Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: Vegetarianism?

Home : Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
Vegetarianism?

1 2

View All

emily
Regular

Oct 3, 2002, 7:18 AM

Post #1 of 26 (7110 views)
Shortcut

Vegetarianism?	Can't Post

Hello,

How many of you are vegetarians, and to what degree? I am deciding whether or not to go completely veggie: right now, I do occasionally eat meat (mainly fish). In thinking about this, I was curious as to whether there was any explicit relationship between vegetarianism and Iyengar yoga.

Are there any dietary limitations involved in the Iyengar system? I know that in Sivananda, for example, there are restrictions against eating food which is tamasic or rajasic, including meat and caffeine. Looking through the Iyengars' books, I don't see any coverage of diet (although maybe I'm not looking closely enough!).

I was just wondering if others who have more experience would have some ideas on the topic...if you have encountered anything in relation to diet in your Iyengar education.

Thanks so much!

emily

Ivan
Administrator / Moderator

Oct 3, 2002, 12:18 PM

Post #2 of 26 (7074 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Emily

in "Light on Yoga," Mr Iyengar writes the following things about being a vegetarian.

In the section about ahimsa (non-violence): "But merely because a man is a vegetarian, it does not necessarily follow that he is non-violent by temperament or that he is a yogi, though a vegetarian diet is a necessity for the practice of yoga."

Later, in the section about saucha (purity): "Whether or not to be a vegetarian is a purely personal matter as each person is influenced by the tradition and habits of the country in which he was born and bred. But, in course of time, the practicioner of yoga has to adopt a vegetarian diet, in order to attain one-pointed attention and spiritual evolution."

Maybe these thoughts will help you in your decision about becoming a vegetarian or not.

I am a vegetarian myself, and for me it certainly belongs to the path of yoga.

I am also curious to hear what other people have to say about this!

Ivan
---
Iyengar Yoga Resources

nagrajm
Regular

Oct 7, 2002, 12:48 PM

Post #3 of 26 (7032 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I will quote from "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" one of the ancient texts dealing with the practice of Hatha Yoga. This text was written by Yogi Swatmarama. A commentary on which has been written by Swami Muktibodhananda of International Yoga Fellowship and Satyananda Yoga.

Verses 58, 59, 60, 62 and 63 of Chapter 1 deals with diet for a strict yogi. Notwithstanding the fact that this diet applies to one who has renounced everything else and taken up the practice of Yoga for his/her salvation, it is a pointer to a direction for anyone who wants to practice yoga in it's true spirit. The idea behind such a diet is that it precludes any food that is addictive or which creates a craving. Meat is an addictive food.

I will just quote the verses from the book Hatha Yoga Pradipika translated by Swami Mukthibodhananda. For further extensive commentaries please refer to the book.

Verse 58
---------
Mithahara is defined as agreeable and sweet food leaving one-fourth of the stomach free and eaten (as an offering to please shiva).

Verse 59
--------
The foods which are prohibited (for the yogi) are: which are bitter, sour, pungent, salty, heating, green vegetables (other than those ordained), sour gruel, oil, sesame and mustard, alcohol, fish, flesh foods, curds, buttermilk, horse gram, fruit of jujube, oil cakes, aesofodita and garlic.

Verse 60
--------
Unhealthy diet should not be taken, that which is reheated after becoming cold, which is dry (devoid of natural oil), which is excessively salty or acidic, stale or has too many (mixed) vegetables.

Verse 62
--------
(The most conducive food for the yogi are :) good grains, wheat, rice, barley, milk, ghee, brown sugar, sugar candy, honey, dry ginger, patola fruit (species of cucumber), five vegetables (types of leafy vegetables similar to spinach), mung and such pulses and pure water.

Verse 63
--------
The yogi should take nourishing and sweet food mixed with ghee and milk; it should nourish and dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing and suitable.

The essence of the above verses is that food should be nourishing and devoid of elements that taxes one's sense by titilation, craving, irritation of GI system, producing gas, creating foul smell in the body and feaces, having a tendency to puterify inside the intestines, is an aphrodisiac, that which is addictive.

emily
Regular

Oct 10, 2002, 11:05 AM

Post #4 of 26 (6971 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you both for your very specific quotes from Light on Yoga and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This is truly helpful and inspiring as I start to make the transition. The big difficulty is that my husband and parents are confirmed omnivores. I am going to a nutritionist, though, so maybe that will help.

