We must start with the basics, the essentials for our survival if we wish to achieve anything in yoga. Diet and food are among these.
There is an instinct within all of us to follow a clean and healthy eating lifestyle. Although this may be true, at times we chose to ignore the body and mind. Eventually, regular practice of yoga and a yoga diet will change our habits for the better and is a process of being ordinary
To begin with, the main purpose of food is to give energy to the body and mind, increase the resistance power of the body, and develop the mind. Fresh food gives lightness, happiness, joyfulness, and increases intelligence. Certainly, the food you put into your body should be suitable for the mind, body, intelligence, and soul.
Vegan Practice
There are no special dietary rules for people actively engaged in the asana yoga practice. In short, yoga advises a vegetarian diet, particularly as it is preparation for the higher forms of yoga. Indeed, Vegetarianism has been found to promote inner calmness and peace between the body and mind, whereas eating meat has been linked with inner tension, anger, friction, and an increase in desires. To sum up, Vegetarianism is the basis of a pure wholesome diet, but it’s not a requirement.
A yogic diet ideally follows a pure food diet. Notably, a balance of fresh fruit, vegetables, cooked whole grains, milk, legumes, nuts, and seeds, using a combination of both raw and cooked foods. These foods increase wholesomeness, and virtue in the body because they are light, simple, and supply all the necessary nutrients. Moreover, they increase our physical and mental vitality making it easier to experience clarity, lightness, and peace of mind. This is the yoga diet.
Stale processed and frozen foods have lost their pranic energy. If we try to eat only healthy foods as much as possible, we can slowly change the body chemistry. As a result, we can renew the digestive system and take away any strain. Ideally, we should eat foods that take minimum energy to digest, so that the remaining energy can be used for more productive uses.
When eating it is important to fill the stomach half full of food. As an illustration, a quarter of your stomach should be left for water or liquids. With this in mind, the last quarter of your stomach should be left empty for digestion to take place. This space is necessary for the stomach to churn the food with the digestive juices.
Moderation Eating
If you practice eating only to satisfy hunger, you can actually help eliminate any feelings of heaviness or laziness. Eating this way is the yoga diet way. It is said that you should eat only what is needed. To find out how much you need to eat, do a quick experiment. Eat until you have a feeling of fullness, and keep track of how much you ate. Next, eat half that amount of food, this will be your requirement. There should be enough space in the stomach in the event that if somebody asked you to eat a meal with them after you had already finished your meal, you could do it without any ill effects.
The timing of meals should be fixed. In this way, the body begins to release digestive secretions at a certain time. It is important not to skip meals so that the body does not keep going into panic mode and decide to store excess fat. Change the diet according to the seasons. Do not eat imported foods. Not only that but also always try to eat what is local and fresh. Equally important, do not eat when negative, angry, or depressed. In the first place, how you are thinking affects your digestion. As a matter of fact, you should only eat when you are happy and peaceful. Moreover, when you eat focus, feel, and appreciate every mouthful. Eat slowly and be thankful for the food that has been given to you. In the final analysis, eat to live, and do not live to eat.
Best Yogic Ingredients for Clean Eating
These three potent roots, known as the Trinity Roots, are essential for cleansing, sustaining, and producing energy in the body.
Garlic
- Fights viruses and bacteria.
- Increases sexual energy that, with the practice of Kundalini Yoga, can be channeled upward for greater spiritual awareness.
- Eat raw, baked, steamed, or in capsule form.
Onion
- Universal healing food.
- Purifies and builds new blood.
- Recommended for colds, fever, laryngitis, and diarrhea.
- Increases mental clarity.
- Eat raw (preferred), juiced, or cooked.
Ginger Root
- Soothes and strengthens nerves by nourishing spinal fluid.
- Increases energy and vitality.
- Useful for menstruating women.
- Drink as a tea or juice or use it as a spice in main dishes.
Turmeric
- Good for the skin and mucous membranes.
- Good for female reproductive organs.
- Increases bone and joint flexibility, anti-inflammatory.
- Sauté for curries, casseroles, soups, gravies, and sauces.
Yogi Tea
- Black pepper purifies the blood.
- Cinnamon strengthens the bones.
- Cardamom supports the colon.
- Cloves build the nervous system.
- Ginger, with all its benefits, is an optional addition.
- Black tea (a tiny amount) holds it all together.
- Milk protects the colon.
