What Is Food?
Food is one of the most important and foundational need of life. It provides the body with important nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and minerals. You need food for the development, growth, and repair of body tissues. This is a much generalized definition of food. In the context of yoga, if you eat the wrong kind of food, then you contract the qualities of that food. Food influences who are, how you behave, and also your emotions. In the yogic realm, food makes the person. So, if you just practice yoga asanas, without following food guidelines, it is not of much use. At the yoga school in Rishikesh, food is considered as one of the most important factors, which govern your yogic lifestyle
Apart from eating the right kind of food, you need to ingest the right quantity. If you eat more, you will become lethargic. On the other hand, if you eat less, then your body will not get nourishment. So, you will not be able to go about your tasks. Moreover, you need to eat food at the right time, everyday. If you maintain a routine, then the body will fall into a rhythm. There is another factor that affects the diet. It is your mental disposition, while you are cooking or eating the food.That is why, you can practice listening to soothing music or mantras, while eating.
The Three Types Of Food In Bhagavad Gita
The Three Types Of Food In Bhagavad Gita
According to the Bhagavad Gita, every human being is born with innate faith and disposition. Human beings are governed by Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. The quality of the faith governing every human being, is decided by the mind. In this context, similar personalities get attracted toward similar ones. People get drawn to foods that reflect the above qualities of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. Moreover, if you decide to make changes in your life, and want to achieve yogic goals, you must adhere to certain food guidelines.
According to the Bhagavad Gita or Ayurveda, there are three categories of food. They are:
Sattvic– These foods promote good health, proper mental disposition towards a yogic life, virtue, and wisdom. You can develop a calm mind and thought process, if you stick to such foods. Sattvic foods are also said to improve longevity and will power. Sattvic foods, as per the yoga school in India are whole grains, pulses, cereals, fruits, vegetables, herbal teas, seeds, and nuts.
Rajasic– Those who are governed by Rajas Guna, are fiery in nature, angry, ambitious, and target-oriented. Such people mainly prefer hot, pungent, and spicy food. Meats, fish, pungent vegetables, fried food, and fermented food comes under this category.
Tamasic– Those who are governed by Tamas, are dull, lethargic, suffer from laziness, and are disoriented. Such people often get attracted to foods that have the same quality. Preserved food, fermented food, canned food, liquors, and fries come under this category.
You must choose foods, whose qualities you want to imbibe. You can learn about the same in the yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
Importance Of Food In Our Daily Life
Most people today, are concerned about the taste of the food, rather than the value. You must cut down on convenience food, if you want to lead a healthy life. Healthy food is not just about eating boiled or blanched food, or eating less, or avoiding fat, altogether. Healthy eating is about eating everything in proper balance. You must eat everything in moderation. It is believed that vegetarian food is better than non-vegetarian options, as they are easy to digest. Thus, allowing you to create less pressure on the digestive system. If you ingest healthy food on a daily basis, you will feel lighter and more active.
According to the principle of yoga, which aims towards non-harming, vegetarian foods take precedence over other food groups. You can get your daily dose of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals from vegetarian foods. Food helps in growth, development, and repair of damaged tissues. However, that is not all. It also affects how you think. That is why, Sattvic food assumes a lot of importance, if you are aiming towards a yogic way of life. Plant-based foods are essentially better for yogis. That is why, most ashrams and yoga schools in India grow their own vegetables and fruits in the backyard garden. Healing herbs like Cilantro, and Parsley also has a huge role to play here.
Food and Mind
You will be able to connect with your food, at one of the most peaceful locations in Rishikesh. Hari Om Yoga Vidya School is one of the most prominent yoga schools, following food principles, apart from yoga life. Eating with mindfulness and a positive attitude results in proper absorption and utilization of the nutrients.
Always eat with gratitude. You must also abstain from eating food at certain times, so as to give the organs some time to relax. Unhealthy eating patterns often result in ailments, due to many reasons. If you eat sugary foods, it raises the blood sugar levels in the blood and causes mood swings. Additionally, if you eat too much fatty substances, then the body is unable to absorb the excess and it results in uneasiness. It eventually affects your quality of life. If you follow a healthy meal plan, you feel active and energized all day. That is the reason why, the best yoga school in Rishikesh stresses healthy food consumption. Good nutrition is also connected to your emotional well-being.
Food and Holistic Life
The main goal of food is to promote a healthy and holistic lifestyle. The food that you eat will impact the body, mind, as well as the soul. So, you have to eat fresh and seasonal food. When you eat whole fruits and vegetables, you get fresh Prana. On the other hand, stale food does not have any Prana, at all. When you eat according to your doshas, you get the necessary nutrients. Moreover, you can bring about positive changes as well. A holistic life is not just centred on asanas, meditation, and kriyas, but a lot more.
You can maintain a holistic diet and life, by eating raw, whole foods, reducing salt intake, drinking a lot of water, and by watching the portions. Additionally, be mindful of what you eat. The food will also affect the thinking style, which will ultimately affect your relationships. So, practicing the above will lead to a wholesome and easy life. Change your mind and thought process, to impact your life.
At Hari Om Yoga Vidya School, you will get to learn and practice the above, and also get to enjoy a blissful life
Pramod came from a spiritual family. He loved meditation and yoga from a young age. He spent 7 years in an Ashram, learning ancient Himalayan yoga and meditation traditions. After that, he traveled and taught yoga in many places like Mumbai, Rishikesh, New Delhi, Italy, Austria, and Germany. He believes in a peaceful and joyful world for everyone, which inspired him to create Hari Om Yoga Vidya School.
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