The prohibition against addictive foods would preclude caffeine as well, such as coffee, tea, chocolate. What do others think of this? I'd hate to give up my green tea...

emily

nagrajm
Regular

Oct 11, 2002, 1:32 PM

Post #5 of 26 (6939 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is an age of practical wisdom. With so much focus on health these days, every educated person CAN discriminate between what he/she should or shouldn't consume. What should guide our choice is our will, wisdom and conscience.

The questions is not so much about a choice between VEGETABLE and MEAT. I am a vegetarian myself. I am sorry to say that I have seen ill-health equally in Vegetarians and Omnivores. Being a vegetarian does not automatically guarantee good health. I have seen more vegetarians with high cholesterol and every sickness in the medical literature.

Vegetarianism has a much wider context.

- The primary among which is ahimsa or non-violence. Your gain should not be balanced by a loss to another living creature. It is tatamount to stealing.

- The second tenet of vegetarianism is nutrition. Overcooked, fried, excessively spicy, greasy VEGETARIAN food is not in the realm of VEGETARIANISM. Only certain raw vegetables and fruits are easy to assimilate in our system. Otherwise, properly cooked vegetarian food that has not lost it's vitamins and essential nutrients is ideal.

- Except that meat can provide first class protein and vitamin B12, it's consumption has disadvantages in terms of it's malefic effects on GI and cardio-vascular system. Alternatives are available in the plant kingdom and in supplements.

- Vegetarianism excludes alcohol, smoking, indiscriminate and binge eating and gluttony. In my opinion vegetarianism should not exclude milk and milk products as this is the very first food introduced by one's mother and meant by nature for humans to have.

- Vegetarianism has to do with living an active and ideal lifestyle. It has to do with honesty and truthfulness. This in itself will increase one's inner strength.

- History of earth is a proof that nature can support herbivores and omnivores equally well. Animals don't make a choice because they are driven by instinct and evolution. Humans because of their conscience can make that educated choice with wisdom.

In my opinion vegetarianism is a philosophy and a way of life.

Nagraj

(This post was edited by nagrajm on Oct 11, 2002, 1:40 PM)

shakahari
New User

Jan 10, 2003, 6:40 PM

Post #6 of 26 (6487 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello. I became a vegetarian almost as soon as I started practicing yoga because of my teacher's very convincing disussions on ahimsa and the yogoc path. I have never regretted that. I feel healtier, more energetic and it is how I met my husband! I am not a vegan (although I have cut down on dairy as of late) and I still eat onions, garlic, drink tea(and coffee occasionally) and drink a glass of red wine every so often. I beleive you need to do what you feel is right for you and not let any book or person dictate your dietary habits. Only then will you stick with it and make a personal decison what is truely WHO YOU REALLY ARE. Good luck.

emily
Regular

Jan 13, 2003, 9:34 AM

Post #7 of 26 (6365 views)
Shortcut

Red wine / alcohol [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Shakahari,

I found the red wine part of your reply very interesting. As someone who occasionally enjoys a glass of wine with dinner (maybe once per week), I've also always wondered whether occasional alcohol consumption was consistent with hatha yoga practice. Sometimes during a morning class I'll feel the worse for the glass of wine I had the night before, and then I swear off the stuff - temporarily Wink

, but mostly there is no perceptible ill effect.

I wonder what other Iyengar yogis think of alcohol consumption and what their practices are. This might be a good poll topic...

emily

(This post was edited by emily on Jan 13, 2003, 9:35 AM)

VBuxbaum
New User

Jan 14, 2003, 6:54 PM

Post #8 of 26 (6316 views)
Shortcut

Re: Red wine / alcohol [In reply to]	Can't Post

I feel that I should add a differing opinion.When I began Yoga I was vegetarian because I thought that I was supposed to be. Later when I did not feel as strong as I could be I began eating meat again. I did it slowly and it did help me regain strength and grounding. AFter experimenting with vegetarianism again for about 3 years and going back to eating meat i would have to say that vegetarianism is not for me. As a vegetarian I was too thin and oversensitive to any irritation. I also rarely drink alcohol but that is because it makes me sleepy and does nothing for me as far as interest. I will have a drink with friends but usually feel somewhat annoyed by the obligation. I don't judge moderate alcohol consumption though. For many people it helps them relax.

michellet
Enthusiast

Jan 17, 2003, 3:50 AM

Post #9 of 26 (6283 views)
Shortcut

Re: Red wine / alcohol [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just wanted to mention a great book that very thouroughly addresses a lot of health issues related to vegetarianism. (It also has an interesting 2 pages on alcohol and specifically addresses the issue (or question of red wine)pp121-123). The book is called Herbal Defense. Written by Robyn Landis.
I have been working with this book for 2 years now and have found it tremendously helpful in terms of health issues outside of (but intertwined with) my yoga practice and with my own health issues and problems. I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with questions in regards to diet!
Nameste,
michellet

dovelandscapes
New User

Apr 16, 2003, 7:47 PM

Post #10 of 26 (5513 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dear Emily,

I have the same anti-vegetarian relatives.

