'Ayu' means 'Life', and 'Veda' means 'Knowledge'. Hence, knowledge of our life is called 'Ayurveda'. This science elaborates many lifestyle patterns.

Ayurveda is conducive to the path of Yoga. It helps us to understand the nature of our body – what kinds of foods are suited for us, what kind of a lifestyle is suitable for us. After all, a healthy mind follows a healthy body.

‘Vinapi bheshajair vyadhi pathyadeva nivarthathe; Na tu pathyaviheenasya bheshajaanaam shatairapi’ - ‘One can eliminate the disease just by following an appropriate diet and lifestyle, even without the help of medicines. But healing is not possible even with proper medicines, if one neglects the aspect of food and routine’.

There is an ancient saying that the food we eat affects the mind. A proper balanced diet would take us deeper in our practice of yoga asanas. The food, we consume, affects our mind: our perception, observation, and expression of the world around us.

Following an ayurvedic lifestyle would help you to progress faster on the path of yoga. It leads to a holistic understanding of yoga – a healthy body, as well as a mind free from distortions and disharmony.

Doshas

According to ayurveda, our body is standing on a tripod of elements - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In a balanced state, they act as building blocks. When in a state of imbalance, the three elements harm the body.

Ayurveda has two ways to heal the body:
• Through food
• Through herbal plants (herbal medicine)

Want to balance the elements (doshas) in your body?

To have proper balance in your body, you have to take attention on the kind of food you are eating, the time of your meal, your routine and lifestyle. These are some main guidelines which will help you to achieve balance in your body and mind.

Food and You

Following a few simple rules could help you to have a balanced lifestyle.

• Follow a vegetarian diet.
• Sleep early and get up early in the morning.
• Follow discipline.
• Do not eat anything before sunrise, and after sunset as far as possible.
• After each meal, gargle 11 times with normal water.

A vegetarian diet will help you to go deeper in your yoga practices.

Some general tips

• Drink 4 glasses of water after you wake up in the morning
• If you are doing yoga practices daily, then drink 4- 5 liters of water
• Breakfast: 8:00 am - 9:00 am
• Lunch: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Juices or coconut water: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Dinner: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Drink water half an hour before food, or in little amounts between meals
• Do not drink water immediately after meals
• Avoid food and water after 8:00 pm
• Sleep before 11:00 pm
• Wake up in Brahma muhrata ( 4:00 am - 6:00 am), and practice yoga and meditation

After 30 -32 years of age, everybody can consume three Triphala tablets at night. It sets right all the three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha in the body.

Triphala eliminates toxins from the body and maximizes anti- oxidization in the body.