People who perform yoga regularly and begin to feel the benefits, soon become complacent about their health. “But I’m already doing yoga and feeling good about myself. I don’t need to alter my diet.” Such an attitude is understandable – a yogi’s mind and body are healthier than that of the average person and they thus feel their efforts are “enough”. But the fact remains that there is always scope for improvement and dietary changes can make your transformation even more intense and empowering.

Yogic philosophy maintains that your mind and body are greatly defined by the food you eat. The finest foods nourish the mind, the middling ones form the flesh and gross particles get eliminated. Therefore, for the body to be suitably proficient in function, you must eat a diet that is rich in fine foods. This will ensure that the mental state is conducive to yogic practice and meditation. You will then be able to perform yoga in a more disciplined and effectual manner.

So the question now is, what kind of a diet complements your yogic regime? The answer is singular and uniform across all ancient yogic treatises. A yogic diet should be largely composed of satvik foods. “Now what are ‘satvik foods’?” you ask. Hold on a bit. First, you need to understand the classification of foods within the yogic system.

Unlike the conventional tripartite categorization of food into carbs, fats and proteins, yoga classifies food based on the effect they have on the body. Some foods are light and nutritive, and make the mind agile and enthusiastic. Other foods make you more restless and active. The most lowly of foods are heavy and filling, and tend to make you lethargic and inactive. You can probably see how the first category of foods is most suitable to the life and prerogatives of a yogi. These are called satvik foods. The second type of foods constitute a rajasic diet and are useful to people and advanced yogis who require a more physically fortifying diet. The third kind of food is called tamasic food and is best avoided by most people.

Coming to the particularities of satvik food; they are not as alien and unappetising as you may assume. They comprise of a range of things we eat almost on a daily basis. Legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy products are the mainstay in a satvik diet. It is recommended that freshly prepared food that has been produced without the use of chemicals and pesticides be consumed. As is evident, no poultry or meat falls within the pale of a satvik diet. “Where will I get my protein from?” you ask. The legumes and other leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and mushrooms will maintain healthy protein levels in your body, don’t worry.

Sticking to a satvik diet at all times may not be easy. If you find yourself incapable of a complete conversion to this kind of a diet, periodic detoxes would be a great option for you. One week every month, give up on other indulgences and eat only these healthy organic foods. Maybe over time, the invigorating capacity of such healthy food will motivate you to adopt a more permanent dietary change. Know more by attending a workshop at Yoga Sadhna India for Yogic lifestyle and to feel wellness.