It seems that if you haven't got perfect health,

and eat a vegetarian diet, most people say, 'do you

think it's your diet' whilst they gorge themselves

with junk food!

yours sincerely,

Carol,(Mitchell) Cool

issiis
New User

Jun 19, 2003, 9:35 PM

Post #11 of 26 (5230 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In reply to Nagraj's post, I will have to respectfully disagree with your feelings on human's being meant by nature to drink milk. I know that is our first food given to us by our mother's, however, just as our mother's milk is made for our food, a cow's milk is made for her calf, not for human consumption.

Sara

Rob
Novice

Jun 20, 2003, 5:28 AM

Post #12 of 26 (5223 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am afraid I have to differ with Sara and others who use the argument that we should not be drinking cow's milk because it is "made for her calf, not for human consumption." I would be interested to know what food in the world is made for human consumption. At the level Sara is talking, grains and fruits are for the reproduction of plants themselves, not for human consumption. The fact is that animals and human animals have consumed other life (vegetable and animal) since life began.
Since so called 'civilization' has only existed for a micro-second in the evolution of human life on this planet I suggest looking at the eating habits of indigenous peoples is instructive. They show incredible natural wisdom and their diets have evolved in harmony with their environment over the millenia in which they themselves have evolved. Inuit people eat a diet of mostly animal products, particularly animal fat. Kalahari bushmen regard the elan antelope as the greatest luxury. Tibetan people (not indigenous, but some highly evolved spiritually) regard butter (cows' milk!) as an important part of their diet.
I fear that, in our world where most people live way above basic subsistence, and where most are hungry for any deep spiritual connection that they can find in a consumer society, food and diet have taken on the characteristics of a quasi-religion. Having studied diet for many years I can quote you high priests of low fat, of high protein, of high carbohydrate, of no grains, no meats etc etc.
There are strong arguments for being vetarian in the present world put forth by John Robbins and others.
But these are based on reasons relevant to the modern society, such as the wasteful use of resources and the inhumanity of factory farming - not on specious arguments about as cow's milk not being designed for human consumption.
My bottom line is that what we should eat is by no means a given. There are moral and scientific reasons which make the picture highly complex and we need to be making intelligent choices based on our own moral preferences together with rapidly evolving scientific information about diet.
And as a foot note, I understand that while Mr Iyengar and his family are vegetarians and don't drink alcohol, they do love coffee.

issiis
New User

Jun 20, 2003, 8:56 AM

Post #13 of 26 (5215 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Our teeth, as humans, are flat, made for plant consumption. While carnivours, lions, and tigers, and bears, etc., teeth are sharp, designed by nature to eat flesh and tear through it. What food in the world is made for human consumption? Something has to be or we would not be able to live. My "argument" wasn't an argument, it is just an opinion. I don't see how, as a human we can look at a cow's udders and say, "hey, lets eat what comes out of that." It feels a logical conclusion, to me, maybe not to others, as a cow's milk is produced only long enough to feed it's calf, just like a human mother, that it is made for it's calf, not for us.

I agree with Rob, what we eat is not a given, it is a moral choice and my moral choice is that a cow's milk is for a calf and a mother's milk is for her infant.

Sara

sonya
New User

Jul 20, 2003, 1:44 AM

Post #14 of 26 (5030 views)
Shortcut

Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with Rob and Sara - cow's milk is for calves. In addition, the cruelty involved in the modern production of milk should not be forgotten in a context of ahimsa.
In any case, vegetarianism, as has been pointed out above, does not mean automatic good health. While vegetarians are under-represented in almost all categories of modern disease (heart disease, cancers (particularly colon), osteoporosis), vegetarians are also likely to make other healthy life choices, making the health benefits of vegetarianism per se problematic.
I am vegetarian of over 10 years. I have my blood checked every few years for any deficiencies (B12, iron). So far, so good. If it wasn't, I probably would switch back to eating meat, despite all my beliefs.
- Sonya
Sonya

lotusbud
Regular

Feb 5, 2004, 5:03 PM

Post #15 of 26 (4408 views)
Shortcut

Is garlic really not good for our being or physical body? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have been a vegan for quite some time.

