sandeyeDiet & Fasting: Classic theory 1 the basic Yogic diet
February 15th 2008 17:01
From my readings of Yoga literature, there appear to be two main pathways to follow if taking Yoga practice beyond the mat and into the region of proper diet. The first attitude is to eat natural products only, limiting secondary products and concentrating on primary. The second attitude is to eat only a pure diet and include fasting. Whereas I am heading towards the former approach, I recognize the latter as the correct way to eat. I simply am not prepared to personally drop my favored foods that do not fall within its guidelines. Additionally, I cook for my teenage son who has his own fads and favoritisms, and need to take this into account.
Taking the first attitude, the easiest method to adapt your eating habits into an acceptable Yogic form is to firstly stop purchasing anything that is artificially flavored, colored, processed, or otherwise altered. Buy only pure, natural, unprocessed foods. Secondly, reduce (then abstain if possible) eating meat, fish and alcoholic items.
I would suggest searching your local markets, health store, deli, or Asian supermarket as opposed to a general supermarket or convenience store. Growing your own vegetables and fruits ensures they are purely organic and is often cheaper than purchasing such from a store. Observing indigenous recipes based on corn, beans and rice can often provide suitable alternative meal ideas and flavoring options than remain in line with Yogic consumption guidelines. Eating more fruit and less baked goods is another step you could consider, if trying to adapt your diet to fit fully into the Yoga lifestyle.
The second Yogic attitude is based on classifying foods into the groups Sattvic (Sattva - purity), Rajasic (Raja -passion/activity) and Tamasic (Tamas - darkness/inertia). Texts and readings instruct that not only intake of food, but output of living life falls into these three categories. The things we do and foods we eat are all energies classifiable under these three headings, collectively known as the 3 Gunas.
Concerning diet, Sattvic foods include fruit and vegetables, rice, oats, legumes, nuts, seeds, barley, whole meal bread, honey, and pure dairy products. If you are able to do so, eating only these foods will offer you an entirely pure diet. For those totally serious about living the Yogic lifestyle to the maximum, these foods should be all that is consumed on a regular basis. Eating these foods lead to peace and calmness, purity of mind, and proper nutrition of body.
Rajasic foods include salt, chili, spices, herbs, caffeine drinks, chocolate, eggs, & fish. Consuming large amounts of such foods - as I personally do, I admit - leads to a restless and passionate mind, excess stimulation of body, and imbalance between the mind and body. It is also said that eating rapidly belongs to this category.
Tamasic foods include alcohol, meat, onions and garlic, overripe fruits and vegetables, vinegar, and tobacco. Eating too much food is additionally considered tamasic. The result of eating too much of such foods is a lack of energy, a tendency towards anger and greed, and inertia overpowering logical reasoning. (I admit that I personally still indulge in such foods.)
Some texts point out that the only status rising above the 3 Gunas is that of Samadhi or enlightenment. Outside of these, one is lead by the predominant group from the Gunas, which will be different for differing people. Even within the status of Samadhi/enlightenment, the other aspects, such as mind and body, will be influenced by the 3 Gunas.
This is something that I am currently exploring for my own personal benefit and in relation to my Buddhist studies rather than Yoga practice, although the two often overlap and combine. I am considering alterations in other areas of my life, in order to use Samadhi as a completion rather than an escape.
My personal problems with following a pure Yogic diet are that if I did not consume coffee, I would need to consume a larger quantity of food leading to my feeling sluggish. If I did not indulge in ample chili, salt and pepper consumption, I would be forever visiting the bathroom due to the amount of water that I consume - especially to counteract my sinus problems and living without air conditioning in heat wave conditions. Eating onions, fish and seafood products tends to make me feel healthier. I celebrate with chocolate or alcohol items, which tend to bring about a relaxing from the confusions of life and/or a party atmosphere. Alcohol additionally, if taken in limited amount, makes Samadhi easier to obtain. These are all things I am currently testing the values of because Yoga has helped me to such a degree in my physical health and emotional calmness that I want to take things further, if possible.
Taking the first attitude, the easiest method to adapt your eating habits into an acceptable Yogic form is to firstly stop purchasing anything that is artificially flavored, colored, processed, or otherwise altered. Buy only pure, natural, unprocessed foods. Secondly, reduce (then abstain if possible) eating meat, fish and alcoholic items.
I would suggest searching your local markets, health store, deli, or Asian supermarket as opposed to a general supermarket or convenience store. Growing your own vegetables and fruits ensures they are purely organic and is often cheaper than purchasing such from a store. Observing indigenous recipes based on corn, beans and rice can often provide suitable alternative meal ideas and flavoring options than remain in line with Yogic consumption guidelines. Eating more fruit and less baked goods is another step you could consider, if trying to adapt your diet to fit fully into the Yoga lifestyle.
The second Yogic attitude is based on classifying foods into the groups Sattvic (Sattva - purity), Rajasic (Raja -passion/activity) and Tamasic (Tamas - darkness/inertia). Texts and readings instruct that not only intake of food, but output of living life falls into these three categories. The things we do and foods we eat are all energies classifiable under these three headings, collectively known as the 3 Gunas.
Concerning diet, Sattvic foods include fruit and vegetables, rice, oats, legumes, nuts, seeds, barley, whole meal bread, honey, and pure dairy products. If you are able to do so, eating only these foods will offer you an entirely pure diet. For those totally serious about living the Yogic lifestyle to the maximum, these foods should be all that is consumed on a regular basis. Eating these foods lead to peace and calmness, purity of mind, and proper nutrition of body.
Rajasic foods include salt, chili, spices, herbs, caffeine drinks, chocolate, eggs, & fish. Consuming large amounts of such foods - as I personally do, I admit - leads to a restless and passionate mind, excess stimulation of body, and imbalance between the mind and body. It is also said that eating rapidly belongs to this category.
Tamasic foods include alcohol, meat, onions and garlic, overripe fruits and vegetables, vinegar, and tobacco. Eating too much food is additionally considered tamasic. The result of eating too much of such foods is a lack of energy, a tendency towards anger and greed, and inertia overpowering logical reasoning. (I admit that I personally still indulge in such foods.)
Some texts point out that the only status rising above the 3 Gunas is that of Samadhi or enlightenment. Outside of these, one is lead by the predominant group from the Gunas, which will be different for differing people. Even within the status of Samadhi/enlightenment, the other aspects, such as mind and body, will be influenced by the 3 Gunas.
This is something that I am currently exploring for my own personal benefit and in relation to my Buddhist studies rather than Yoga practice, although the two often overlap and combine. I am considering alterations in other areas of my life, in order to use Samadhi as a completion rather than an escape.
My personal problems with following a pure Yogic diet are that if I did not consume coffee, I would need to consume a larger quantity of food leading to my feeling sluggish. If I did not indulge in ample chili, salt and pepper consumption, I would be forever visiting the bathroom due to the amount of water that I consume - especially to counteract my sinus problems and living without air conditioning in heat wave conditions. Eating onions, fish and seafood products tends to make me feel healthier. I celebrate with chocolate or alcohol items, which tend to bring about a relaxing from the confusions of life and/or a party atmosphere. Alcohol additionally, if taken in limited amount, makes Samadhi easier to obtain. These are all things I am currently testing the values of because Yoga has helped me to such a degree in my physical health and emotional calmness that I want to take things further, if possible.
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