The nutritional principles of the first woman yogi. How to live over 100 years

Basics of nutrition according to the yoga system

There are three types of foods in the yogi nutrition system. According to Ayurvedic practice, yoga and nutrition are inextricably linked. The secrets of yogis from ancient times have reached our time. To this day, those people who adhere to the practice allow themselves to eat in a special way. Their mode of life is very different from that of an ordinary person.

Three types of food:

• clean food, which includes fresh vegetarian food, including legumes, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and other types of plant products;
• foods that excite the body, which include coffee, tea, seafood, egg products and some others, which you should try to avoid;
• heavy and unfavorable foods, which include meat products, frozen foods, and alcoholic products, which pollute the body and cause potential harm to it.

Typically, the transition to this type of yoga nutrition occurs gradually. People who have not previously followed the Ayurvedic diet of yoga should try to adhere to the right food according to yogis, but do it slowly. The human body is designed in such a way that it can begin to reject certain foods only because it is not used to them. Therefore, in order for this type of nutrition to be beneficial for a person, he strictly needs to monitor his reactions to the food he eats.

In yoga, every dish should be prepared with good wishes. There is a concept of connection between a dish and the energy that fills it. In practice, very great importance is attached to this concept, because the energy that we use in any available way fills our body with a positive or negative quality.

Yogis try to fill everything that surrounds them with favorable energy. This also applies to eating. So, they say that energy can be obtained not only from food, but also from the reality around them. Energy is everywhere, the main thing is to use it correctly and be able to filter the bad and the good. During the practice of yoga and meditation, a person frees and harmonizes the work of his chakras, as a result of which the work of many internal organs and processes in general improves and his well-being improves.

Yoga: principles of nutrition before classes

If you need to snack before practice, keep the following points in mind:

• In general, you need to eat in advance. For example, the human body digests food within several hours, but you can’t exercise with a full stomach, because... this can lead to adverse health consequences. Of course, the time required to digest food will depend on its density, heaviness, etc.
• It is not recommended to eat anything heavy shortly before yoga class. Choose light foods so they can be digested quickly.
• Eat small amounts before exercise to speed up digestion.
• Don't eat anything with a lot of sugar. The same applies to fast food products, as well as those with a lot of spices. Avoid carbonated drinks.
• It is best to eat at least 2 hours before your yoga class. If this is not possible, eat something light an hour before.
• Avoid acidic foods because... this can lead to heartburn (this also includes orange juice and coffee, based on their effect on the body).
• Do not drink too much water (by the way, this recommendation is also found in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, one of the classical texts), as this can lead to nausea and stomach discomfort. You can simply drink some water to keep your body hydrated.
• If you have a morning class, no parties the night before. Alcohol dehydrates the body and drives the consciousness into low vibrational levels, which is why your practice, at best, will turn into some kind of esoteric gymnastics.

What do you eat before yoga?

1. Avocado

An excellent fruit that is high in potassium and magnesium, which will keep your muscles and cells functioning optimally.

Avocado is also easy to digest, while creating a feeling of fullness. The healthy fats it contains will help reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

2. Bananas

They are rich in nutrients, in particular potassium and magnesium, and are ideal as a “pre-workout” food. They will help prevent bloating and muscle cramps.

3. Fruit smoothies

They not only saturate the body with essential nutrients, but also provide it with moisture. Smoothies are tasty and healthy; they can be made from pineapple, apple, orange, melon, kiwi, etc.

It is best to use low-fat yogurt for smoothies and avoid adding sugar. Let there be only the natural sweetness of the fruit.

4. Apples

These are alkaline fruits that lower the acidity level in the stomach. They also contain natural sugars and a lot of fiber, plus they provide the body with moisture. Vitamin C in apples increases energy levels, which is very beneficial for workouts.

However, be careful if you have a dominant Vata dosha - apples increase this dosha, which can manifest itself in gas in the stomach. Especially do not eat apples after you have eaten something boiled, fried or baked.