We each have a different body with different reasons as to why we eat a certain thing on a certain day because our particular or local invironment may determine this,our physical intuative may dicide,whether we are rich or poor ,availability or psychological reasons or difficiency or illness such as heart problems ect...will all determine what we eat.

Nutrition seems to be a highly complex and personel subject would you all not agree.

I am particularly interested as to why we should not eat garlic?
..........apart from the not so desirable smells when someone else has eaten it.

Its character is very hot,dry + pungent however its constituents have very good theraputic herbal properties both in western herbalism (antibiotic,reduce blood cholesterol levels,expectorent,reduces blood pressure,reduces blood sugar levels)and Ayurvedic medicine(in vata,kapha + pitta therapy) and has been used for over 5,000 years as a medicine.
If garlic is taken as a medicine this must be prescribed by a qualified herbalist otherwise if its eaten as in your normal meals it is to be eaten in moderation.
If you have knowledge that garlic is not so good for our being I would be very interested as I am living to learn in life + to guide my physical body or to be guided by my body as best I can.
prayers + blessings for the nature that provides our food
happy eating

lotusbud
Regular

Feb 8, 2004, 3:56 PM

Post #16 of 26 (4378 views)
Shortcut

Hathayogapradipika [In reply to]	Can't Post

After my recent inquiry about garlic whereby I have had an interest of herbalism for quite some time, I have read and absorbed a little of Hathayogapradipika of Svatmarama.
I appreciate and respect that much of the text is a method and instruction for a more commited and advanced Yogin unlike myself .
Although after following chapter 1.59 with my curiosity I will change my diet without garlic for a while in the and note any changes in my being.
I also read that it is important to drink enough proportional water with our digested food.
Perhaps this will also keep our blood light and oxygenated as well as the transportation for our nutrients.
leaving on a note of one of my daily vedic verses that was emailed to me today quote:
That water thought: 'May I be many; may I grow forth.' It created food(i.e. earth). That is why, whenever it rains anywhere, abundant food is produced. From water alone is edible food produced.

Sama Veda, Chandogya Upanishad VI, II - Brahman: the Cause of the Universe, 4

(This post was edited by lotusbud on Feb 8, 2004, 3:59 PM)

lincoln
New User

Mar 10, 2004, 11:37 PM

Post #17 of 26 (4235 views)
Shortcut

Re: Is garlic really not good for our being or physical body? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Lotusbud,in answer to your garlic question my understanding is that garlic is a rajasic food and has negative effects on the mind and from a practical point of view i can agree with that,if i eat some heavilly garlicked food such as garlic bread i notice some time later that my mind is "irritated " and the taste is always there in my mouth sending signals to the brain long after consumption and i guess its this effect that is deemed to be unhealthy.

In Reply To

Nadia
Enthusiast

Mar 11, 2004, 6:02 PM

Post #18 of 26 (4212 views)
Shortcut

Re: Is garlic really not good for our being or physical body? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have been watching this thread for quite a while; from vegetarianism to red wine, to cowsmilk and now garlic...

I've been going go yoga for about a year now, and have fallen in love with it, but I also have a love for good food, healthy and delicious Tongue

. Everybody is free to like or dislike what they please, but saying that garlic is not good for our being or physical body is rediculous. Too much of anything is bad. If garlic makes you feel sick or you just don't like it, that's fine, but as a general rule, I think that garlic in moderation can only be good for your health, and it gives certain foods a delicious flavour. Here is a link to an article outlining the benefits of garlic:

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/comp/herb/articles/0,,181042_183722,00.html

I don't think that food needs to be seen in such a complicated way. Generally, if something is bad for you, you can feel it. So eat what you enoy, and what feels healthy. Dont make a decision based just on something you've read in a book, even if Iyengar says it, because the yogi diet that was outlined by nagrajm at the beginning of this thread actually sounded really unhealthy to me. Maybe I just don't know enough about it to judge, but I don't understand how somebody can be healthy on a diet like that!

