No, it's not a low-fat recipe for fruit cake. Brahmacharya is the Sanskrit word in Yoga for moderation in all things, not just food, but also material and, yes even, sexual moderation. Gasp! Yes, I'll give you a moment to breathe after that last one I mentioned. The principle of Brahmacharya refers to anything we might be tempted to be in excess of...which could even apply to our professional lives and our work.

So then, how do we practice being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually when we're served with such a Heaping helping of the Holidays with all its food, fun and spirits?

Though it's particulary tempting to be in excess during the Holidays, practicing the Yoga principle of Brahmacharya can be beneficial not just for keeping off those 5 - 10 extra pounds of physical heaviness, but for staying light and healthy emotionally and spiritually, as well.

Have you ever had a night of eating and/or drinking in excess? How have you felt the next day...full of life and energy or a bit heavy, bloated and unhealthy? I've begun to notice practicing moderation with what we put into our bodies is about a lot more than not gaining weight. When we overindulge in anything...(notice I did not say indulge), we create a heaviness within ourselves on every level of awareness, meaning physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

So then why do we choose to overindulge if we don't feel our best when we do it? Perhaps it's because "everyone else is doing it" or all those parties and work parties make it seem justifiable so you "might as well" because "you only live once."

Or maybe because somewhere within us we believe if we consume more (on any level) it'll make us happier, fuller and we will experience pleasure. In Yoga this idea that more/better equals happier/fuller is known as an illusion or maya of life.

"Yoga is not for him who gorges too much, nor for him who starves himself. It is not for him who sleeps too much, nor for him who stays awake. By moderation in eating and in resting, by regulation in working and by concordance in sleeping and waking, Yoga destroys all pain and sorrow." - Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyenger

So, next time you're tempted to overindulge in pie, fruit cake or for an illusory sense of fulfillment, remember that the true joy and light of life is within you and grows brighter and lighter everytime you choose to honor your body, mind and spirit.Read more