Yoga Diet and Yoga Nidra
Yoga is a natural medicine that cures what is incurable. It is a practice of physical and mental stability and good health. The only way to keep yourself healthy in this polluted world is to take care of your spiritual and physical health.
YOGIC FOOD TYPES:
A LIST OF SATTVIC, RAJASIC AND TAMASIC FOOD ITEMS:
Sattvic:cereals, honey, herbs, sprouts, seeds, nuts, legumes, butter, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, and whole meal bread
Rajasic:chocolate, salt, eggs, fish, tea and coffee, sharp spices
Tamasic:meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions, garlic, fermented foods and over ripe foods
Yoga and yoga diet serve this purpose of improvement in your external health as well as your internal peace. You are what you eat; that’s why eating habits are of vital importance for a healthy lifestyle.
Yoga practitioners are encouraged to follow a Sattvic diet comprising of fresh and organic foods like vegetables, fruits, milk, etc. The closer you are to nature, the healthier your body becomes. By eating such healthy and close to nature foods, your health improves externally and internally as well. Eating healthy food not only improves the digestion process, but it also gives a glow to your skin and many other health benefits. Internally it brings peace and harmony among different organs. A peaceful state of mind makes a person more productive and creative.
Yoga diet promotes consumption of vegetarian foods. Meat is usually not allowed because of the high calories it contains. Meat increases heart rate and causes restlessness in the mind and body. Yoga diet brings a balance of proteins, vitamins, calcium and other different nutrients that your body needs to function. Your body needs love and care for working properly, and it can only happen by having a healthy diet.
Yoga Nidra:
Yoga Nidra is the most efficient way for relaxation after a yoga session. It cools down the body temperature and flushes out toxins from the body. Our organs need time to absorb the effects of yoga postures, and yoga Nidra is the best way to relax the muscles. It is just like a restart button of a human body after a yoga practice.
Steps to do a Yoga Nidra
- To begin, lie down straight on your back without stretching your hands or feet. Relax and take slow breaths. Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful environment surrounding you.
- Gently bring your attention to one of your legs. Beginning with the right leg is mostly preferred. Keep your focus on your right foot, then calf, thigh and then start with the other leg. While maintaining your focus on any part, relax the other parts and stay in this position for a few minutes.
- In the same way, move your attention to all the parts of your body. Your stomach, your genitals, then hands, shoulders, and neck till the head. Slowly move your attention to all parts of the body. Do not forget to breathe slowly and not heavily.
- Take a long and deep breath relaxing your muscles and remain still in this position for a few minutes.
- Now slowly turn your body to the right side and keep yourself in this posture for a few moments.
- Then turn to your left and perform the same way.
- While breathing slowly, open your eyes and feel the environment around you. You can take your own time in performing the yoga Nidra.
Yoga Nidra is a state between wakefulness and unconsciousness. It is the perfect way to meditate and freshen up your mind for a peaceful and healthy state.
