Secrets of Yogic Diet

Our diet has a big impact on our lives, as the saying goes, "You are what you eat”. In yogic philosophy, food is seen as essential for both the body and the mind. Eating well is crucial for feeling good physically and mentally, especially when practicing yoga. A good diet also helps in achieving peace and spiritual growth. This guide explores the food recommendations from ancient yogic texts like Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga is about balancing the body and mind. 'Yoga' comes from Sanskrit and means 'to join' or 'to unite'. It's not just about physical exercises; it's an ancient wisdom that aims to make us healthier, happier, and more peaceful inside, leading us to understand ourselves better. Yogic teachings stress that what we eat affects our yoga practice deeply, encouraging us to be mindful of our food choices.

Yogic diet

The diet in yoga is known as 'Ahara'. The Yogic diet promotes spiritual growth and is ideal for practising Yoga. The Yogic diet is more than simply an eating food; it is a comprehensive strategy that reflects yogic philosophy and promotes general well-being. Let's look at the key concepts of the yogic diet:

• Ahimsa (Nonviolence) teaches us not to harm any sentient being. As a result, the yogic diet promotes limiting or eliminating meat and dairy consumption. Choosing plant-based foods is consistent with this idea.
• Sattva (Equanimity): Sattvic foods encourage a peaceful heart and clear intellect. These include fresh veggies, nutritious grains, legumes, mild therapeutic spices, and gently sweet fruits. Prioritizing sattvic foods promotes mental clarity and emotional equilibrium.
• Saucha (Purity) promotes purity and cleanliness. Choose organic, locally grown, and unprocessed foods. Avoid chemicals and contaminants. By nourishing your body with pure foods, you support physical health and spiritual growth.

The concept of yogic diet in Shrimat Bhagavad-gita

According to Shrimat Bhagwatgita, the yogic diet is defined as follows:

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ||

A person who is disciplined in his eating, sleeping, entertainment, and work habits can alleviate all material pains by practising yoga. 

The Bhagwatgita categorizes food as Sattvik, Rajasik, or Tamasik Diet.

1. Sattvic Ahara

Sattvic Ahara is the most famous yogic diet.

आयुःसत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धनाः | रस्याः स्निग्धाः स्थिरा हृद्याः आहारा: सात्त्विकप्रिया: ||

Sattvic ahara emphasizes purity, balance, and nourishment.

Characteristics:

• Heart-healthy, fatty, and juicy foods.
• Includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and organic dairy.
• Cleanses the mind, balances intellect, and nourishes the body.
• Example Foods: Salads, cereals, honey, dairy products, mildly cooked veggies, berries, and dry fruits.

2. Rajasik Ahara

कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिनः | आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दुःखशोकामयप्रदाः ||

Rajasik ahara is stimulating and passionate.

Characteristics:

• Spicy, fried, or overly processed foods.
• Can lead to restlessness and imbalance.
• Not recommended for yoga practitioners.
• Example Foods: Chocolate, coffee, tea, alcohol, onions, and garlic.

3. Tamasik Ahara

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् | उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ||

Tamasic ahara is heavy, dull, and lethargic.

Characteristics:

• Foods cooked long before consumption, bland or rotting cuisine.
• Impure, old, and leftovers.
• Makes you feel lazy and heavy.
• Example Foods: Fish, meat, eggs, narcotics, and frequently reheated dishes.

A yogi should follow the sattvic diet and stay away from the Tamasik and Rajasik diets.

What is the relationship between the yogic diet and hatha yoga?

Hatha yoga, which stresses mindfulness, breath, posture, and meditation, has numerous mental and physical health advantages. Hatha yoga poses work all major muscle groups in the upper and lower body.

Hatha Yoga text is Hathayoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita classify yogic diet into three categories.

1. Mitahara: A reasonable and balanced diet.

2. Pathaya-ahara - A nutritious and favored diet.

3. Apathaya-ahara - A harmful and banned diet.

1. Mitahara:

Mitahara emphasizes a reasonable and balanced diet.

Guidelines:

• Pleasing and delicious food that leaves one-fourth of the stomach empty.
• Food should be fresh, flavorful, and lubricated.
• Fill half the stomach with food, one-fourth with water, and leave one-fourth empty.
• Avoid overeating.

2. Pathya-ahara (Foods to consume):

Pathya-ahara focuses on nutritious and favored foods.

Recommended foods:

• Grains (wheat, rice, barley), milk, ghee, jaggery, honey, dry ginger.
• Pulses (parval, mung, urad), pure water, and seasonal green vegetables.
• Specific spinach-like greens (Balashaka, Kalashaka, Patolapatraka, Vashtaka, Himalochika).

3. Apathya-ahara (Foods to avoid):

Apathya-ahara includes harmful and banned foods.

Avoid:

• Bitter, sour, pungent, salty, heavy vegetables.
• Oils (sesame, mustard), cured buttermilk, fish, horse gram, garlic.
• Fried food, alcohol, overripe jackfruit, and pumpkin.
• Reheated, stale, or overly salty/acidic dishes.

Conclusion

Yogic diets are designed to prevent illness and maintain health during yogic practices. Yogic diets typically consist of vegetarian foods. Sedentary individuals can benefit greatly from including a yogic diet in their regular practice. Yogic teachings recommend taking dietary precautions before engaging in certain practices. The yogic diet focuses on mitahara and sattavik ahara. The consumption of food for yoga sadhaks depends on three factors.

1. Food quality: It should be Sattvik.

2. Eat enough to fill half of your stomach. Fill one-fourth with water, leaving one-fourth empty for air.

3. Maintain a calm and tranquil mind at mealtime.

Yogic teachings recommend taking dietary care before conducting specific techniques.

FAQs

1. Which according to yoga should be the biggest meal of the day?

Yogic views hold that lunch is the most significant meal of the day. Around noon, our digestive fire (agni) reaches its peak. This means that our bodies can properly process and absorb nutrients from food. A full lunch helps to maintain this natural rhythm. We avoid overloading our system before bedtime by eating lunch as our primary meal.

2. What is the sattvic diet?

A sattvic diet is a plant-based, vegetarian diet that provides balance to the body and quiet the mind. Sattvic foods are light, fresh, and easy to digest. They foster clarity, vigor, and inner serenity.