Filed under: Health and Nutrition
Several months ago, I did a post on this blog about yoga and vegetarianism/veganism. The question was, “Does a yogi need to be a vegetarian/vegan?” This time around, I want to address the issue of whether or not a yogi ought to abstain totally from alcohol.
Certainly, there is something odd and maybe even a little contradictory about being a yogi who drinks alcohol regularly. A yogi, after all, is supposed to be the model of someone who has achieved (or is working towards) transcendence of the senses and even the mind. Most people drink alcohol, however, to relax, to feel good, to get “a buzz”, etc. In other words, the whole purpose of alcohol seems to be to artificially induce a pleasurable physical and mental state of some sort. At least this seems to be the case with most social drinking. Of course, there are other instances where a person may drink in order to “dull the pain,” and this seems even more out of line with what we might call the yogic way.
But what about having, say, one or two beers? Is that really such a horrible thing to do as a yogi? Well, I think this is a really personal question, and one that really depends on a person’s state of mind. If addiction to the “buzz” of drinking alcohol is the main motivation behind drinking, then, of course, this seems to be out of line with yoga. Non-attachment is an important aspect of yoga, and addiction is pretty much the paradigm case of attachment.
I’ve found, however, that certain motivations for abstaining from alcohol seem not to be really genuine (in the yogic sense). For instance, in the presence of friends and associates at bars or parties, I have often refused to drink any alcohol, partially, I think, in order to make a show if it. In other words, my abstinence was partially performative. What was I performing exactly? The role of a yogi, I think. In other words, it is possible for a person to become so attached to a certain self-conception — e.g. “I am yogi” or “I am athlete” or “I am American” — that he becomes blinded by this, and, as a result, conducts all or most of his behaviors to reinforce this self-conception. In order to elevate a self-conception from mere fancy to actuality, a person may find himself constantly performing, so to speak, certain behaviors in full view of others in order to reify this self-conception.
In the end, I do think that drinking alcohol is somewhat inconsistent with the so-called yogic lifestyle. So I’m not suggesting here that we ought to forget about ourselves as yogis and run out to the bar. Rather, I want to suggest that a genuine reason for abstaining from alcohol is a lack of interest in it. A not so genunie reason is the desire to maintain a certain identity, in your own eyes and in the eyes of others. Merely playing the role of a yogi does not make one a yogi.
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and what happens when the “yogi” is an alcoholic?
http://lindasyoga.blogspot.com/2007/04/who-helps-teacher.html
who helps the teacher when the teacher needs help?
Comment by Linda-Sama May 29, 2007 @ 9:25 amI like what you say about the motivations of abstinence being genuine. If you are practicing yoga beyond asana, the hope is to get to a place where useless and distracting things fall by the wayside. I am 28, a yogini of seven years, and occasionally I find myself drinking two or three drinks and regretting it the next day because of the way it makes me feel. My thoughts on this are that I am still attached to the pseudo-freedom, that mind altering play, that external stimuli. And isn’t this why we practice? I used to abstain and be really restrictive with a lot of things in my life, trying to be a “good yogini” but a lot of it was for show. It made me feel at odds with people around me. I think that there is a certain maturity that comes with living fearlessly with your life choices and not being concerned with how others react and feel about it.
Comment by Robin May 31, 2007 @ 9:52 pmThank you for your thoughts on this topic! I really enjoy your blog and take care of that wrist!
I too like what you say about this subject. I have abstained from intoxicants for many years. My reasons happen to be aligned with other yogic principles, although I chose this path for other reasons – and this is one of the spiritual precepts that I practice. In the early days of avoiding intoxicants, I became self-conscious about this choice; and found that it drew attention to me at times. It is the same for vegetarianism, and other choices that don’t fit the societal norms or general habits. I usually did not enjoy the attention that this drew to me – with the exception being that at times I would encounter other travelers on this path and those became good connections.
Over time, I have become very comfortable with this matter. First, I have found that labeling myself as, say, an abstainer, or a vegetarian, does actually interfere with my practice. First, in the sense of staying mindful, it is best for me to make that choice mindfully each time that I encounter a situation that calls for it. Rather than standing on a firm position as ’something’, it helps me to simply make that choice right at that moment. The second change over time is that I have been able to avoid drawing attention to any of these choices by simply responding to any questions by just saying that I am not, for example, drinking alcohol, or whatever is offered, just now. That avoids the need to state that I am ‘this’ or ‘that’ label. So, what I’ve learned is that I can avoid these ego/attachment drawbacks by simply keeping it right in the moment.
My final thought on this for now has to do with longer term relationships. Of course, over time, it becomes easier on others once they do understand that these choices are made on a sustained basis. I do not expect or want others to go out of their ways to find foods and beverages that fit my pattern. I have found that here in the USA and Canada, there are always ample choices.
Thanks for an good topic.