5. Yogurt

Also a great option. It can be used as a separate dish, or you can make the same smoothies or even add oatmeal to it.

Use low-fat, sugar-free yogurt.

6. Almonds

You can simply eat some nuts before yoga. Again, if you are a Vata type, it is better to soak the almonds in water before eating - this will make them easier to digest.

But don't eat salty or sweet nuts that you can buy in colored bags at the store - these are not a good option. All you need is a pure nut - it's rich in vitamin E, magnesium and healthy fats.

7. Raisins

A great snack option before yoga class. Raisins have a great taste, contain natural sugars and will give you energy.

You can simply eat it raw or soaked before practice.

8. Dried fruit and nut bars

It is important to remember here that Vata type people need to soak dried fruits. And the bars should not contain more than 300 calories.

9. Berries

They are rich in vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. Natural sugar will give you energy.

10. Oatmeal

They are easily digestible, leave you feeling full and fill you with energy. They contain a lot of useful substances and fiber. Just don't eat too much.

Which products are suitable

For yogis, food that is not obtained by force is suitable for nutrition. For example, they do not eat meat products. Some do not even allow themselves to eat dairy products and eggs. However, most yogis still adhere to lacto-vegetarianism and allow themselves to eat them.

People who practice yoga for a long time begin to adhere to proper Ayurvedic nutrition automatically over time. This comes because yoga is not only a set of special asanas, but also a whole way of life, a worldview system.

Yogis eat 60% plant foods and 40% processed foods. That is, they mainly consume foods that have not been boiled, fried or stewed. These are clean fresh vegetables and fruits, grains and beans.

According to the Ayurvedic system, food should be chewed about 40 times. Nutrition according to the yoga system is correlated with Prana energy, which is vital for every person. Therefore, it is extremely important to thank the Universe for the food given to a person.

Is it possible to cleanse the body using baking soda?

Using baking soda on your own, especially internally, is not only useless, but also dangerous to health.

To feel lightness, peace and unity with nature, you need to eat right. However, many believe that soda can be used to quickly cleanse the physical component and mental structures. It is not eaten, unlike food. However, the prepared solutions “help” rejuvenate the body from the inside, washing away blackness and dirt of various origins, like plaque from kitchen utensils. At the same time, there are even widespread methods for how long after training it should be used.

Having an alkaline environment, soda can only be used as solutions for rinsing the mouth or in gastroenterology. Light solutions of soda have a beneficial effect on the body with confirmed increased acidity of the stomach or a tendency to gastritis. Due to its alkaline nature, it is used strictly in a hospital setting to restore the normal acid-base balance of the blood.

It is worth noting that baking soda should be used very carefully and only on the recommendation of doctors. Even for the purpose of rinsing, it is not a panacea. It has been proven that herbal remedies are much more effective. And soda only makes the mucous membrane loose, stimulating the penetration of pathogenic microflora into its deep structures.

This is why soda should not be taken for “cleansing” after or before any asanas. It is much better to normalize your sleep-wake schedule, provide your body with regular exercise, master stress-resistance techniques, and eat nutritious foods. This is how you will safely and effectively cleanse your body. Using soda on your own, especially internally, is not only useless, but also dangerous to your health.

Harmful and healthy foods

In yoga practice there is a concept of acceptable and unacceptable food. There is a special classification by which they determine whether a particular dish can be eaten. Most yogis adhere to lacto-vegetarianism, stipulating that it benefits the body and does not harm the environment.

They do not recommend eating the following foods:

• any meat and other animal protein;
• yeast bread and baked goods, as they contain thermophilic microorganisms;
• preservatives;
• sweeteners and flavor enhancers;
• various nervous system stimulants, such as coffee and strong tea;
• alcoholic drinks and other poisons.

They include useful products:

• fruits and vegetables;
• cereals and legumes;
• nuts, seeds;
• grain crops;
• honey and other natural sweets.

