Yoga Diet – Healthy Food is the key for perfect Mind & Body

The Yoga Diet is one the Five Principles of Yoga. You will soon notice that eating properly will aid your health and make you feel fit and cleaner. The Yoga Diet is a perfect complement to Yoga Exercise. Despite the fact that the Yoga Diet is not a diet in the common sense of the word, you will probably lose considerable weight by just eating only healthy foods. Even if you do not want to become a vegetarian, following these basic Yoga Diet rules as it will make you feel so much better.

About Yogic Diet:

The yogic diet is mostly a vegetarian kind of diet. That consists of mostly pure and natural foods that are raw and easily digested and these foods support health. Yoga diet products the digestive and assimilation greatly. The common nutritional requirements are divided into five basic categories, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, fats, and vitamins.

You should have certain knowledge of dietetics in order to balance your yogic diet. Eating foods that are picked right from nature, grown in rich fertile soil that is preferably organic which are grown without chemicals or pesticides, cooked, if ever strictly according to the traditional yoga diet recipes will promote a better supply of your nutritional needs. And, keep in mind that packaging, refining, and cooking destroy much food value.

Yogis believe that the flesh of the dead animals is inferior by its nature. All natural yoga diet products like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains have different proportions of those essential nutrients. As a great source of nutrition, those yogic diet food groups are easily digested into the body. However, the second hand sources are usually more difficult to assimilate and so are much less valuable to the organism.

The healthy motto of the yogic diet is eating to live not live to eat. It is only right that we understand that the sole purpose of eating is supplying our bodies with the life force or in sand script, prana, the vital energy. Therefore, the greatest nutrition of the yoga seeker is the simple yogic diet consisting of natural and fresh foods.

However, the original yogic diet is even more selective than what we have mentioned above. The yogis are concerned with the side effects that the foods have on the human mind and the entire body. They then avoid food that are over stimulating and prefer the foods that keep the mind in calm and peaceful state and leave the intellect sharp. A seeker that seriously accepts the path of the yogic diet should avoid meat fish, eggs, onion, garlic, beverages like coffee, tea, and soda pop, herbal tea is the exception. You should not have alcohol and drugs of course.

Any change in an individual yogic diet should be made carefully and gradually after thoughtful consideration. A person may begin by substituting bigger portions of vegetables, seeds, and nuts until at last all the so called flesh products are excluded from your diet. The yogic diet allows you to maintain a healthy health standard, keep your mind crystal clear, and your intellect sharp.

Yogis call it as a Sattvic Diet:

Sattvic Food

* The purest diet

* The most suitable one for any serious student of yoga.

* Nourishes the body and maintains it in a peaceful state.

* Calms and purifies the mind, enabling it to function at its maximum potential.

* Leads to true health; a peaceful mind in control of a fit body, with a balanced flow of energy between them.

Sattvic foods include:

* Cereals

* Whole meal bread

* Fresh fruit and vegetables

* Pure fruit juices

* Milk

* Butter and cheese

* Legumes

* Nuts

* Seeds

* Sprouted seeds

* Honey and herb teas

Summary:

In Yoga, the Sattvic diet is considered to be a very important issue for the holistic health of a Yoga practitioner. The Sattvic Diet does bring about peaceful behavior, while nourishing the body and mind.

Never “play at” being superior, because you are eating healthy or practicing Yoga. This is a big “turn off” to those who would benefit from eating a Sattvic diet and healthy living.

Eating healthy, and practicing Yoga, is a personal choice. It is also true that no one can be forced to eat healthy. You will do more damage than good by making an issue over dieting, even if you are right.

Yoga Exercises- Step to Supreme Fitness!!!

Yoga is a phenomenon that is non discriminatory – anyone can practice it as long as they are ready to invest a little time and knowledge in how to do it properly. In order to prepare both the mind and the body for the exercises, you need to warm up your muscles and joints by doing some mild stretching. After the muscles are well stretched and ready for the exercises it is time to set your mind in a state of readiness. Spend a few minutes sitting in complete silence, trying to ignore any outside stimuli or interferences. This will allow you to go deeper into your soul and prepare mentally for the exercises you are going to attempt. Deep breathing is also necessary at this stage as it will further your state of readiness.

Before you start you should know that there are seven types of movements involved in the exercises. They are the generalized actions that your body can perform: rotation, abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, hyperextension and circumduction. All exercises are either using one or more of these basic movements.

Steps in Yoga Exercises:

Performing the asanas requires you to know the three stages that are characteristic for each pose. You need to get into the pose, hold it and perform the actions and then finish the pose. Continuity in performing the exercises is essential, as this will lead you to a final result that has gone through all the muscles and body parts.

Here is the order in which the yoga exercises should be performed in order to maximize their positive effects on your body and spirit.

