The Yogi Diet: 10 Do's and Don'ts

I am a yogi and I love food. I also have a predominantly Kapha constitution, which means that it a bit easier for me to put on weight, something I didn’t really think about until after I had children. Click here for a constitution quiz.

Some yogis choose to be vegetarian for a variety of reasons. I have been one for a very long time. My mother says that I came out that way. She actually says that I ate pasta and green beans, Guess what I still love? You got it! You don't have to be a vegetarian, though, just because you're a yogi.

Throughout my years of trying various diets (not diets to lose weight) and cleanses, I’ve noticed some things. I’ve also spent a lot of time reading about what yogi masters and teachers as well as lots of other professional say about food.

What did I learn? I feel light, my emotions are level, I sleep well and I feel energetic when I am eating organic fruits and vegetables and not much else. Other people do not have that same experience. Some feel drained, some get light-headed and some are down right miserable when they don't have animal protein.

Bottom line is that some people make better vegetarians than others. Some need animal protein more than others. Some people do well with dairy; I’m not one of them. We are different and we have different needs.

My suggestions for a healthy, healing yogic diet:

1.   Eat organic, local and humanely-treated food sources

2.   Mostly veggies and some fruits, fresh, raw or cooked

3.   Find the protein sources that suit your body type and lifestyle (beans, meat, fish, dairy, eggs)

4.   Whole grains again that work for you

5.   Lots of warm water and hot tea

6.   Very little sweeteners—honey or maple syrup if needed

7.   Spices of all sorts remembering that spices have long been used as medicine

8.   Homemade foods whenever possible, made with love, chanting and in a peaceful environment

9.   Eat the right amount for your body, 2/3 full

10.  Any food that makes you feel truly alive

The things we want to stay away from:

1.   Genetically modified foods

2.   Anything with a label with words you don’t know

3.   Processed, packaged, re-formed foods

4.   Fried foods

5.   Eating while you are doing something else, angry or rushed

6.   White flour

7.   Sugar

8.   Alcohol, tobacco and other substances

9.   Overly salted food

10. Any food that doesn’t make you feel more alive

If you’re interested in learning more about a healthy diet, join me for a group cleanse starting on September 2^nd. Click here for more information.

For another perspective, you might read, The Yogic Diet: 10Foods to Enjoy & Avoid, by Lisa Mitchell.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts about food and yoga and how they work together.

Soothing Spring Ayurveda Style

Though we have 4 seasons here in parts of the US and other parts of the world, Ayurveda generally considers three. They are based on the qualities of the seasons which are most closely linked to the doshas or constitutional principles. 

The three doshas- vata, made of the elements air and space (also known as ether) has cold, dry and windy qualities and depicts Fall to Winter; kapha, made of the elements earth and water has moist, dense, and sluggish qualities and defines winter to spring; and pitta, made up of fire and water, has sharp, hot, and oily qualities which depicts spring into summer. There are other qualities and I am simplifying, yet I think you will all get the picture.

In Utah we are completely into Spring and will soon move into Summer. We experienced the waking up from winter, the necessary cleansing and now we make sure that we are prepared to move into a hot, dry Summer. Of course, all of my suggestions will depend upon your personal constitution and your general health.  Take this test to find out.

What can you do?

• eat locally grown,organic foods that are coming into season
• my sprouts are going crazy right now as are my son's strawberries
• eat lighter than in the winter and now you can eat cooler foods (like salads)
• continue with your morning and evening routines although some of you will wake up earlier with the sun and stay up a bit later
• begin with warm water with lemon, brush teeth, scrape tongue
• neti pot (nasal wash) with sterile, gently salted water helps to lessen allergic reactions
• be sure to still use your oil in your nose, eyes, gums, and on your skin
• dry brush the skin starting at the extremities and working your way in before oiling to slough off dead skin
• get outside (with sun protection-hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• exercise-swim, bike, walk, hike 
• continue with a breathing practice, keeping any stronger kriyas in the mornings
• asana can be a bit more vigorous if appropriate for you (halasana for digestion)
  
• spend time with family and friends
• drink lots of fluid
• although you may stay up a bit later, consider settling down when the sun goes down
• think about disconnecting from electronics an hour before sleep
• continue to meditate because it's important to still spend quiet, quality inner time with yourself
• enjoy

I'm always interested to hear what my readers are doing so feel free to let me know.

Oils, oils, oils

The YouTube link to Banyan Botanicals with show you how to apply your oil. I like there concise, helpful and clear messages. They also have wonderful, organic oils.

But, which oil to use. There are many oils available. The trick is finding the right oil for you in your climate and during the particular season you are experiencing. I have tried many different types of oils and various brands of the same oil. Every oil is not the same.

According to Ayurveda (I will discuss doshas at a later date):
Vata Dosha (dry, rough, frizzy), you would use sesame, olive, castor or almond oil.
Pitta Dosha (oily, hot, sweaty), coconut, sunflower or almond oil.
Kapha Dosha (smooth, oily, cool), sesame, almond, or corn oil.

So you don't know your dosha, now what? Well you can see an Ayurvedic practitioner, take a test from a valid Ayurvedic website or book, or do a little trial and error and see what works best for you. Or try this quiz.

When and where available, look for organic, cold pressed, not roasted or toasted or flavored, oils. As with most things, the more you buy, the lower the cost. Oils can be very expensive though so make sure it is one you like and that suits you before making a large purchase.

There are various schools of thought on oiling. Some say, fight oil with oil; others say, don't use oils if you skin is oily. If you have excessive oil, you might look at your diet and consider some dry brushing instead of oiling.

Dry brushing is massaging the body without any oil. You can use a washcloth, loofa, your hands, whatever feels good on your skin. I use dry brushing some times before abhyanga or some times instead of oiling. It increases circulation, stimulates your cells, wakes you up and exfoliates. I just work my way around my body with my loofa; I use a washcloth on my face. It's very refreshing.

Oiling and dry brushing can be done year round. I find I like dry brushing more in the winter and I only like to oil right before my shower or if I'm not going anywhere that day and can wear "oil-safe" clothes.

When oiling, I stand on a towel. If I am doing my yoga practice with my oil on, I place a towel over my floor or mat. I like to let the oil soak in for as long as possible. If I am oiling my hair, which I do not do all the time because of my fine, long hair, I leave it on over night with a shower cap.

I use a special set of towels for my oil showers. They definitely get affected by the oil over time. In the shower, I make sure the bottoms of my feet are not oiling. I only use soap on my hair, underarms and genitals.

You may feel strange at first, but you will notice a remarkable difference with your skin almost immediately. If you have any uncomfortable feelings or skin reactions or irritations, do not continue.

Times not to oil:

menstruation
pregnancy
illness
if you have broken skin, bruises
you have skin reactions