Some teas are allowed for consumption and are beneficial. For example, tea made from ginger or containing other beneficial additives has great benefits for the human body. It removes waste and toxins and cleanses internal energy and mind from bad thoughts.

Nutrition for yoga should be balanced and consumed in portions. It is important to drink plenty of water and other available and approved liquids. You should thank a higher power for food.

When a person eats food of animal origin, he provides himself with negative energy, which is unacceptable in Ayurveda. Therefore, it is important for yogis that the food is healthy and predominantly plant-based, preferably without heat treatment.

Permitted and prohibited products

The diet is based on the following products:

• unprocessed cereals;
• fresh fruits, vegetables, berries;
• greenery;
• nuts;
• honey;
• milk.

Prohibited foods include those that, according to yogis, destroy prana:

• meat, fish of any kind;
• eggs;
• raw onions, garlic;
• Tea coffee;
• reheated food;
• fried foods;
• sugar;
• baking with yeast.

Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited.

Mandatory dishes in a yogi's diet

A yoga diet necessarily contains fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as legumes and cereals. They eat a balanced diet, adhering to the rule of not rushing and eating in small portions, every two to three hours.

The diet is quite specific, but it is not difficult to follow, since a person receives all the substances necessary for health.

Yogis must drink plenty of water, about 10 glasses a day. It is also necessary to eat fresh, unheated fruits and vegetables.

Taboo for a yogi

Since yoga classes are based on contemplation of the inner world, a high concentration of consciousness is required. Because of this, you should avoid tonic drinks such as coffee, alcohol and cocktails. It is advisable to switch to green tea.

On training days, it is advisable to skip the consumption of garlic and onions. This is due to their properties to excite the central nervous system. It is worth excluding spices from the diet, leaving only ginger, which can be added everywhere.

Dietary regimen for a practicing yogi

Yogis say that food should bring not only joy and pleasure, but also bring undoubted benefit to a person and the world around him. Thus, the diet they follow is aimed at maintaining optimal human well-being.

All food is divided into several categories. There are conditionally permitted products, and there are also those that cannot be taken at all if you adhere to Ayurvedic rules.

Tibetan monks, for example, eat at intervals of about an hour, consuming small portions. Their meals are small and balanced.

When doing morning yoga or meditation practices, they allow themselves to have a fruit for breakfast and drink a glass of water.

There are days when a yogi cannot have breakfast or dinner. For example, when he needs to perform a body cleansing technique.

Nutrition for yoga: list of products

Let's move on to the main question: what do yogis eat and what are the benefits of Ayurvedic nutrition? To begin with, all food should be joyful and satisfying. Naturally, each product carries its own load, and you need to know how to organically combine them.

The list of useful products includes:

• Unprocessed whole grain cereals;
• Sprouted wheat;
• Legumes;
• Vegetables, preferably raw;
• Seasonal fruits, not treated with chemicals;

• Milk and fermented milk products, unsalted cheese and cottage cheese, ghee;
• Melons;
• Dried fruits and honey.

Products rich in vegetable protein can easily replace meat in terms of energy content and satiety. Sometimes you are allowed to eat eggs, fish and white meat if your body persistently requires these foods. Ayurveda recommends avoiding mushrooms, as they, like a sponge, absorb negative information and pollution from the environment.

Eat vegetables raw whenever possible. If heat treatment is required, do not overcook them, or better yet, bake them in the oven. It is important that the body easily copes with digestion without discomfort. When choosing fruits, give preference to local varieties. As practice shows, domestic fruits contain several times less pesticides and chemicals, which impart a marketable appearance and improve transportability to overseas “delicacies”. Before consumption, fruits should be thoroughly washed to remove contamination and possible surface treatment with chemicals.

Be sure to drink clean water and herbal teas between meals.