* Start with the Corpse Pose in order to get ready for the following exercises.
* Charge your body with energy while sitting in the Easy Pose.
* The flexibility of your neck has to be maximum, so try to perform some neck exercises before moving forward.
* The Shoulder lifts further the relaxation of the neck muscles while also increasing the flexibility of your shoulder and deltoid muscles.
* The Sun Salutation prepares the body for the asanas by blending a dozen positions that are performed in a fluent manner.
* It is time to move on to the lower part of your body. Leg Raises are necessary in order to strengthen the lower back muscles, which are accountable for your equilibrium and body balance. The leg raises also help you develop stronger abdominal muscles.
* The Head Stand aids circulation as gravity is reversed. Those areas of your body that don't normally get good circulation are now improved by this pose.
* The natural follower of the head stand is the Shoulder Stand, which works in a similar way, relaxing and strengthening the neck and deltoid muscles.
* Three successive exercises that strengthen the back are the Bridge, the Fish and the Plow.
* Try doing the forward bend in order to increase the stimulation of your nervous system and tone your overall body condition.
* The final corpse pose is great for ending this exercise succession and you should allow your body some time to 'cool off' after the exercises.

Yoga Exercise Benefits:

Yoga as we all know it is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one and that if it is given the right tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal it. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga - to feel fitter, be more energetic, and be happier and peaceful.

o Sympathetic Nervous System dominates
o Cortical regions of brain dominate
o Rapid forceful movements
o Increased muscle tension
o Higher risk of injury
o Moderate to high caloric consumption
o Effort is maximized
o Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
o Imbalance activity of opposing groups
o Competitive, goal-oriented
o Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.)
o Boredom factor

Summary:

Yoga Aasanas or positions are the best among all exercises for toning muscles, lubricating joints and massaging the body. Yoga postures bring physical as well as mental stability, health and vigor. These Asanas were developed thousands of years ago and have evolved over centuries. They work wonders in keeping the body healthy and the mind peaceful. Asanas exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles. In other words, yoga exercises are the most comprehensive method of self care

Yoga Mat- A must have Accessory for Yoga

What is a Yoga Mat?

Yoga mats are made from various materials, including latex, cotton, micro fiber, and rubber, and are normally slip-proof. Some are eco-friendly. Certain types have straps built-in for easy carrying, but others require bags for travel.

They come in various thicknesses and lengths. Travel mats tend to roll up more easily and are often thinner than regular mats. The average thickness for a beginner, or for those that prefer thin mats, is around 3.2 mm, while a medium thickness is 4- to 5.5 mm, and a premium mat can be 6.2 or 6.3 mm. Standard size is 24 inches by 68 inches, but some are available in longer lengths, such as 72 or 74 inches

Features to Look for

* Smooth surface
o Provides extra stickiness and grip.
* Internal, center threading gives this mat exceptional strength and durability against tearing.
* Fabric
o High quality closed-cell PVC. Vinyl gives the mat a soft cushion feels.
o Latex free
o Mesh
o Cotton
o Rubber
* Hand washable.
* Size
* Thickness
* Colors
* Weight
* Built in carrying handles

Choosing a Yoga mat:

There are several yoga mats available, that you can choose from. Given below are the different types.

* Sticky Mats - These mats offer stability while doing your yoga poses, in addition to a covering. They come in a variety of colors, are thin and lightweight. Some even have guide marks on them to help you with proper hand and foot placements. They can be used for most types of yoga. However, before use, you need to sprinkle them with a small amount of water and air dry. This will prevent the mats from slipping and sliding on the floor.

* Ultra Double Thickness Mats - These yoga mats are the same as sticky mats, except for the fact that they are ultra thick. Because of this, they provide both cushioning and stability…which can be useful in certain poses. It is especially useful for practitioners who often jump from one pose to another (example Astanga practitioners).
* Travel Mats - If you are on the go, then this is the right mat for you. It is prefect for throwing into your suitcase or carryon luggage and you can practice no matter where you are. Due to travel mats being very thin, you would need to use them on a carpeted floor. If the floor isn’t carpeted, spread a towel or blanket on it, and you’re all set.
* Cotton Mats - Cotton mats are ideal for forms of yoga which produce extra body heat and cause you to sweat a lot (examples are Astanga or Bikram). They absorb sweat, and keep you from slipping and sliding. These, too, would be most effective if sprinkled with a small amount of water. Many cotton mats also have lines in the patterns, which helps you with your body alignment. They also provide cushioning and can be substituted for blankets by helping to bolster your body.

How do I clean my Yoga mat?

Most of the mats used are of different and large variety of sticky mats which are made up of PVC vinyl material and can be easily cleaned. If your mat is slightly dirty then just spray some water or clean it with a damp cloth and later wipe it with a dry towel. For mats which are very unclean, they can put this mat in a tub with very little detergent to remove the dirt from the mat. Too much of detergent would just make your mat more slippery, which is not advisable. Keep it soaked for time and later rinse it thoroughly. If you want to dry your mat quickly then use the press and soak technique. Place the mat between some towels, squeeze most of the water by walking on it and then leave it for drying outside you yard.

Benefits of using Yoga mat:

1. The yoga mats are mainly used to bring an improvement in your balance and coordination which you may lack otherwise.
2. Some asana are strongly rooted with your posture, so improving your posture and balance would also help in improving your health. The different mats are a match winner as they help in creating that act of balance in your body. It may be a different feeling in the beginning, but you will get used to it as time passes by.
3. The usage of these mats may prevent injuries which may be caused by the slippery surface. It is advisable to perform yoga on a mat rather than on the bare floor.
4. The mat keeps your body warm and the energy which is generated is within your body rather than passed on to the floor.

Summary:

Yoga mats are generally a very thin mat. They are used in order to make the ground or floor more comfortable for sitting and lying yoga moves. A mat is a good investment and it may be one of the first yoga accessories you wish to purchase.