We have all heard the saying “your body is your temple”. This popular adage raises some interesting questions: exactly what type of temple is it? And what and how do I worship here? From a yogic perspective, our bodies are manifestations of prana (life force energy). To respect and make best use of our individual and unique bodies, an essential form of “worship” is to keep our temple clean.
The essential idea of saucha, or the yoga of purity, is to commit to practices that have a purifying effect on our bodies and minds. In addition to emphasizing the importance of a regular asana and pranayama practice, saucha is about paying attention to what we eat, how we eat, the state of our homes, and of our minds.
Clean Your Plate
We can do hours of yoga everyday, but if we eat poorly and pollute our bodies, we are counteracting the cleansing benefits of our practice. Proper diet is the bedrock of a yoga practice that will bring about real transformation and well-being. The yoga of purity means we need to take a good look at our eating habits.
Whole Foods
In general, a good yogic diet (and good all-around diet) should contain no processed or refined foods or sugar. Cooking can be an enjoyable, even meditative activity. Focus on eating as many whole grains, fruits and vegetables as possible.
Eat Meat?
In terms of the meat debate, the traditional yogic diet is vegetarian. However, the best indication of what you need is to listen to your body. When you are at a restaurant or in the grocery store, try to “turn off your brain” and let your instincts guide you to the food your body needs. Once you begin “clean” eating, you will find your cravings for unhealthy foods vastly diminished.
Mindful Eating
Another important yoga practice is to notice how you eat. We often eat way too fast and chew too little. This impedes proper digestion and can lead to digestive troubles. Also, the yoga of purity ask us to notice our state of mind when we eat: are we even aware of what we are putting in our mouths and of all the joyous and subtle tastes? Many times we are either thinking about something else, or we’re distracted by watching TV or reading a magazine. Try slowing down, chewing properly and being present to the experience of eating.
Clean Home Clear Mind
Practising the yoga of purity also invites us to look at the interplay between inner and outer environments and surroundings. As someone who often works at home, I experience the direct correlation between a messy home and a cluttered mind, finding it much easier to write when my desk is tidy. And in terms of your home-based yoga practice, it is probably safe to assume that a clean yoga space means a more consistent practice.
Letting your personal space get really messy is also a window into your state of mind. Is this a reflection of stress, depression, over-commitment or simply moving too fast through life? Reflect on this and find your own yogic lesson hidden within.
Come back to your inner and outer practice of conscious awareness and purity in your living and eating habits. Do so, and you will be rewarded with a gleaming temple!