YOGIC AHARA - YOGIC DIET : "Eat to live, not live to eat". The purpose of eating is to supply our being with the lifeforce, or Prana, the vital life energy. So the greatest nutritional plan for the aspirant is the simple diet of natural fresh seasonal foods.

In the yoga tradition, there are 3 gunas, or qualities associated with food. These are considered 3 forces that are the building blocks of nature. The gunas all exist together in equilibrium. Our task is to attempt to maintain balance. The 3 gunas are sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Sattvic foods are the purest and help the body maintain a sense of balance and peacefulness. These foods are filled with energy. These are cereals, wholegrain breads, fresh fruit and vegetables, pure fruit juices, milk, butter & cheese, legumes, nuts, sprouted seeds, honey & herb teas. Rajasic foods are those that overstimulate the body, excite the passions and leave the mind feeling restless. These foods are hot, sour, bitter, dry, such as sharp spices & strong herbs, coffee & tea, fish, eggs, salt & chocolate. Tamasic foods are not beneficial for us, in either body or mind. They tend to deplete us, allowing inertia to settle in, or even change our disposition. These foods have little energy to give us. They include meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions, garlic, fermented foods like vinegar and food that is overly ripe, even mushrooms, or stale.

In my years of association with Yoga, I have not been able to come to the perfect combination of what a perfect Yogic diet is. What, though, is clear is that moderation and freshness of what one consumes is most important.

The essense of a Perfect Diet is that it makes you feel lighter and more energetic, is low in cholesterol and saturated fat and is in harmony with the concept of nonviolence toward all living creatures and above all Moderation is the key... When we overeat, even the most Saatvik food is considered Rajasic.

For Expert Guidance and further details contact Aashish Nanda at nanda_aashish@yahoo.com or +919810288020 (New Delhi).