YOGA AND DIET

The purpose of food is to increase the duration of life, purify the mind and aid bodily strength. The modern science classifies the food on the basis of its function on body as carbohydrates, protein, fat etc… In the same way the yoga divides the food on the basis of its effect on mind as satvic, rajasik and tamasik foods. The yoga tells food and mind has direct relations; the type of food you taking same type of mind develop., one of the Upanishad( last part of Veda) says, ‘Yatha khadyatennam, tatha nigadyate manaha’, which means the type of the mind is depend on the type of food eaten. If one goes through scientifically also the food advised in yoga are very good for good health …The Yogic classification of food are as bellows :

1. Satvic Food: This type of food is very good for mind. It gives calmness and steadiness of mind. Satvic food increases the duration of life purify ones existence, gives strength, stamina, health and happiness. The food coming under Satvic category are green vegetable, milk and milk products, seeds, sprouted seeds, honey, legumes, fruit, fruit juices etc…
Yoga recommends always taking satvic food to get pure body and mind.

2. Rajasik food: This type of food stimulates the mind, Even though it may feel good while eating, but it causes the fluctuation of mind. So it will affect the yoga practise. Rajasik food also imbalances the mind body equilibrium
The food coming under this category are very hot, bitter, sour, spicy, salty or dry foods, Tea, coffee, onion, garlic, tobacco, fish, eggs are coming under this category. Eating in hurried also considered as Rajasik food.

3. Tamasik food: These types of food cause laziness and are not good for body and mind. The tamasik food leads towards the ignorance. It may be feeling good some time while consuming but, this type of food very harmful to the body. Yoga strictly opposes the tamasik foods. The foods coming under this category are meat, alcohol, tobacco, Fermented food.
Yogis recommended to take satvic foods for yoga follower, these are clearly explained in classical texts of yoga, the yoga advise the mitahara for a person, it’s explained in Hathayoga pradipika; one of the classical text of yoga as bellows

‘Susnigdha madhurahara chaturthashavivarjitaha
Bhujyate shiva samprityi mitaharaha a sa uchyate’
(Hatha yoga pradeepika-1.58)

Mitahara is defined as agreeable and sweet food, leaving one fourth of the stomach free and eaten (as an offering to please Shiva). This clearly says one should not over eat at all, Half of the stomach has to be filled with solid food, remaining one fourth one has to take water, and one should keep last one forth free.

‘Katvamlatiikshnalavanoshnasheetha shaka sauveeratailatilasarshapa madyamtsayan.
Ajadimamsaditaktrakulapinyakainguulashunadyamapathyamahuh.’
(Hatha yoga pradeepika-1.59)

The food which are prohibited (for the yoga) are : those which are bitter, sour, pungent, salty, heating, green vegetables(other than those ordained),sour gruel, oil, sesame and mustard, alcohol, fish, flesh foods, curds, buttermilk, horse gram, fruit of jujube, oil cakes, asafoetida and garlic.

Godhumashaaliyavashastikashobhana ksherajyakhandanavaneethasitamadhuni
Shuntipatolaphaladipanchashakam mudgadidivya mudakanch yamendra pathyam.
(Hatha yoga pradeepika-1.62)

The most conducive food for yogis are good grains, wheat, rice barely, milk, ghee, brown sugar, sugar candy, honey, dry ginger, patola fruit(spices of cucumber),five vegetables, mung and such pulses, and pure water.
The food advised here are provides all essential of body like carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, fat etc…It’s also advised in this shloka to take pure water, which is very essential for the body.

Pustam sumadhuram, snigdham, gavyam, dhatuposhanam
Manobhilishitam yogi bhojanamacharet.
(Hatha yoga pradeepika-1.63)

The yogi should take nourishing and sweet food mixed with ghee and milk; it should nourish the dhathus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable.

Traditionally yoga was practising for spiritual progress, but present world Yoga is practising for the health. Following the foods as mentioned in classical texts is harder in Present time. But for keeping the body and mind in well we can remember some points while eating;

• Try to take the food in time always.

• Try to reduce-meat consumption; you need not to be vegetarian. But regular taking of meat is not good for health.

• Take leafy s and green vegetables, fruits more.

• Always take small mouthfuls.

• Chew well before eats

• Talk less while eating; try to eliminate all unwanted thoughts and difficulties while eating.

• Main reason for over eating is stress and uncontrolled senses ; yoga reduces stress and helpful to control senses; If one follow the yoga with full dedication you will surely feel and understand which type of food is good for your body.

So Beginning of yoga practice take the food as usual; but try to do and follow yoga with full dedication, you will surely get control over food and no doubt you will get good health.