Yoga and Diet in the Classical Texts

Historically, vegetarian diets have been encountered most often in association with
various religious beliefs and practices. Christian groups as varied as Trappist monks
and Seventh-day Adventists include many vegetarians, either due to biblical
interpretation or spiritual injunctions to live a simple life. And of course, the cultural
traditions of Yoga that have spawned much of the religious traditions of the East are
vegetarian. Such vegetarians could well be stricter about their diet than those doing it
for health reasons, because they have adopted the diet based on deeply held religious
beliefs or strong philosophical, ethical, or ecological principles.
For the most part, the classic Yoga texts emphasize the role of diet in advanced
practices. For the beginner, who just wants to do a few asans for limbering and
relaxing, diet can be important, especially if prior eating habits have been inadequate,
but is not critical for success. However, if the student wants to attempt more advanced
breathing, concentration and meditation techniques, diet becomes more important. The
classical texts all stress moderation of intake and the soothing, calming effects on the
mind of a carefully designed diet.
Throughout the ancient texts the first Yoga practice invoked is that of Nonviolence
(ahimsa in Sanskrit), which means "not causing suffering to any living being." Most
Yogis extend this injunction to animals, giving us the most fundamental reason for a
vegetarian diet. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, an ancient handbook of Yoga, says,
"Moderate diet means pleasant, sweet food, leaving free one-fourth of the stomach. The
act of eating is dedicated to Shiva." In the old texts, Shiva is a constant presence, often
described as the first or preeminent Yogi, in legend sitting alone on a peak in the high
Himalayas in eternal meditation.
Pleasant and sweet foods had a different meaning in classical times, and the text lists
some recommended foods: "Wheat products, rice, milk, fats, rock candy, honey, dried
ginger, cucumber, vegetables, and fresh water. The Yogi should eat nourishing, sweet
foods mixed with milk. They should benefit the senses and stimulate the functions."
Keep in mind that these are ancient foods, and translating them to a supermarket
shopping list is difficult. Grains were always whole, fat from clarified butter was rare,
and buttermilk meant whey.
The Gheranda Samhita, another classic Sanskrit text in the form of a dialogue between
a legendary sage by the name of Gheranda and an aspiring student, Chanda Kapali,
hints at a more practical approach. The sage says strong-tasting foods, which to us
means highly palatable foods, are so attractive that they draw the mind to them. Food
can too easily become a distraction. A blander diet retrains the mind eventually, to
facilitate introspection. The following are recommended: rice, barley, wheat, and
legumes (peas, beans, and lentils); and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables,
particularly leafy vegetables. A general description of pure, sweet, and cooling food,
only filling half the stomach, rounds out the recommendation. You can see the principle
of moderation at work again. My teacher Rama explained that one-half of the stomach
should be filled with food and one-fourth with water, leaving one-fourth for air.