At the spiritual level, yoga is the practice and process of one’s purification at different layers of being. The body is considered as a vehicle that leads one on this path of deep inner purification. Therefore, in yoga philosophy there is a huge importance given to keeping the body clean and preventing physical illness and breakdown, in order to attain spiritual awareness.
To keep the body internally clean, the importance of right foods cannot be ignored. Learning to eat clean is be a huge part of a yogic lifestyle.
Clean eating simply means eating foods that are as close as possible to their natural state. The yogic definition of clean eating is conceptually a level up! The yogic diet considers the principles of Ahimsa, Sattva, and Prana as well. Ahimsa in the yogic context means “non-violence” and must reflect in a yogi’s food habits and choices. Ahimsa focuses on consuming a vegetarian diet while causing no harm to the animal kingdom. A yogic diet also emphasizes the principle of sattva and foods that are pure and light in quality, including fresh vegetables, grains, legumes, and mildly sweet foods. High prana foods keep the purity and energy high, which contributes to higher our spiritual pursuits.
The following guidelines provide a framework to begin clean eating on the yogic path:
- Give up sugary, refined, and processed foods: Refined, processed, sugar-laden foods can be addictive and increase the acidic load of the body, creating internal blockages and weakening the body of its defense mechanisms. A weak body cannot sustain the path of yoga for long.
- Consume foods which come directly from nature: A yogic diet places much emphasis on the Prana or life-force of foods. Foods that come directly from nature are naturally high in Prana. Generally, the fresher the produce, the more Prana it contains. On the yogic path, one should consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouts, green leafy vegetables, herbs, spices, beans, lentils, and whole grains. Avoid frozen, stale and packaged foods that are low in Prana.
- Consume water to keep the system flowing and flexible: Yoga equates health and youth with flexibility. An inflexible body is a dry body and consuming enough water is a great way to keep the internal toxins moving and to keep the body hydrated and flexible. Drinking water first thing in the morning helps to flush out toxins.
- Consume whole grains: Yoga practice requires energy and the best fuel to produce pure energy comes from carbohydrates. Whole grains including millet, oats, wheat, quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth are some of the best sources of clean energy.
- Modify diet according to the seasons: With changing seasons the body goes through a shift in its digestive capacity. Eat what is locally in season. It is important for a yogi to listen to these inner and outer clues to keep their body and digestion in a state of perfect health and well-being.