Food classification

Eating according to the yoga system is quite easy, because their nutrition is balanced and filled with nutrients. There is a classification of food according to the system:

• sattva, those foods that are allowed to be taken;
• rajas is food that is not beneficial and should therefore be avoided;
• Tamas are those foods that are harmful to the body.

Tamas is unhealthy food. This includes meat, animal protein, baked goods with yeast, mushrooms, canned foods and alcohol.

Yogis do not consume such foods in their diet. But sometimes they allow themselves to take foods from the Rajas category, since they are relatively safe for humans.

Since meat is obtained by force, it spoils a person’s vital energy, which is extremely important in the yogis’ worldview. Therefore, their nutrition is not aimed at destruction, but at improving the life of any living organisms.

Lactovegetarianism

Some believe that real yogis adhere to complete vegetarianism, or veganism. In fact, most of them adhere to lacto-vegetarianism, allowing themselves to eat dairy products on certain days of the week and always thanking a higher power for the products.

Lactovegetarianism is followed by most adherents of Buddhism and Hinduism. The diet is preached by supporters of non-violent products, that is, those that are obtained in a non-violent way, without the destruction of living beings.

These products include eggs, dairy products and other types of food. In India, most yogis believe that milk is very valuable and beneficial for the human body, and besides, they consider the cow a sacred animal, so they try to surround it with care and love.

Thanks to lacto-vegetarianism, a person can be sure that he is providing himself with valuable minerals and trace elements, since they are found in large quantities in dairy products.

The benefits of proper nutrition

Proper nutrition ennobles the human body. It can eliminate many existing problems and prevent the emergence of others. Some people believe that by nature humans are herbivores and that eating meat products is not typical for us. Therefore, proper yogic nutrition gives a person vital energy and provides all the necessary vitamins and microelements if it is balanced.

A balanced diet has a beneficial effect on health, as it saturates the body with all the necessary microelements and vitamins. By eating properly, a person receives all the valuable substances, but there is a point of view that people who adhere to a vegetarian diet have some difficulty absorbing microelements and some vitamins. For example, they often have a deficiency of vitamin B 12, as well as zinc, calcium and potassium.

These substances are found in large quantities in baked goods made with yeast, as well as in meat products. This is why it is important for vegetarians to replenish the deficiency of these substances so that the body does not need them and does not feel the loss.

Yogi Breakfast

The ideal breakfast for a yogi is considered to be grapes, banana or other fruit, as well as a glass of clean water. Typically, yogis have breakfast before practice, an hour or two before it. After you have completed your practice or meditation, after a while you can consume carbohydrates, for example, eat some porridge and wash it down with tea.

According to the Ayurveda system, there are products that excite and awaken, and there are those that, on the contrary, soothe. There is also an opinion that food can have a certain effect on internal organs. For example, corn improves vision, broccoli has a beneficial effect on lung health, and blueberries affect skin condition. Therefore, if a person has certain health problems, in the morning hours you can allow yourself to enjoy exactly the dish that contains the necessary components to improve his health.

Why is whole grain better?

In the modern world, many people eat breakfast on the go - instant cereals and cereals. But such products only give a feeling of fullness in the stomach and contain almost nothing useful.

If you eat oatmeal for breakfast, then give preference to long-cooked porridge (20-30 minutes).

If you don't like oatmeal, try eating buckwheat for breakfast. Buckwheat contains a lot of protein and iron, so it will fill you up for several hours.

For a change, be sure to try quinoa, which contains all the essential amino acids and is second only to mother’s milk in terms of absorption.

Research confirms that frequent consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of a number of diseases, such as cancer, obesity, and various heart diseases.

Whole grain consumers are more physically active, tend to smoke less, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber.

Some studies also show that grind structure affects insulin levels. Finely milled wheat flour causes a stronger insulin spike than coarse flour.

Whole grain products are also useful in the process of losing weight. According to observations, their abundant presence in the diet has a positive effect on weight retention.

