The first principle in the philosophy of yoga is ahimsa: non-violence. Yogis extend this principle to animals. Not eating dead animals means you don’t harm. People who follow a vegetarian diet attempt to be more ethical and emphatic. With the vegetarian way of living you take responsibility for your actions and behavior. It is about living in harmony with animals and respect every living being on this beautiful planet earth(yoga teacher training in Goa).
On a physical level to follow a vegetarian diet is good for your body:
Meat is very hard to digest and it contains toxins. Vegetarians tend to have a faster digestive system because meat takes more as the double time to digest, compared to veggie food. Meat raises the cholesterol level in your blood and a high level of cholesterol increases the risk of a heart attack.
Plant-based food is higher in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. It is proven that a strict vegetarian diet lowers the risk of diabetes, cancer, hypertension and more.
Also Read: Certificate in Yoga Courses
Good for your mind
One of the benefits of practicing yoga is to calm the mind and to improve inner peace. The food that you eat has a big influence on positive or negative thoughts in your mind. It is scientifically proven that the adrenaline and hormones which is contained meat make it more difficult to control the mind. According to the tradition of a yogic lifestyle, a vegetarian diet which contains a lot of fruits, vegetables, and grain helps to calm the mind and brings positive thoughts. To be in harmony with nature it is important to consume vegetarian food which is produced in a fair and loving environment.
Increase your energy level
The cholesterol in meat slows down your whole body system and makes you feel tired. A balanced healthy vegetarian diet helps to have your energy at a constant level. Whole grains, fruits, and veggies which are high in complex carbohydrates boost your energy and make you feel more energized.
Ayurveda
Connected with the same family Yoga and Ayurveda are both traditional healing practice of India. Ayurveda reaches back thousand years ago to the Vedic times. The practice has grown and developed over the years. In the yoga practice and to improve a healthy lifestyle it is important to include the benefits and its food.
Ayurveda divides a different kind of foods into three categories:
- Sattva: Goodness, Harmony
It includes food that is pure, natural, and energy-containing.
Fruits, Vegetables, seeds whole grain
- Raja: Activity, mutable
Food or drinks what simulates mental restlessness.
Caffeinated drinks, spicy food, too much salt, eggs
- Tamas: Static
Food what is hard to digest, that brings physical and mental pain and less consciousness into life.
Meat, fish, onion, alcohol, garlic, mushrooms
Conclusion
Considered to a yogic diet Ayurveda suggests following a sattvic diet, which is meat-free. Sattvic food is nourishing and it supports a quiet, calm mind. The food you consume must be grown in a natural environment. The Ayurvedic diet helps to balance the body and mind.
