Yoga is a truly global phenomenon. Yoga has spread throughout the world, and even in traditional cultures, people are turning to yoga for physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social benefits. There are literally hundreds of different kinds of yoga. The most popular style for newcomers to yoga is generally Hatha yoga, also known as the Raja yoga.
Despite the fact that yoga is all about stretching, it’s becoming a common dieting tool. If you’re looking to shed some pounds, there’s a yoga diet for you. While you may think of yoga as more of a lifestyle than a diet, there are a few things you should look for when selecting a yoga diet.
Yoga is an ancient practice that appealed to the spiritual needs of the human community for thousands of years in India and other parts of Asia. It has evolved into a tranquil discipline that has become popular among those who seek to reduce stress, improve sleep, and strengthen the mind and body. Trying to lose weight? You may be tempted to make changes to your diet without fully understanding the consequences. In this article we will discuss some of the most common diet trends and what we can learn from them.
When it comes to what to eat, there’s a lot of buzz. It seems that being ecologically aware in our food choices is the “in” thing right now. Organic, gluten-free, macrobiotic—the list goes on! Farm-raised fish, hormone-free beef, free-range poultry, farm-to-table and vegan restaurants, organic, gluten-free, macrobiotic—the list goes on!
A vegan diet is often confused with a yogic or yoga diet by many people. But what exactly does it imply? What does a yogic diet entail?
After sifting through all the fads, a yogic diet adheres to a few basic guidelines. The following foods should be included in a yogic diet, according to my yoga teacher Swami Sivananda. Of course, after you’ve organized your yogic diet, you’ll be ready to start practicing on a regular basis. A yogic diet will be supplemented by this free 30-day yoga challenge. As you go through the challenge’s sequences, your body, mind, and spirit will feel supported.
1. A Sattvic Diet Should Be Followed by Yogis
All things in nature have three characteristics (gunas) in yogic and Ayurvedic philosophy: 1) Raja (hot, spicy, quick), 2) Tama (slow, sluggish, bland), and 3) Sattva (purity, harmony). These three characteristics are present in everything, but in varying degrees, resulting in one quality being dominant.
Foods that are Rajasic are hot, bitter, dry, salty, or spicy. They arouse the emotions and overstimulate the intellect. Meat, alcohol, cigarettes, garlic, onions, fermented meals, and overripe items are examples of tamasic foods, which are bland.
Sattvic cuisine is the cleanest and healthiest diet for any serious yoga practitioner. It feeds the body and keeps the mind at ease. As a result, the mind is calmed and purified, allowing it to operate at its best.
A Sattvic diet will eventually lead to real health: a calm mind in command of a fit body with a balanced energy flow between both.
Sattvic foods include the following:
- bread made with entire grains
- fruit and veggies that are in season
- fruit juices that are 100% pure
- milk
- cheese and butter
- legumes
- nuts
- seeds
- seeds that have sprouted
- Teas with honey and herbs
Personally, I avoid dairy milk because I object to how it is produced and am concerned about unknown hormones and chemicals. I select a milk replacement such as coconut or almond milk to replace this sattvic meal.
2. A Vegetarian Diet Is Recommended for Yogis
The lion is the ruler of the jungle because he eats a lot of flesh. No animal, however, can equal the elephant’s sheer power, despite the fact that it is a vegetarian. Yogi Bhajan is a Yogi Bhajan that is performed by Yogi Bhajan
The meat-primary eater’s objection to a vegetarian diet is a fear of protein insufficiency. Ironically, meat eaters get the lowest protein quality from their food—protein that is dead or dying.
Animal protein contains too much uric acid and other toxins for the liver to break down; some are removed, but the rest accumulate in the joints and tissues, causing arthritis and cancer.
Because it is an irritant in the circulation, uric acid is a poison that makes it more difficult to achieve a higher, clearer meditative state.
Meat is also one of the highest sources of cholesterol, which causes heart disease, artery stiffening, and senility. The digestive system takes three days to process meat. Men must digest meals in 24 hours and women in 18 hours for optimal health.
High-quality protein may be found in nuts, dairy products, leafy greens, and legumes. Their primary residue is cellulose, which is non-toxic and non-polluting. It is easily digested and is rapidly and effectively absorbed by the body.
3. Chemicals and Stimulants Should Be Avoided in a Yogic Diet
When possible, go for organic, and stay away from caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. These drugs are harmful to one’s health and change one’s thinking, making it more difficult to focus on the Divine.
4. Fresh Foods Should Be Included in a Yogic Diet
Always make a fresh dinner if at all feasible. Frozen, prepared, packed, and left-over meals should be avoided, with only the freshest and finest ingredients being consumed.
5. Yogic Diets Should Be Consumed at Regular Intervals, Two Hours Before to Asana Practice or Sleep
Your body will better use its energy throughout the day if you teach it to eat at regular intervals, such as 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., since it expects calorie intake at these times. The body has cycles, and when these cycles are regular and consistent, the body works optimally. The same may be said of our lunch times.
Food should be avoided two hours before exercise or sleep to help the body operate at its optimum. Digestion energy should not be depleted for the sake of exercise. Allowing enough time for digestion before going to bed may help keep the mind fresh.
As a result, instead of being used for digestion, the hormones generated during sleep may be effectively used to repair tissue damage and fight infection, which is perfect.
6. Set Aside Some Time to Fast
The yogis advise that you fast one day each week. A fast may be quite severe, letting no food or drink into the body. Water and fruit juices may also be included. Whatever you do, remember that the purpose of your fast is to cleanse your body and mind.
Once a week is unattainable for me. I decided to fast on Ekadashi, the 11th day of each lunar month, which is considered an auspicious day by yogis.
7. Practice Ahimsa (Nonviolence)
Ahimsa, or nonviolence, is the first of the yoga observances (yamas), and it may be applied to the food we consume. It requires conscious knowledge to make environmentally conscious health decisions that do not damage other people, animals, or the environment.
To keep hydrated, I used to purchase bottled water, believing it to be healthier than sports drinks. When I realized how much pollution I was creating by using so many water bottles, I decided to buy in a refillable glass bottle instead, which is far more ecologically friendly.
Keep in mind that apparently little adjustments in the way you eat and live may have major consequences. Keep in mind that you are gods and goddesses, and that your body is a temple! Make basic, pure, and fresh dietary selections, and apply your best judgment. Your inner yogi understands what’s best for you.
The term “yoga diet” was coined by a woman named Louise Lusardi, who is considered to be a pioneer in the field of yoga and nutrition. Lusardi created the diet as a way for her patients to lose weight after healing from back surgeries and other weight-related health issues. While the diet is most commonly used for weight loss purposes, Lusardi’s success with it was so great that she developed a yoga program that uses the diet as a way to exercise.. Read more about yogic diet pdf and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 things you need for a healthy diet?
A: 1. Water 2. Fruits and vegetables 3. Whole grains 4. Lean protein 5. Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fish 6. Low-sodium foods (like beans) 7. A variety of colors in your diet
What diet does yoga recommend?
Yoga recommends a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats.
What is a yoga meal?
A yoga meal is a meal that includes some form of protein, vegetables, and fruit.
