Food & A Way of Life
"Yoga believes that what you eat affects your health & state of mind!"
Yoga is in fact a complete way of life. It has practical aspects which can be applied to your daily life. It also teaches you what is food and nutrition and what is the right kind of food.
What is Food & Nutrition
Food is something we eat, and which is utilized by our body. The process by which the body utilizes food is called nutrition. These nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Our body requires these nutrients in adequate amounts to promote good health depending on many conditions such as activity, climate, daily stresses of living, and disease.
The Right Kind of Food
The right kind of food is the most important single factor in the promotion of health and the wrong kind of food is the most important single factor in the promotion of disease. It is said that 'as you eat, so you become.'
According to Yoga, a vegetarian diet keeps the mind and body pure. It gives you energy and keeps you healthy. Vegetarian diet is easier to digest and it is nutritious. It includes fresh and dried fruit, fresh fruit juices, fresh seasonal vegetables, whole grain cereals, whole wheat bread, unpolished rice, pulses, nuts and seeds, honey, dates, jaggery and dairy products like milk, curd, and buttermilk.
This is called Sattvic food — the food of the Yogi. It nourishes the body, promotes overall health, calms and purifies the mind, and increases age, intellect, energy, health and happiness.
The Yoga Recipe
Drink tons of water of normal temperature only.
Drink water before half an hour or after half an hour of eating.
Buttermilk and vegetable soups are foods and can be taken with meals.
Use the water in which vegetables have been boiled for soups or gravies, as it contains vital nutrients.
Drink fresh juices before they lose their nutritive value.
Preserve the nutritional value of vegetables by steaming or stir frying them.
Never hurry through a meal. Chew your food properly so that it gets digested easily.
Never consume stale food. Never eat more than 80% of your capacity at any time.
Form the habit of visiting the toilet at an appointed hour in the morning and the evening.
Reduce stress and be cheerful.
Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Walking, Yogic Kriyas are very useful.
The Shatkarmas
Yoga believes that body is temple and only a clean mind and body can prevent illness and keep a pure and serene soul. Shatkarmas are the Yogic practices for internal cleansing and purification of the body — 'Shat' meaning six and 'Karma' meaning action.
Neti
Nasal Cleansing
Dhauti
Cleansing of the Digestive Tract
Basti
Colon Cleansing
Kapalabhati
Lungs Cleansing and Respiratory System
Nauli / Agnisaar
Abdominal Massage
Trataka
Fixed Gazing Without Blinking
There is one more strong purification technique called Shankha Prakshalana or Varisara Dhauti Kriya as it cleans the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.
Precautions for Shatkarma
Practice weekly or monthly depending on how well your internal organ system works.
Ensure all equipment (neti pot, water, rubber thread, cotton cloth) are clean and sterile.
During pregnancy, avoid Shatkriya. If needed, perform only Jalneti and Trataka.
Lighten your diet before practice to avoid overworking your organ system.
Do not hurry. Keep calm while practicing.
It is advised to do these Kriyas under the guidance of a competent master for risk-free practice.