My Mind Says Yoga, My Heart Says Biryani
And somewhere between these two extremes sits the modern Indian human, confused, hopeful, craving balance, and secretly bargaining with the universe like, “If I do yoga today, calories shouldn’t count. Right?”
Psychologically speaking, this tug-of-war between discipline and desire is universal but in India, it comes with spicy emotional layers. Food here is not just survival. It is celebration, comfort, culture, therapy, and sometimes… a coping mechanism for life’s chaos. So when your mind says yoga like peace, balance, self-regulation and your heart says biryani i.e. joy, comfort, sensory reward, it’s not weakness. It’s being human.
A Little Story We All Know Too Well
Neha decided she would “change her life.” She bought a new yoga mat (purple, premium), followed 12 fitness influencers, and even saved meal prep videos she had no intention of actually attempting.
Day 1: She woke up early, did breathing exercises, followed a 20-minute yoga flow, took aesthetic pictures of her smoothie bowl, and felt enlightened.
Day 2: She managed yoga but skipped the smoothie. Coffee counted as healthy… if it had cinnamon. Right?
Day 3: Office stress. Her boss was annoying, her deadlines multiplied like unpaid bills, and someone stole her lunch from the office fridge.
By evening, Neha opened Swiggy.
She didn’t order biryani. She surrendered to it, spiritually, emotionally, wholeheartedly. While eating, she felt genuine happiness. After eating, she felt guilt, like she had betrayed her inner Zen guru.
But here’s the truth: humans are wired to seek reward, especially in times of stress. Dopamine (reward), serotonin (calm), and emotional associations with food shape our decisions far more than discipline alone. So Neha isn’t flawed, she’s normal.
Why This Happens
Our brain has two influential systems:
- The emotional brain (limbic system): seeks pleasure, comfort, familiarity.
- The logical brain (prefrontal cortex): plans, reasons, evaluates long-term benefits.
When we’re tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, the limbic system wins.
Yoga represents future well-being.
Biryani represents immediate happiness.
And our brain loves instant gratification, especially after a long day navigating humans, deadlines, traffic, and life.
So How Do We Find Balance?
Not by strict rules. Not by guilt. Not by forcing perfection. But by compassionate consistency. Instead of all or nothing, try some and something.
- Some movement.
- Some nourishment.
- Some indulgence.
- Some rest.
Instead of saying, “I must do yoga every day,” try, “I will move in ways that feel good today, even if it’s just stretching or walking.” Instead of saying, “No biryani ever,”say, “I will enjoy biryani mindfully, without guilt or overdoing it.”
The goal is not becoming someone else, but becoming someone kinder to yourself.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to choose between the yoga mat and the biryani plate forever. Life is not meant to be lived as punishment or indulgence, but as balance. Some days you will glow with discipline. Some days you will glow because of ghee. Both versions of you deserve love.
Because true well-being isn’t about perfection, it’s about peace.
And if you ever struggle deciding? Just remember: Yoga strengthens the body. Biryani strengthens the soul. Together, they build character.
Written By : R. Sagarikaa, Editorial Head
Haha…😂🤣 this one really hits home 😄 “My mind says yoga, my heart says biryani” is basically my daily life. Sometimes I think I’ll start meditating and eating healthy… but then biryani calls my name loudest! It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one torn between discipline and pure food love. Thanks for putting this into words ,very much relatable and made me smile.
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