A few weeks ago, as I was moving through my morning routine of journaling and spiritual centering, I looked down and my coffee mug was empty. Some of you know how much I love my sunrise cup of joe, but that day I had sipped without fully savoring the brew. I was crestfallen!

Even though I was doing something good for myself by connecting with my heart and grounding for the day, I had completely missed my favorite part of the ritual. I decided in that moment that moving forward, coffee drinking would be a fully sensual experience, ecstasy for my taste buds if you will, and when I sipped I would do so without distraction. No writing, no reading, no texting. Just my lips and tongue greeting the warm, frothy goodness of those magic beans. Period.

This week’s sensory exploration is an invitation to focus on taste. And, because digestion begins in the mouth, how would it be to chew more thoroughly and let the tastes of food and beverage linger in our mouths to kick-start healthier break-down and assimilation of nutrients?

Here‘s a mindful eating exercise you can try. You might realize just how much you’ve been neglecting to taste with mindless, speed-eating and slurping!

• Select one bite of a food you really enjoy. It could be a square of chocolate or a slice of fruit.
• Sit quietly and turn off any auditory distractions.
• Now, place that nibble of food in your mouth and close your eyes. Let it sit on your tongue. What do you notice? Can you detect textures? A rich flavor profile?
• Chew slowly. As you experience this food in your mouth, is it truly a pleasure to eat or is it just ho-hum? Where do you feel that pleasure or discontent in your body?

If you, like me, have tendencies to eat or drink recklessly, to eat past the point of fullness, or to eat when you’re not hungry, give this mindful eating practice a try. For those with digestive issues, see if slow, attentive eating helps your gastrointestinal tract work more effectively. Maybe you'll have less gas and bloating, fewer cases of heartburn, and smoother elimination.

Let me know what you observe as you attune to your sense of taste! Whether it's a crisp piece of toast slathered with good butter or a gourmet meal, share with me how slowing down and tasting your food and drink impacts your sensory pleasure.

Love,

Jennifer

Did you know that yoga can be a deeply sensual experience? I'd love to have you in class! My spring yoga schedule is as follows: Wednesday @ 1 pm, Thursday @ 6:45 am, and Saturday @ 10 am ET. Sign up for classes (or 1:1 yoga sessions) on my website. Can't make class? My store has a class available for purchase!

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