Recommendations for those who eat fruit for breakfast

• Fruits are an independent meal, so it is better to eat them separately from other foods (but, for example, sprouts and greens are ok).
• Fruits should be eaten 30-40 minutes before meals or 1-2 hours after.
• Do not drink fruit with tea, coffee or other drinks.
• Eat fruits in the morning.
• Serving size – 250-300 ml (1 glass).
• Do not mix fruits with dairy products.
• Don't mix sour and sweet fruits.
• It is advisable to eat one type of fruit at a time.

Food in winter

In winter, it is best to eat warmer or hotter foods. For example, yogis love a variety of dishes, steamed or stewed. It is good to eat a variety of vegetables combined with herbs and spices. Also in winter it will be useful to enrich the body with warm or hot tea.

There is a recipe for tea for yogis. It is believed that it clears the mind of bad thoughts, improves energy circulation and removes toxins from the body. The recipe is simple. You need to take three liters of boiled water, add a few pieces of fresh ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and boil this mixture for half an hour. After this, you should infuse the drink for about 15 minutes. Subsequently, you need to strain it and you can take it.

Yogis often drink this tea in the winter season. It warms the body well and saturates it with useful microelements, thereby strengthening the immune system.

Food and yoga teachings

The teachings of yoga teach us how to eat properly, according to which the world’s creation is subject to three basic qualities: passion, darkness and grace. Constantly consumed food should carry precisely grace, which determines our level of happiness, contentment and humility. After “ignorant” food, it is more difficult to cleanse the body, and we remain depressed and sick. Such food is invariably of poor quality. It may be poorly prepared or simply stale. Its companions are considered to be artificial additives and ingredients foreign to the body. This is the kind of food that is not recommended to eat if you want to be happy spiritually and physically.

Advantages and disadvantages contraindications

There are a number of contraindications in which it is undesirable to adhere to a vegetarian diet. Among them, experts note:

• pregnancy and lactation, if you have not previously followed such a diet;
• children's age at least up to three years;
• some acute and chronic diseases.

Research conducted in America has shown that eating plant foods and avoiding animal products reduces the chances of cancer in the intestines and stomach.

There is also a theory that vegetarians are less likely to develop diabetes and asthma. The condition of the skin and hair of people who eat a mostly plant-based diet is much better than that of people who do not follow a vegetarian diet.

Since plant foods contain little fat and many healthy carbohydrates, people who eat according to this principle almost never experience obesity or disorders of the thyroid gland.

There is a version that almost all vegetarians suffer from a lack of vitamin B 12, which is found in large quantities in meat foods. Therefore, such people need to eat foods that could compensate for this vitamin.

Forbidden food

The principles of nutrition according to the philosophy of yoga imply eating foods that are “clean” from an energy point of view. This means that every piece eaten should benefit the body. Based on this, the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

1. Meat, especially red varieties. It is believed that the meat is initially filled with negativity, as it was taken from a killed animal. Also, meat fibers take a long time and are not completely digested; the remains cause putrefactive processes in the intestines and poison the body with toxins. If completely giving up meat is unacceptable to you, eat fish and poultry as an alternative.
2. Baking with yeast. Such products are poorly digestible: yeast microorganisms suppress normal intestinal flora, cause increased gas formation, heaviness in the abdomen and stool disorders. Decaying undigested food residues in the intestines lead to general intoxication and sluggish health.
3. Sweets, confectionery. Synthesized sugar and all sweet gastronomic delights are solid carbohydrates that are instantly absorbed into the blood. The high calorie content contributes to excess weight gain; these carbohydrates are difficult to burn even with heavy physical activity. Sweets only clog the body without having any beneficial properties.
4. Fried, fatty foods that take a long time and are difficult to digest. The process of frying in oil “rewards” food with carcinogens and additional calories. The notorious appetizing crust is especially dangerous. Excess fat is also converted into cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and causes a number of serious diseases.
5. Salty and spicy dishes. Salt and spices are not prohibited in Ayurveda, but they should be used rationally and in small quantities. And although you can add a pinch of spices and salt to a salad or soup, then you cannot eat all winter preparations or vegetables in Korean.
6. Alcohol. An absolute poison for the body, it is completely prohibited in the diet of yogis.
7. Ready semi-finished products.
8. Coffee, which is considered a strong stimulant.
9. Products with preservatives, dyes and other synthetic “chemicals”: ​​ketchup, mayonnaise, canned food, chips, sausage, etc. All products in this series inhibit the gastrointestinal tract, slow down metabolism, and lead to obesity and diseases of internal organs. If you want to diversify your menu, there are many recipes for natural sauces and appetizers.