Bon apetit!

mjwielobob
New User

Mar 13, 2004, 3:17 AM

Post #19 of 26 (4186 views)
Shortcut

antivege-relatives, garlick, wine /Re: Vegetarianism? [In reply to]	Can't Post

dear Dovelandscapes and Emily

the "antivegetarian" relatives Wink

are not only your problem

my mother and father accepted my diet, my wife also, but she sometimes makes some commentaries
but my mother-in-law wants to do good for me agiast myself and she cook meat for, because as she says "meat gives strenght"
it's an absurd for me, because I after coverting to vegetariansm I feel much better and stronger as well, but some people want to make you happy against your will

regarding garlick IMHO - it's healthy, but in reasonable quantities
my experience is that in small amounts, especially when I began to be ill, it's very congenial for my organism - but when I eat it too much, my stomach goes on strike Wink

...wine. I think that red dry wine is good for ou organism, but *definitely* not before yoga pratice

best regards,
Maciej.

dana_w
New User

Mar 13, 2004, 2:00 PM

Post #20 of 26 (4180 views)
Shortcut

Diet changes [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am very new to yogic practices and have only recently begun to think about altering my diet to aid in my physical and spiritual growth. However, I do believe that consuming alcohol in any of its many forms has a negative affect on our bodies...any food or drink that alters, even slightly, our thinking patterns and restricts oxygen to the brain should not be consumed. As far as consuming Garlic�I see no reason why it should not be consumed in moderation it has various medicinal qualities that can effectively be utilized.

My question is �for someone beginning a diet change gradually that is already iron deficient like myself cutting out meat completely seems like a very daunting task. Any advice or reading material specifically related to this that one could suggest would be greatly appreciated

Dana Smile

lotusbud
Regular

Mar 14, 2004, 1:34 PM

Post #21 of 26 (4158 views)
Shortcut

Garlic-distractions to the indepth sessions of yoga [In reply to]	Can't Post

I realise now that certain foods such as garlic may distract the indepth sessions of yoga.
So I need to reduce the distractons best I can as a result from my diet which is as important if not more than the outward distractions.
Also I have to concentrate and feel what is happening with the action not be sensing the remnant tastes of the food to get any real acheivements from the yoga practise.
I try and avoid foods that are gassy,resulting in flatulence.I find it distracting and being a vegan its sometimes difficult.

(This post was edited by lotusbud on Mar 14, 2004, 1:39 PM)

lincoln
New User

Mar 14, 2004, 10:39 PM

Post #22 of 26 (4148 views)
Shortcut

Re: Diet changes [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dana_w ,lack of iron can be a problem for veggies and to be honest i cheat a little and take a multi vitamin tablet that has the RDA of iron in it,i'm not entirely sure its a very yogic way of getting my iron but i feel OK.I also eat copious amounts of spinich mainly in raw form in salads ,its full of iron and has many other benfits.

sonya
New User

Mar 20, 2004, 6:27 AM

Post #23 of 26 (4110 views)
Shortcut

Re: Diet changes [In reply to]	Can't Post

Good luck with the spinach, although research shows that the form iron takes in vegetable sources is not readily available for the human body to take up - haem (blood) iron such as that found in red meat is more available.
If anyone is unsure about whether they are getting enough nutrients from their current vegetarian diet, the most precise way to tell is to get a simple blood test done.

And, what is curious to me, I went vegetarian many years before taking up yoga, which seems to be the opposite way around from most people in this discussion!
Sonya

mjwielobob
New User

Mar 20, 2004, 1:17 PM

Post #24 of 26 (4104 views)
Shortcut

Re: Diet changes [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

to be honest i cheat a little and take a multi vitamin tablet (...)i'm not entirely sure its a very yogic way of getting my iron but i feel OK.

I also take mutlimineral/multivitamin suplements - I don't know if it's yogic as you say, but it's very hard to get all minerals and vitamins you need only from food
for example you need so much betacarotene that you should eat about 2-4 kg of carrots everyday ;-)

lotusbud
Regular

Apr 21, 2004, 3:49 PM

Post #25 of 26 (3976 views)
Shortcut

beta carotene + whats natural to eat [In reply to]	Can't Post

Their is a special carrot diet for the high intake of beta carotene because of its anti cancerous properties but my skin may begin to look a little orange if I ate that many carrots every day.
I have taken Spiralina or Chlorella in the past for a health tonic and to help build red blood cells with additional supplements such as Beta Carotene,Omega 3-6, Zinc, Selenium + many other vitamins and minerals.
If I am not getting enough from my foods and because im a vegan I have to be aware of my intake of amino acids which are the building blocks of the proteins which I also get from the nuts, soya, variety of dried peas and beans.
The added supplements has suited me at the time + circumstances of health to increase my energy levels but I tend NOT to take these consistently throughout the year.
Joyous of cooking and eating.

(This post was edited by lotusbud on Apr 21, 2004, 3:52 PM)

1 2

View All

Search for (options)