(Or: How Not to Fight Your Stomach While Trying to Find Enlightenment)
The ancient yogis didn’t invent Wi-Fi, but they definitely mastered the art of eating without suffering.
They understood something modern nutrition is finally admitting — what you eat directly controls how you think, feel, sleep, age, and even how patient you are in traffic.
This is where the Three Gunas come in.
The Three Gunas – Your Inner Control Panel
Everything in the universe (including you and your fridge) is influenced by three natural forces:
Guna | Controls | What it makes you feel like |
Sattva | Purity & clarity | Calm, happy, focused |
Rajas | Activity & stimulation | Restless, ambitious, spicy-loving |
Tamas | Inertia & dullness | Lazy, sleepy, confused |
Your food decides which button gets pressed daily.
What Is a Sattvic Diet?
A Sattvic diet is the yogic gold standard — light, fresh, plant-based food that your stomach understands without filing a complaint.
Sattvic Foods Include:
- Whole grains
- Lentils & legumes
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Nuts & seeds
- Freshly prepared meals
These foods:
- Digest easily
- Increase energy
- Calm the mind
- Improve sleep
- Support weight loss naturally
Basically, your body says “Thank you” instead of “Why did you do this to me?”
Important Yogic Food Rules (Your Stomach Will Applaud)
✔ Eat fresh food
✔ Avoid reheated, canned, or stale meals
✔ Don’t drink water during or immediately after meals
✔ Drink buttermilk instead — your digestive fire will smile politely
✔Eat till your stomach is 80% full
Your stomach is a peaceful monk. Don’t disturb it with cold cola.
Why Yogis Avoid Meat
Heavy foods take more energy to digest, which means:
More digestion = Less energy for healing, thinking, meditation, and inner glow.
Cold countries may use meat for warmth, but yogic practice builds inner heat (Agni) — so no animals are needed for your body to stay warm.
Your soul prefers plants.
Your digestion agrees.
Rajasic Foods – The “Too Much Masala” Department
Spicy, sour, salty, pungent foods belong here.
They cause:
- Restlessness
- Anger
- Sleeplessness
- Emotional drama
- Sudden desire to argue on WhatsApp
Occasional enjoyment is fine. Daily use turns your mind into a coffee-powered squirrel.
Tamasic Foods – The “Netflix & Numbness” Diet
Includes:
- Reheated food
- Canned food
- Alcohol
- Excess sugar
- Preserved cheese & processed junk
Effects:
- Lethargy
- Low motivation
- Foggy mind
- Spiritual buffering… loading…
Your body is alive. These foods behave like they don’t.
Healing Spices – Food That Works Like Medicine
Use wisely:
Ginger, garlic, ghee, tulsi, amla, turmeric, cumin, cardamom & fennel
They balance:
- Prana (life force)
- Agni (digestive fire)
- Your mood
- Your immunity
Daily Yogic Meal Schedule at Santhi Yogashram
Time | What Happens |
7:30 am | Tea |
10:00 am | Brunch |
1:00 pm | Juice/ Fruits |
4:30 pm | Herbal tea |
6:00 pm | Light dinner |
Benefits:
- Yoga on empty stomach
- Better digestion
- Deep sleep
- More energy
- Less belly, more glow
Athletes may eat more.
Avoid this routine during illness — healing needs fuel.
Final Truth
You don’t need extreme dieting, starvation, or emotional battles with food.
Just eat Sattvic —
and your body, mind, and even your patience will quietly improve.
Your stomach will bow to you.
Your mind will become your friend.
Your yoga will finally start working.