All food that has been frozen is undesirable for consumption. Positive energy is carried only by high-quality fresh products without signs of rotting or spoilage. It is not advisable to heat food; the use of a microwave oven is absolutely prohibited. And, of course, don’t try to force yourself to eat foods that you clearly don’t like: look for an alternative or combine them with other ingredients so that the consumption process brings pleasure.

Be sure to read: How to lose weight in your calves and achieve lasting results?

Rules for creating a diet for 7 days

Yogis adhere to a special type of nutrition and pay great attention to the quality of the food they eat. It should be as clean, fresh and prepared with good wishes as possible. The thoughts that we put into food when preparing it will certainly affect our health.

Every day, yogis eat a large amount of vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains and other plant foods, which must be balanced in a certain way so as to be beneficial for the person.

A yoga menu can be drawn up for a week, or you can not adhere to special recommendations and eat as your body desires in a certain period of time. It is recommended to eat only when hungry. If a person does not want to eat, but does it only out of habit or for company, it will not bring him any benefit. It is also important in the Ayurvedic system to nourish the body in small portions, without overeating or rushing. The feeling of taste and smell of fresh food gives positive emotions and charges with positive energy.

Every day you need to take a lot of water, or any other liquid. Yogis consume about 10 glasses. Liquids should also be drunk when a feeling of hunger appears, since sometimes a person cannot distinguish between the feelings of hunger and thirst.

Yogic Nutrition Principles

Since yoga nutrition is based on the teachings of Ayurveda, you need to move to it not immediately, but gradually. The menu is compiled according to the following principles:

• 60% - natural (natural) products;
• 40% is food after heat treatment.

Yogic nutrition closely resonates with the energy of Prana. The body must be filled with vital energy through food. To do this, you need natural food that has not been processed. It is important that cooking occurs in a good mood with meditation. Thus, food is charged with positive energy. The meal process should be carried out without haste in an atmosphere of calm.

Chew each piece of food at least 40 times to convert solid food into liquid.

The liquid is also drunk without haste, in small sips. You need to be able to feel the savor of every drop. Try to drink about 10 glasses of water every day (30 ml of water per 1 kg of weight).

In the yogi menu, “rough” food is used in minimal quantities. Gradually, cosmic energy replaces heavy food.

Everything that is consumed as food should be beneficial. You should eat only when you feel hungry. You need to listen to yourself and not adhere to traditional nutrition rules.

Yogis eat 2-3 times a day. They claim that if you eat more often, the digestive process is disrupted. Their meal consists of small portions of healthy foods, the amount of which is provided only to saturate the body.

At the first feeling of fullness, the meal stops. Once a week, yogis are allocated for unloading. On such a day, many people prefer to drink only water.

They try not to eat meat, since the product is obtained through violence and pollutes the body. Meat activates rotting processes.

It is toxic because chemicals are added to animal feed. Meat leaves purine particles in the body. The liver cannot process them. Excess purine substances cause anger and imbalance in a person. Meat has the ability to accelerate the formation of the reproductive system and accelerate the aging process. Men become rude, brutal, base desires intensify.

According to tradition, after a meal, yogis perform a ritual of gratitude to higher powers for food.

It is important that food is served in dishes made from natural materials.