Mitahara

Balancing our food

- Shri Yatin Vora

सु स्निग्ध मधुराहारश्चतुर्थांश विवर्जितः । भुज्यते शिव सम्प्रीत्यै मिताहारः स उच्यते ॥

Susnighdha-MadhuraharaschaturthamshaVivarjitaḥ|

Bhujyate Siva-Samprityai Mitaharaḥ Sa Uchyate ||

Abstemious feeding is that in which 3/4 of hunger is satisfied with food, well cooked with ghee and sweets, and eaten with the offering of it to Śiva.

This Shloka of Chapter 1 of Hatha Yoga Pradipika talks about food habits. A wellbalanced nutritious diet has a huge impact on our physical and mental well-being.

Mitahara is a Sanskrit combination of two words, Mita (moderate) and Ahara (taking food) which literally means the habit of moderate food. It is also a Yogic concept that integrates awareness about food, drink, balanced diet, consumption habits and its effect on one's body and mind. In simple words, it is called Yogic Nutrition and Mindful Eating. Excessive eating can cause obstacles in the path of yoga such as Vyadhi or Alasya i.e., disease or laziness. It is also considered as one of the Badhak Tattva which causes failure in practicing yoga.

Mitahara is discussed in the Shandilya Upanishad, Taittiriya Upanishad and the Bhagavad Gita. It states that a Yogi must neither eat too much nor too little, neither sleep too much nor too little.