Yoga and Nutrition for Holistic health

Every living entity is searching for happiness always. The source of happiness is within as realized by sages and directly experienced by everyone in deep sleep where one is happy even without one’s body consciousness. To realize this unbelievable source within, different practitioners adopted different yoga techniques. Yoga is a process of re-union with the source of all happiness. One of the different yoga techniques is Ashtaanga yoga or yoga with 8 limbs/steps. The third and fourth major steps in this yoga process are yoga asanas and pranayama.

Yoga asanas are body postures. Steady practice of asanas develops agility, balance, endurance and great vitality. It is a state of complete equilibrium of body, mind and spirit.

Channeling/control of breath to calm the mind which in turn helps in keeping healthy body is pranayama. Pranayama is the science of breath.

Mind is formed by a subtle portion of food itself and grows according to one’s desires. Pure mind is the one which would lead to healthy body, mind and intellect and a very happy life since the consciousness within is always pure. Thus the intake of type of food plays a very important role in yoga.

Yoga classifies food in to 3 categories, similar to the classification of human beings into predominantly, Tamasik, Rajasik, and Sattvic

Sattvic food or food in the mode of goodness purifies mind, Rajasic food or food in the mode of passion gives rise to passionate thoughts/desires and takes one away from contentment. Tamasic food or food in the mode of ignorance gives rise to laziness, slumber, inactiveness, intoxication, etc. Examples of sattvic food are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, milk etc. Examples of rajasic foods are too-spicy and strong tasting foods which over-stimulate the nervous system. Tamasic foods are putrefied and decayed foods namely alcohol, meat, eggs. Sattvic food is the best food for yoga and overall happiness.

The basic principle of nutrition, from the yoga perspective, is to eat small quantities of high quality foods. The high quality foods are those which promote the life force of the body without producing toxins. The recommended foods are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. The foods such as meat, alcohol, too spicy and too salty foods lower the energy level in the body.

In essence, practicing hatha yoga, pranayama, eating sattvic food, good relaxation and right thinking are the key guidelines for holistic health