# Class Six - Food **1) How does Master Swatmarama summarize the purpose of the asanas after he has finished presenting them all?** Master Swatmarama summarizes the purpose of the asanas by saying that, if we utilize them, then we can undertake all the subsequent practices without fatigue; and that these practices will then function to purify our inner channels.  The “subsequent practices” he lists are the seals; treatments; futher asanas; and capsules. **2) What are the four progressive steps that Yogi Swatmarama lays forth for our “exploration of the inner rivers”?  Explain each step, in brief.** He says that we should (1) give up sexual activity, (2) eat in moderation, (3) renounce worldly activities, and (4) devote ourselves to the practice of yoga.   In a practical sense, we begin to limit our sexual activity, undertaking brief and then longer periods of celibacy.  This is a prelude to learning to use this energy in a higher way.  We experiment with eating less, being careful to go slowly, and get input from others about how it affects our behavior.  We begin to cut back on the busy-ness of our life, so that we can assure a modest but very regular daily practice of yoga, meditation, study, and the service of others. **3) What three parts to “eating moderately” are listed by Yogi Swatmarama?** He says that (1) our food should be cooked thoroughly; (2) that it should not be too heavy; and (3) that it should not be too great a quantity—and that for this and higher purposes we should before eating set aside a quarter of our food as an offering to the Angels. **4) Give a list of some general principles behind the foods that the yogi Swatmarama says are unhealthy for our yoga practice.** The yogi Swatmarama lists foods that are (1) difficult to digest; (2) which leave an undesirable taste in the mouth; (3) which give the body an undesirable odor; (4) which might trigger a wind condition; (5) intoxicants, which may inhibit our healthy inhibitions that help us avoid negative actions; (6) foods which are produced by hurting others, thus creating negative karma and violent propensities which will hurt our yoga; (7) foods which create excess phlegm or congestion; (8) foods that might make us overly thirsty; (9) foods which create flatulence. **5) What does the yogi Swatmarama say about fasting?  Give the Sanskrit word that he uses to describe the effects of extreme fasting, and explain it briefly.** He quotes the Mahasiddha Goraksha to the effect that we should avoid extreme practices such as excessive fasting and “any other acts which are simple harassment of our precious body,” although this is not to say that responsible fasting is not an important spiritual and cleansing practice.  The Sanskrit for this harassment of the body is kayaklesha (ka#yakles*a). Kaya here means body, and we see it in the names of the bodies of an enlightened being, such as the nirmana kaya (body of emanation) and the dharma kaya (body of ultimate reality). Klesha means damaging or hurting; it comes from the root √klish (klis*), to distress, and the English word holly (a prickly plant) is related. **6) Name your favorite five among the foods which Master Swatmarama specifically recommends as being desirable for yogis.  Describe how he qualifies eating these foods, giving the relevant Sanskrit.** Choose any five of the following: (1) whole wheat, (2) rice, or (3) barley, cooked in a pleasing way, as in a porridge of rice and milk; (4) milk itself, (5) butter—whether clarified or fresh; (6) sugar (in very small amounts, rock sugar, taken as a pick-up);  (7) honey; (8) ginger and fine cooked greens of squashes and the rest; (9) mung beans and similar vegetables; and (10) simple fresh water. Although these are recommended foods, they still must be eaten in a self-controlled way, not excessively, and with extreme sensitivity towards their effect on ones practice.  The Sanskrit word here for “self-controlled” is yamindra (yami#ndra).  Indra (indra) means here sense powers, while √yam is a root meaning restrained or self-controlled; it is of course the source of the words yama and niyama, as forms of ethical self-control. **7) Name some of the general principles behind the foods which are desirable for our practice of both physical and spiritual yoga.** Given especially that the diet of a yogi must be non-violent, very special attention must be placed on foods which contain a high protein content.  Sources of necessary vitamins and minerals are important, in the form of fresh dark greens (cooked or in salads if not difficult to digest).  In the very common instance of the yogi being susceptible to a wind condition, foods which are grounding are highly desirable: those with a high oil content, like ghee or corn chips.  Light pick-me-ups such as vegan jellybeans or sweetened herbal tea are desirable during longish periods during the day when the yogi is avoiding food in order to better practice asanas or meditation. **8) What are the last two qualities that Yogi Swatmarama recommends in the food that we eat?  Include the Sanskrit for these two.** In his final words on the food that a yogi should eat, Swami Swatmarama says that we should choose from the healthy foods he has listed “foods which we personally enjoy eating” and “which suit our particular bodily needs.”  The Sanskrit word for the first term here is manobhilashita (manobhilas%ita), which is made of two parts: manas, meaning mind, and abhilashita, meaning to enjoy.  The second term is yogya (yogya), here meaning fitting or suitable to our particular body. **9) Master Swatmarama mentions the key that will allow even the following people to attain high spiritual goals: the young, middle-aged, and elderly; those with some kind of disease or other physical problem; and those who are physically weak or lack much energy.  What is this key?** He says that all these people can attain high spiritual goals with their yoga if they apply themselves to a regular practice. **10) What are two methods which Master Swatmarama says will not bring us success in our yogic practice?** He says that just reading books about yoga practice, and taking on the physical appearance of a yogi, are not going to bring us our goals.  This is of course not to say that we haven’t already been advised to study in the three different ways (comparative study, listening to the teachings, and recitation and memorization), for they are a part of our commitments.