Ashtanga and diet: David Garrigues on diet (pt 1)

In this Ashtanga Discussion Room David Garrigues discusses the types of foods that are in the Yogic diet and how to use the food to the maximum advantage in your daily Ashtanga yoga practice.

[@2011ariesrules]

I started Yoga a month ago just naturally after being a runner and I seem to work well at it fasted, If I eat I feel myself weighted down and loose the connection of my breath. It effects my practice. Diet does play such an important role in the practise for sure. Thank-you for sharing your wisdom :)

[@abiose_rocks]

thank you for this. I have just started a new part of my journey. venturing into teaching. and my Guru is Kino MG; and I have been inspired by her for so many years. this is the first time I am venturing out into viewing other teachers; such as yourself. I am staying close to the centre (KMG) as much as possible; but venturing into other teachers. Thank you for this teaching. Light! Photoshopping! :) Namaste. Thank you!!!!!! my Big Guru...

[@tedoymisojos]

:) anti-thesis of the paleo diet. Grains in the center! Made me smile.

[@saraorella651]

Great analogy, focus on the center in food choices and practice. 👍🏼

[@Frost571]

Beautifully said David

[@frettls]

David, I love the reference to "Center or Near to Center". I'v been vegan for about 13 or so years in all its creative expressions. We'v always used a high raw as a Base or Center But still love the creative and social part of some good ol cooked veg food.

[@dr.hasanhabiburrahaman1553]

Great !

[@Heal2Inspire]

Love grains but where are the greens? Can't go without greens. Happy to not have meat, dairy, processed foods. Organic blueberries, chia seeds, kale, dandelion, carrot tops, celery juice, brown rice, chickpeas, beans, sprouts, whole foods. Basic clean organic if possible. Plantbased makes me feel best, have been eating this way for nearly 5 years and love it with my yoga practice 💗

[@BhPriya]

In his interview Sri K. Pattabhi Jois mentioned that onion and garlic are also not good for yoga.

[@jacquelinedella-santa2451]

Hi David, Do you adopt this diet that you recommend? I very much value your advice. Thank you.

[@davidgarrigues]

YES!! The only difference between my diet in this video and my diet now is that I have a cup of miso soup with my dinner every night...Red, brown, or barley miso but other than that the chart i talk about it in this video is my guide. I do plan on coming out with a recipe book at some point. I just haven't gotten around to it yet because i've been working on my primary series book. Thank you for watching and commenting. David

[@stewart1969]

I find my practice is best on a high fruit diet (grains seem to inflame me).

[@esr1952]

Same for me, high fruit, raw or mostly raw vegan diet. iIve recently started adding chia seeds to my green smoothies and I can feel the difference. Also, having a variety of greens and veggies.

[@paul1mdrn]

Hello David , does CBD or mystical plants during yoga or meditation enhance the experience?

[@celiacioffi5109]

Thank you!

[@theWellSeasonedWoman]

I do best on a vegetarian diet in the hotter months but really need some animal foods in winter (I source from pastured animals, not industrial ones). I do have a raw dairy source (also pastured animals). I get anxious and weak without them. I don't eat a lot of grains (they made me fat). Not interested in veganism at all, as a Vata Pitta (or Pitta Vata) natured person, including animal foods is critical for balancing me. A vegan diet is really only good for Kapha natured people or those with a Kapha imbalance. I've noticed that those who follow a vegan diet that isn't appropriate for them tend towards physical and psychological problems...

[@espressotruths]

What about various kinds of lettuce and spinach? And why do you emphasize tomatoes being cooked?

[@zeviter]

Regarding tomatoes, i guess the reason is the acidity, it was mentioned in this interview. So tomatoes are recommended to be *slow*-cooked. I actually confirm it from my own experience that eating cooked tomatoes brings less distortion to my mind and yoga practice than raw tomatoes.

[@celiacioffi5109]

Hi David, I truly enjoy your wisdom and teaching of yoga in all aspects of life. I have two questions for you. If I practice in the morning on an empty stomach, I feel dizzy... What can be done about it? Secondly, how do you feel about homemade keifir? Is it way out there? Thank you for sharing... Namaste

[@Sofi_CraftsandMore35]

As a fellow practicing yogi - I have the same experience - drinking a cup of coffee helps me. Normalizes my blood sugar which tends to be very low in the am. I find that I also tend not to eat till about an hour after my practice. Have to experiment and see what works for you.

[@surrected4526]

What about sea vegetables? ~~Also, does one have to follow the Yogic diet to practice at your studio in Philly? In other words, is it recommended or mandatory?

[@noinspiration2185]

Why are frozen fruits on the outer circle?

[@robertjahn4190]

Interesting conversation, but that diet would not work for me. I need greens and some meat. I try to use grains sparingly.

[@dennisadler2049]

here i sit watching this having a beer and a big mac :-D

[@studhunt7]

If you are concerned with the Prana why are you cooking your food? Where are my fellow fruitarian yogis??

[@theWellSeasonedWoman]

some foods (including vegetables) have "antinutrients" that interfere with nutrient absorption; cooking is required to disable those antinutrients. seeds need to be soaked until sprouted to unlock their nutrients, fibrous veggies are often better cooked as we are not designed to digest insoluble fiber (unlike ruminant animals). some foods are actually toxic unless properly prepared. and fruit does not provide all the nutrients needed for human health - we are not fruit eating monkeys.

[@theWellSeasonedWoman]

what is your degree in? are you a nutrition expert? I am an Ayurvedic professional and a longtime yoga practitioner (20+ years of practice and teaching). if you have research that has been indexed on PubMed (and is not merely "popular" press) then post it. there is ample actual science showing that certain nutrients cannot be accessed easily from plant sources. besides, our human ancestors were omnivores. you have to go back to our common ape ancestors to find the vegans, and they were not humans who created cities, wrote books, or taught yoga. Good luck with your fruit diet.

[@vistacruiser70s]

A turtleback now and then doesn't hurt as long as it taken from Columbia Center Blvd.

[@sunnyt4493]

Onions are not sattvic

[@amith0tube]

Don't forget Ghee and Milk

[@Mike9201984]

QUINOA

[@abiose_rocks]

saytan? satan? lol! honestly what was that? at 1:40

[@jbates725]

ABIOSE ROCKS seitan, cooked wheat gluten

[@theWellSeasonedWoman]

Justin Hunt, perfect ahimsa is impossible - if you harm yourself with your diet you violate that law. and how do YOU justify the taking of plant life? seeds are for making new plants. or do you devalue the intelligence and contribution of the plant kingdom to the web of all life? we must make choices and some die to provide life for others (look to the Upanishads for the citation - we are made from food and when we die we become food for others). David presents one traditional dietary choice in order to advance those who wish to follow the traditional yogic path. there are other paths that can be ethically followed, if your diet works for you then follow it but it would not work for me. and cite your scientifically valid sources for what you say. you are the one making invalid arguments here, disrespecting DG and his calm reasoned presentation based on the teachings of a traditional teacher.