Concepts and principals of ahara (Diet) in Hathapradipika and Bhagawadgeeta (Mitahara and Yuktahara)

AHARA' (FOOD): The first principle ofYoga depicts the consumption habits.

Food is a biological need for survival.Modern approach views the food interms of protein, carbohydrate, fat,minerals, vitamins and intake ofcalories. The Yogic approach laysemphasis on mitahara which includesproper quality, quantity of food and alsothe state of mind which enhance thevitality and longevity of life.

Hatha Yoga Pradeepika (HYP) states:

सुस्निग्धमधुराहारश्चतुर्थाशविवर्जितः

भुज्यते शिवसंप्रीत्यै मिताहार स ः उच्यते//(H.Y. P. I.58)

Susnigdhamadhuraaharashchathurthanshavivarjitah

Bhujyateshivasamprityaimitaharahsauchyate

Meaning:Mitahara is defined as agreeable andsweet food leaving one fourth of thestomach ree and eaten as an offeringto please Shiva (God).(H.Y. P. I.58)

The stomach shouldnever beoverloaded; it should be half filled withfood, one quarter with water and onequarter with air. Eating 'to please Shivameans while eating one should have thefeeling that it is not for pleasure. Foodshould be taken with a sense of dharma(duty).jnana (knowledge) and vairagya(detachment).

The food according to Yogic approach isof three types, namely Sattavic, Rajasic

andT amasic. Sattavic food is easilydigestible. This is naturally grown, easy

to digest and gives energy. The sattavicfood includes milk, milk products.fruits, dried fruits, vegetables of theseason, cereals, sprouts, pulses, honey , jaggery, sugarcane, natural andunprocessed sugar and oil. Rajasic food

is essential for physically active peopleand is heavy to digest. Tamasic foods

are nerve stimulating. They are usuallyunnatural in state. Stale, frozen, canned

Foods; bakery products of refined floursuch as cake, pastries; chocolates, soft

Drinks, tea, coffee, wines and liquor,tobacco and others fall under thiscategory. This type of food disturbs thebalance of nerves. In addition to thisone should eat the food which is grownlocally (natively)One should always eat just with theobjective of survival, according to one'sown need and capacity. A person shouldeat small meal at a time; keeping in mindthe quality, quantity of food along with apositive state of mind. In between themeals, if one feels hungry, he/sheshould eata little, otherwise theimmunity becomes low.Yogic approach puts emphasis on howand when to eat. One should never drinkwater with food a person should neverAct when agitated, disturbed, stressedor worried. The timings for taking mealsalso should be fixed as far ascan be four times a day with a gap of four hours between  two meals. The meals can be adjusted depending upon the bed and requirement of the person.