Yoga and Diet-what constitutes a healthy diet.

Here are a couple of quotes written by Deepak Chopra from the foreword of 'The Ayurvedic Cookbook'. This is an excellent book which explains simply and clearly the principles underlying this ancient Indian practise of harmonising and nourishing the body with wholesome food.

'All the great wisdom traditions of the world have looked upon the miracle of nutrition as something sacred.'

'Eating, digestion and metabolism are the transformation of one mode of intelligence into another. The life energy in a kernel of corn today may become a light receptor in your eye tomorrow, which decodes the intelligence of the universe into colour and form.'

Later in the book there is a passage about vegetarianism.

'If you eat your vegetables, you will live longer and be healthier and kinder to your purse and to the earth. A vegetarian diet can be creative, delicious and balanced and provide plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals. Both heart disease and cancer, the two biggest killers in our society, are much less likely in people who do not eat animals. From an ecological perspective, a pound of hamburger requires about sixteen pounds of grain, making the eating of meat costly in terms of global food resources. Finally, there is the issue of karma, in which the talking of life, with its attendant fear and suffering, has its repercussions.'

I myself have been vegetarian for about 9 yrs, the process of abstaining from meat started years before. I noticed as a child when presented with a plate of meat and veg. I would always start the veg. first, often the meat would only be eaten with a struggle. So I have never had a passion for the taste of meat. When I started to cook for myself as a student both my purse and taste buds directed away from meat but I still ate sausages, bacon, fish etc.
Next I was away travelling through India and Asia where I found it no effort to be completely vegetarian. Whilst in Australia I met a partner who was vegetarian and that was enough to complete the process, although I will eat fish when dining out as often there is no vege option.
When asked why I am vegetarian I find it hard to give a simple answer. I am never tempted to eat meat and feel no cravings for it, vegetarianism for me is a comfortable natural choice. When I started to get interested in yoga I was pleased to find at least in this section of my life I was aligned with the teachings.
With all the outbreaks of diseases such as BSE in cows and salmonella in chicken I am relieved that as a vegetarian I am minimising my exposure. These diseases are a direct consequence of mechanised animal farming techniques which are used in the UK to maximise output, cramped conditions leads to a miserable life for the animals and the use of drugs to control diseases. As I scoot round the supermarket I now see many animal products are 'free range' which is great, the animals have led a more natural life and their suffering has been minimised.
When asked what constitutes a healthy diet, my normal answer is this -
I advocate the diet of a hunter gatherer of 10000 yrs ago, lots of veg, fruit, nuts and free range meat once a week (if you are fast enough to catch it!!)

When choosing what food we eat, in general the fresher and more natural the food the better. Organic or homegrown friut and veg is best but is not always easily available. Fresh food is full of prana, life force, however on storage or reheating of food this prana diminishes This means ready made frozen meals microwaved will be less nourishing than a meal prepared from fresh ingredients. Of course along with the packets we normally get the colourings, flavourings, preservatives, salt and sugar which are also best avoided. Over the years a great deal has been written about the benefits of eating raw food, I have no experience of such diets but within ayurveda it is recommended to cook food, as it will smell and taste better and be easier to digest.

Here is another quote from the Ayurvedic Cookbook.

There is an old Ayurvedic expression which says: 'If your digestive power is strong, you can convert poison into nectar, but if your digestive power is weak, you can convert nectar into poison.'

This shows how the body and food interact but there is also an interaction between the mind and the food in the nutritional process. Only when all these interactions are balanced will the diet is healthy.

I have experienced the 'effect' of a diet the most when on retreat or fasting or following a mild diet following the cleansing process of shankhaprakshalana. When on retreat saying Grace has a big impact on me, immediately I become mindful and appreciative of the gift of nourishment and the love and attention of the cooks.
During a special diet all the senses of the body are heightened, smells and tastes become new experiences. Even the most mild foods can develop subtle intoxicating flavours, my particular favourite is boiled new potatoes.
When fasting I became aware of the constant chatter the mind on the matter of FOOD! It made me realise how important my next meal was to me, I only know this as I kept experiencing the dissappointment of realising I was fasting. After a few days of the diet the mind adapts (as it always will), there is a new lightness about my body and mind which is very uplifting. Whole new chunks of the day are released from food duties and consequently more time for chores or reading or relaxation. Of course the mind can sink back into craving sensual food at any time but as we are told 'yoga comes and goes'.

I found a useful list of do's and don'ts in the Ayurvedic Cookbook.

1. Eat in a settled atmosphere.
2. Never eat when upset.
3. Always sit down to eat.
4. Eat only when hungry.
5. Reduce ice-cold food and drink.
6. Don't talk while chewing your food.
7. Eat at a moderate pace.
8. Eat freshly cooked meals.
9. Reduce raw foods
10. Experience all six tastes at every meal. sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.
11. Leave one-third to one quarter of your stomach empty.
12. Sit quietly for a few minutes after your meal.

By following these simple guides the process of nourishing the body will become more efficient, more satisfying and more healthy.

The mind exerts a great control on the way we deal with food, consequently if we eat with mindfulness we can exert a control on our minds, it is a two-way highway. The middle path, without excesses. is very much at the heart of yoga, this is exemplified by this quote from the Bhagavad Gita ch 6 16-18

'Arjuna, those who eat too much or eat too little, who sleep too much or sleep too little, will not succeed in meditation. But those who are temperate in eating and sleeping, work and recreation, will come to the end of sorrow through meditation. Through constant effort they learn to withdraw the mind from selfish craving and absorb it in the Self.
Thus they attain the state of union.'

So a healthy diet comprises of many things. A good balance of fresh natural organic ingredients and the correct attitude of mind and body while preparing and eating the meal.

How should the subject of diet be approached within the yoga class setting?

I feel it is important to be sensitive and patient when dealing with this emotive subject. To advocate a strict vegetarian diet would wrong and potentially push people away. With a familiar class it would be good encourage some thought on the subject of diet by giving a 5-10 min talk during a class. It would be helpful to reiterate that a healthy diet is about freshness, naturalness, variation and moderation and give that useful twelve point guide of do's and don'ts.

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