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As I Sit Down to Eat

from Ecstatic Dances by JoAnne Spies

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about

'As I Sit Down to Eat' was written for the final class of a series that explored mindful eating, Ayurveda and yoga.

Big thanks to excellent teachers Larissa, Tosca and Janna
and all the participants in Yoga and Mindful Eating.

The chorus is a reminder to connect with the elements
and to B R E A T H E (pranayama, kapalabhati, and dirga are calming or invigorating breath practices.)


How can there be such a disparity between those who consciously slow down to be aware of their food and the many who have none?

Here's an excellent organization founded by Jeff Bridges: endhunger.com where we can help 'all beings have enough.'

Local food banks are a good place to start, or we can do something totally new and creative like the fellow in Seattle who skips lunch one day a week, sets up a dining table outside and collects $ and raises awareness as he sits at the empty table setting.

In the Berkshires:
thenutritioncenter.org/alleviate

Other resources for mindful eating:
geneenroth.com
mindfulnesscds.com

lyrics

As I Sit Down to Eat

Help me take a breath and listen
To the voice I hear within
Help me nurture who I am
Who I am's not fat or thin

Breathing like the ocean
Standing tall as a tree
Burning like a wildfire
As I sit down to eat

Pranayama, kapalabhati, dirgha,
Dear God, let me be a mindful eater
Goddess, let me flow like tumbling water
Fire, burn away what is not needed
Burn away what is not needed

Let me roll my toes and shoulders
Let me salute the sun
Let me thank the earth and flowers
For all the work they’ve done

Breathing like the ocean
Standing tall as a tree
Burning like a wildfire
As I sit down to eat

(Repeat Chorus)

Am I drinking hatred with my coffee?
Am I eating envy with my bread?
Do I leave ideas undigested?
Swallow feelings left unsaid?

Can I be right here in the moment?
Am I looking front and back?
Too much food is not enough
To make up for the love we lack

Pranayama, kapalabhati, dirgha,
Dear God, let me be a mindful eater
Goddess, let me flow like tumbling water
Fire, burn away what is not needed
Burn away what is not needed

May all beings have enough

(Repeat chorus 3 x)

c 2014 words and music by JoAnne Spies

credits

from Ecstatic Dances, released March 29, 2015

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all rights reserved

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JoAnne Spies Stockbridge, Massachusetts

JoAnne Spies is a singer songwriter who collaborates with her audience in rhythm and sound explorations. An innovative performer, she invites the audience to literally walk with her, leading groups on musical experiences down Main Street to Stockbridge-Munsee tribe burial grounds and through museums. Her song "Survival Tree" honored Jane Goodall and the tree at Ground Zero for Intl. Day of Peace. ... more

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