. Strive for balance.”
—Colin Wright
The yoga philosophy of brahmacharya, or moderation and balance, is the fourth of the five yamas that guides us to bring awareness to the habits in our lives that deplete us so that we can make new choices that foster balance. Brahmacharya is the conservation of our energy so we can complete the activities that we do from a place of steadiness, and a place of more ease than not.
When we are battling an eating disorder, the traditional translation of brahmacharya, “control of the senses,” can easily be misinterpreted as control over eating and hunger. Rather, it is the practice of moving away from extremes, such as not making our nourishment a priority by undereating or overeating, under- or over-doing it with exercise, and being extreme with our thoughts, and living in balance.
Recovering from an eating disorder is a constant practice of getting honest about what behaviors, thoughts, people, and environments deplete our energy or balance it. As we build the courage to make choices that align with recovery and feed our energy, we move more and more toward balance in body, mind, and spirit. Each day is a new opportunity to practice making choices that lead us out of extremes and into balance.
Reflect on Brahmacharya in Your Recovery
I recommend Jennie Lee's book, True Yoga for more on brahmacharya. She reminds us that “employing balance to find the right levels of work, play, creativity, and service, we moderate the exchange of giving and receiving energy with the world around us.” And, “if we listen to our bodies, we have an ever-present gauge to see how our personal management system is working … [and can] establish daily connection with our inner rhythms and needs.”
In the spirit of brahmacharya, I invite you to reflect on these questions to explore brahmacharya in your life:
What is an extreme that you would like to find more balance with?
What or who drains your energy?
What does your body need to feel more balanced right now? (Consider nourishment, hydration, movement, rest, sleep)
What is something that supports you in your recovery that you want to put your energy into today?
Where does your energy need to flow so that you can be present to the moments as you live them?
What’s something you want to create in your life?
Guided Meditations for Practicing Moderation
When you have a few moments of quiet and a willingness to check in with yourself, I invite you to try a guided meditation on brahmacharya.
I’d love to hear how you focus on moderation in your recovery. Please feel free to share in the comments. And if you are looking for support on your recovery journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.