Ahara Yoga: Yogic food habits

How should the food be? 

Ayurveda says Hita bhug, Mita bhug and Rrta Bhug, which means, consuming nourishing food (which increases life, strength, health and happiness), in appropriate quantities, which has been earned by honest and truthful means. 

 

Ayurveda also talks about Rutu charya which means consuming seasonal food to maintain good health. So, Ahara Yoga is this appropriateness and balance in food habits resulting in health and harmony.

Five dimensions of Poorna Yoga

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।

युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥ गीता ६- १७॥

Seventeenth Shloka of this chapter gives us five dimensions of Yoga. Namely; 

* Ahara Yoga,
* Vihara Yoga, 
* Vyavahara Yoga, 
* Vichara Yoga and 
* Bhavana Yoga.

This shloka reinforces the earlier message of avoiding extremes and to maintain a balance in Ahara (food) and Vihara (entertainment), Ceshta (activity to achieve well being and remove suffering) and Karma (skillful actions), Swapna (sleep) and Avabodha (wakefulness) leading to the resolution of all miseries in one's life.

One can become a complete yogi in other words "Poorna Yogi", by practicing these five dimensions of Yoga.