After becoming a yoga teacher, I’ve experienced the importance of a yoga diet. Hence, I would like to introduce you to the concept of Mitahara as stated in The Hatha Yoga Pradipika which is a medieval scripture written in 1350 on hatha yoga.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP) states the importance of ‘Mitahara’. The word ‘Mita’ means limited quantity and the word ‘Ahara’ refers to the diet.
The Vedic verse in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.58) defines Mitahara as agreeable and sweet food, leaving one-fourth of the stomach free and eaten (as an offering to please Shiva).
Another verse in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (1.63) states that the yogi should take nourishing and sweet food mixed with ghee and milk; it should nourish the dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable.
The above two verses clearly state that one must eat agreeable and sweet food for the body while keeping one-fourth of the stomach empty & free. Half of the stomach is to be filled with solid food which is agreeable to one’s liking & which includes some sweet foods in it. Another one-fourth of the stomach is to be filled with water and the last one fourth is to be left empty.
Another thing it mentions is Pathya i.e. the food to consume. To my surprise, it stated that sugar is necessary for brain function as well as other body function. This understanding changed my whole perception of sweet food.
Hence, honey is recommended as it gets readily absorbed as whole food by the body.
Once I became conscious of the food I ate and kept in mind the particular timings I ate it, I understood which food suits my body and gives me nourishment.
As time passed and I became more & more aware, I realized the phenomenon that our body is a super intelligent being and it knows exactly what’s good for its smooth functioning. All it needs from us is to listen to it!
A few days ago, I noticed that my sweat had a peculiar smell, which was not usually present. I started checking my routine & diet to figure out what has gone wrong. I concluded that my water intake had gone down drastically.
Hence, I went on a coconut water and water diet for a day. Next day, Voila! My sweat and body function is back to it’s optimum.
Here are a few properties of coconut water that makes it super healthy.
1. Coconut water has a similar electrolyte profile to human blood making it an ideal beverage to replace fluids and help remove toxins from the body.
2. Coconut water is rich in the electrolyte potassium that can specifically help counteract some of the negative effects of a high-sodium processed diet.
3. Regular consumption of coconut water increases the metabolism rates which helps to burn sugar and lose fat faster.
4. Coconut water also helps in dissolving kidney stones because of the presence of potassium which plays a key role in urine alkalizing and preventing the formation of kidney stones.
4. Drinking coconut water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can help in many ways.
It contains lauric acid which helps in boosting immunity, kick-starting your metabolism and facilitating weight loss. It acts as a digestive too.
Stay happy & healthy.
Inculcate in your lifestyle Mitahara, Yoga, and Meditation (MYM) – your daily intake of a health supplement.
For more information on Mitahara, Yoga, and Meditation, I invite you to have a first-hand experience of it live by attending a yoga retreat I’m facilitating at Rishikesh in India.
