Finding your own way to ‘Eat Pray Love’08/17/2010 from Providence Journal
By Leigh GroganMcClatchy Newspapers
Most of us can only fantasize about taking a year off from life like Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of “Eat Pray Love.” Gilbert, whose story is now on the big screen starring Julia Roberts, divorced her husband and went on a trip around the world for a year, eating in Italy, praying in an ashram in India and finding love in Indonesia.
It’s not exactly the sort of thing that just anyone can do, but there are some simple ways to get a bit of spiritual balance in everyday life. It could start with something as simple as a walk — without a cell phone — according to Rose Zahnn, a fitness instructor and owner of a yoga and Pilates business in Sacramento, Calif.
“I read the book when it came out and I think the nugget she [Gilbert] took away especially in India was the notion of stripping external things like her phone and computer,” she said.
“The closest we could come to that without getting rid of everything, including work and family, is to take time two to three times a week to reconnect with ourselves.”
It’s about making a choice to slow down and maybe, maybe take a deep breath.
Zahnn has practiced yoga for more than 25 years and says it’s ironic that when she started, the mind-body connection of yoga was never mentioned.
“Now, you want to have that link,” Zahnn said. “And there are other things you can do to get rid of the static in your head.”
We’re bombarded by phones, computers, mobile devices, Facebook, Twitter. How hard would it be to take a one-day break from your e-mail?
“I like to take a walk with my dog and just focus on my surroundings no music, no phone,” Zahnn said. “Go to the farmers’ market and enjoy something healthy. It’s all about conscious choices.
“Directing your thoughts is difficult. But if you stay mindful, learn to breathe and slow down the chatter, the message will come true.”
Gilbert’s wake-up call in the book was about living a life she wasn’t resonating with.
For the rest of us, it might just be like taking the garbage out.
It’s not exactly the sort of thing that just anyone can do, but there are some simple ways to get a bit of spiritual balance in everyday life. It could start with something as simple as a walk — without a cell phone — according to Rose Zahnn, a fitness instructor and owner of a yoga and Pilates business in Sacramento, Calif.
“I read the book when it came out and I think the nugget she [Gilbert] took away especially in India was the notion of stripping external things like her phone and computer,” she said.
“The closest we could come to that without getting rid of everything, including work and family, is to take time two to three times a week to reconnect with ourselves.”
It’s about making a choice to slow down and maybe, maybe take a deep breath.
Zahnn has practiced yoga for more than 25 years and says it’s ironic that when she started, the mind-body connection of yoga was never mentioned.
“Now, you want to have that link,” Zahnn said. “And there are other things you can do to get rid of the static in your head.”
We’re bombarded by phones, computers, mobile devices, Facebook, Twitter. How hard would it be to take a one-day break from your e-mail?
“I like to take a walk with my dog and just focus on my surroundings no music, no phone,” Zahnn said. “Go to the farmers’ market and enjoy something healthy. It’s all about conscious choices.
“Directing your thoughts is difficult. But if you stay mindful, learn to breathe and slow down the chatter, the message will come true.”
Gilbert’s wake-up call in the book was about living a life she wasn’t resonating with.
For the rest of us, it might just be like taking the garbage out.
You can find the book Eat, Pray, Love and Gilbert's other book Committment in our store, as well as other calming books to choose from :)
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