Comment by michael December 19, 2007 @ 5:39 pmI was using Google to find exactly what I found in this blog. The reason I was looking is because I have always had a somewhat uncomfortable relationship with alcohol. Alcoholism is a feature in my family of origin so there is an inherent predisposition. I have been practicing yoga regularly for about 12 years and sporadically for considerably longer, since my late 20’s. I am in my mid-fifties now. I have been a strict vegetarian for about 10 years and lean heavily, though not exclusively, toward veganism. I do however, daily, drink alcohol. Generally a glass or two of red wine but occasionally more and occasionally stronger concoctions ( a martini while cooking,a “wee dram” of Irish Whiskey). I realize this has become a habit pattern. I have experimented with not using alcohol, sometimes for months at a time, and this has convinced me that it really is not an issue. I have addressed my concerns forthrightly with physicians and therapist, and they have indicated, with a certain degree of nonchalance, that it’s not really a problem as long as I am not “overdoing” it. Alcohol does not interfere with my personal relationships or my work life but I have these misgivings that I am overly reliant on “the buzz”. My worklife is very busy and I’ve convinced myself that this is a satisfactory way to “relax” when I can’t or don’t have the time for my yoga practice in the evening. The bottom line is that I am uncomfortable enough with my reasoning in support of my use of alcohol to self-medicate that I feel the need to take steps to address it. But it is a daunting challenge to give up something so deeply entrenched, satisfying in it’s own way, and socially “normal”. If anyone else is addressing this particular challenge in their own lives I would really like to hear from you and how you are treading the line between yogic discipline and the moderate use of alcohol. Thanks for the blog and I look forward to responses.
Comment by Kevin February 9, 2009 @ 12:42 amLike the previous commentator, I Googled this subject and was comforted to find such a good post and discussion. I’ve been writing about it all morning, as a reply to a friend and former yogin (now teaches pilates) who quit drinking 6 months ago. I too, like the previous poster, have become “uncomfortable enough with my reasoning in support of my use of alcohol to self-medicate that I feel the need to take steps to address it. But it is a daunting challenge to give up something so deeply entrenched, satisfying in it’s own way, and socially ‘normal’.” Bingo.
I have this part of my life where I teach yoga, I study the concepts, the sutras, the yamas and niyamas and I understand renunciation and see (and sometimes experience) the benefits. Then there’s the rest of my life – friends, marriage, family – where celebrations (and just plain ol’ everyday) don’t necessarily revolve around drinking certainly, but it’s pretty integral. I guess I’m at that point where I’m looking for – wondering if there is such a thing as – balance, and to be more conscious and consistent about that. I’m pretty much exclusive to wine these days. Very, very rarely will I have a beer or spirits. Part of the reason I justify having wine is that I really do enjoy it, and value it on its own merits. I’m not an expert or a wine connoisseur, but I can discriminate and know how to taste. I consider that appreciation as going hand in hand with the value and importance I place on food. On the other hand, I will also freely admit, I drink wine for its function as a social lubricant. What’s a book club dinner with a bunch of ladies without wine? I guess in sum I accept that as a yogin, at this moment I live a life, in a life, where alcohol is present. I’m not an acetic, nor I am allergic, nor do I dislike or feel simply ambivalent about what I drink. I don’t place myself or others in danger, I don’t drink to excess and I don’t drink to avoid any harsh realities or problems. Right now I choose to drink, and I feel pretty good about my choices in that regard.
But being aware – because we are on that path to self-realization – having that awareness that alcohol is an impediment to that path takes (means?) constant soul-searching and self-management. What is more daunting to me is feeling the self-imposed pressure to set a deadline, to set goals that I think will assuage the thought that I “should” be alcohol-free as a yogini. This only leads to over-identification with the ego (asmita), as noted above in the lead post. I’m coming to realize more and more that my negative self-talk will not rid me of the desire. I need to put more stock in knowing that a deeper and more consistent practice will eventually extinguish those feelings of attachment. I too have the daily glass or two of wine and this week have begun to cut that down to every other day, just to stay more mindful and attuned to my yogic self.
I’d love to hear others’ responses as well. Thanks for the blog!
Comment by Shannon May 14, 2009 @ 2:54 pmHi, it seems that google is the ring that binds us. To get straight to the point, I have been practicing yoga for 4 years. I fancy the ashtanga approach and have been working on this sequence for the past two years. Needless to say, the concepts of prana are central to all forms of yoga.
Yoga practice increases the awareness of prana and lifts this energy to new heights. In this mindset, a certain clarity is achieved.
This increased pranic awareness drew me away from meat four years ago and is now drawing me away from alcohol.
I view it via the principle of opportunity cost. The cost of a drink tonight means altered sleep and lethargy in the morning. In yoga, I wake with the sun feeling refreshed.
It is not a matter of setting deadlines and working towards them.
I personally believe that the self must be ready to evolve in a particular direction. We CANNOT force it.
There is no stone path for everyone to follow in yoga. One has to recognise and understand him/herself in order to optimise their development – be it spiritually or physically.
Comment by Jeevinesh June 30, 2009 @ 4:44 pmHaving read the 6 comments written so far, I have to say you 6 are courageous, insightful, and write beautifully. I hesitate to write at all, for fear of wasting your time, but I feel love, gratitude, and respect for each of you and wish you to know this. I am in my 50’s now and I am an ER doctor who has generally exercised 3 to 5 times a week at the gym or at my home, with several lapses in which I used overeating sweets to relieve stress, with mostly harmful results. Once I was ready, I always went back to regular exercise with great benefits. Humans self medicate in various ways, and we change to a better way when we are ready, as someone astutely noted. I have used Qigong, meditation, visualization, and exercise with great results over the years. Today I was just looking at web sites about Yoga, as I have been wondering about it,when I cam across this site. Your comments ring true and are inspiring! So I am giving up a little of my “beautiful fall sunshine time” just to comment on your comments,and to say,”Thank you!” . . . our happiness does come from within, and you all seem to me lovely human beings for sharing so eloquently and thoughtfully. Glad to have met you! You 6 are all “on track” I think!
Comment by Luana Hess September 23, 2009 @ 2:28 pm