A Nourishing Practice: Marina Zahran
Many on our team at Edible Columbus find meaning in the practice of yoga. In this issue, we asked Columbus-based yoga practitioner Marina Zahran how her yoga practice and nutritional preferences have informed each other. Here’s what she had to say:
Nutrition and yoga work together beautifully to train the body and mind to identify both gross and subtle imbalances. I look at nutrition and yoga as incredibly powerful tools to take us back to the root cause of dis-ease in the mind and body. Instead of applying a temporary Band-Aid, Ayurvedic nutrition and yoga tease us to dive into the deep end and embrace the Nancy Drew to our individual health mystery.
These complementary practices teach us to listen to the whispers of our mind and body. We live in a society where we often wait until emotions, injuries, injustice, etc. are screaming for attention before we even begin to address them. This is why I adore these two practices. Nutrition (specifically Ayurvedic nutrition) and yoga challenge us to tune in and hush up. They challenge us to identify the unique nature of our self (genetics and physiology), unique nature of any present disruptions (symptoms) and the unique nature of the remedies (yoga, diet, sensory and lifestyle therapies).
To me, education around yoga and nutrition means freedom. Aren’t we sick and tired of being sick and tired? The time to reclaim our health and wellness is now. Educate yourself through resources and personal experiences. We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do so—let’s embrace it. Don’t make the same mistake over and over, then wonder: “Why me?”
My absolute favorite aspect of yoga and Ayurvedic nutrition is that I’ve never felt more aware of my mental and physiological functions. I can identify a cold 10 days out, and I know just what works for me in order to knock it out of the park.
Nutrition and yoga are not a one-size-fits-all solution. What is ideal for my genealogical makeup is certainly not going to be the same as what works best for you. So, get curious. Ask questions and try everything. Do not be so quick to believe everything you read. Empower yourself to look further, research deeper and inquire for yourself. If you are yearning for guidance and mentorship, be wary of those that claim to know more about your body than you do. The one thing I can promise: No one knows more about your body than you do.
I keep this close to my heart. Whether drinking a glass of lemon water before diving into your morning coffee, or taking an hour out of your day to do a restorative yoga practice, wellness comes in a plethora of shapes and sizes.
