Sattva: An Exploration

A few months ago, the Yoga Loft introduced a fresh approach to their usual Ashtanga yoga classes – Sattva yoga. Before talking specifically about the class, it's important to discuss the meaning of sattva, a Hindu term meaning a number of things. Sattva is literally translated as pure, but also has a unique place in Hindu philosophy. All events in daily life consist of three states of being: rajas, tamas, and sattva. Rajas is action or desire, tamas is inactivity or resistance, and sattva is balance or purity.

Every person has experienced these 3 states of being, which can be most easily recognized as states of mind. Rajas is comparable to compulsion, like the desire for a new pair of shoes. Tamas is comparable to procrastination, like the avoidance of chores. Sattva is comparable to ease, like the spending time on your favorite activity. While rajas and tamas are inevitable parts of daily life, the underlying goal for all people is achieving sattva, states of ease, which are also comparable to bliss and joy. Some people attempt to achieve sattva by actively pursing tamas and rajas in combination, but this often proves to be difficult.

The Sattva class commences with asana (physical postures) to bring health, balance and energy within the body. The specific hatha postures taught in Sattva are a preparatory stage of physical purification that will render the body fit and comfortable for the practices of pranayama and meditation.  It is said that if one can master breath then the mastery of mind is within reach. Sattva attempts to cultivate balance within the practitioner moving us towards realizing our authentic self or our true nature.

By allowing the practice to unfold slowly, sattvic yoga attempts to take an integrated approach, suitable for all levels of yogis. The added emphasis on breathing and meditation also allows practitioners to explore yoga more explicitly as a calming or stilling practice. The response thus far has been phenomenal, and I expect that the sattva class will continue to grow in popularity with it's gentle approach to the foundations of yoga.

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Sattvic Diet: Bringing Peace and Balance to the Mind

The Sattvic diet energizes and nourishes the body and mind, maintaining a peaceful state. A Sattvic or Yoga diet is traditionally classified according to its effect on the body and the mind by balancing the 3 Gunas. The 3 gunas, as mentioned above, are Sattvic, Rajastic & Tamasic. These are universal principles that can also be applied to food:

• Sattvic food promotes clarity and calmness of mind and is favourable for spiritual growth. It is "sweet, fresh and agreeable" and includes most fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, whole grains, honey, pure water and  milk (with the reservation that commercially produced milk may not nowadays be so sattvic...). Given the amount of pesticides and chemical fertilisers used on commercial crops, only organic products still qualify as Sattvic, and tinned or frozen food do not qualify either.
• Rajasic food feeds the body, but promotes activity and therefore induces restlessness of mind. It disturbs the equilibrium of the mind and is generally to be avoided by yoga practioners. Rajasic foods include most spicy foods, stimulants like coffee and tea, eggs, garlic, onion, meat, fish and chocolate, as well as most processed food. Eating too fast or with a disturbed mind is also considered rajasic. Rajasic food should be avoided by those whose aim is peace of mind, but will benefit people with an active lifestyle. A little rajasic food can be sattvic, for example, hot spices can help digestion, and therefore help create peace of mind.
• Tamasic food (to be avoided)  induces heaviness of the body and dullness of the mind, and ultimately benefits neither. It  includes alcohol, as well as food that is stale or overripe.  Overeating is also tamasic. The traditional advice is to fill the stomach half with food, one quarter with water, leaving the last quarter empty

There are many approaches to healthy eating. Eating the right food in the right amount and in the right combination can be difficult. Following are some Sattvic recepies from renowned Sattvic/Vegetarian Chef Patti who cooks for the Sattvic Yoga workshops (please see workshop section below) and for the Practitioner Development program (for those of you who are interested in learning more about the Sattvic diet.)

For more information on Sattvic eating, please follow these links -

http://www.thelivingcentre.com /index.php?section=articles .view.28

http://www.yogachicago.com /jan05/diet.shtml

From an article orginally written for Yoga online by Christophe Mouze

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Patty's Pantry: Chai

Chai, for 4 servings

• 4 cups soy milk
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 cardomen pods
• 2 clove pods
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tbsp earl grey tea
• 8 fennel seeds

Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, strain spices and tea and enjoy!

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Asian Noodle Soup ( Serves 4 people )

• 1 knob of ginger
• 1 stalk of lemon grass
• 1 pkg of noodles (Udon or Soba)
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. Sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 4 cups of water
• 1 pkg of firm tofu
• 2 carrots
• 5 mushrooms of your choice
• 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 1 lime
• 1 cup bean sprouts
  

1. In a saucepan add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, lime leaves and water and let come to a boil and then simmer
2. Cut lemon grass on an angle and punch the side of it with a knife, add to liquid
3. Slice carrots simmer for about 20 minutes until carrots are tender.
4. Meanwhile slice mushrooms of your choice and saute in a separate pan and add to soup
5. Slice tofu and basil and set aside.
6. Add tofu and noodles, chop ginger in a fine dice and add for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
7. Serve in bowls adding bean sprouts, basil & lime as garnish.

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Vegetable Korma (Serves 4)

• 1 pkg  tofu      
• 4 cloves
• 2 cup  green beans    
• 1 cup  cashews     
• 8 green cardamom
• 1  large yam     
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp ground ging
• 1 ½ cup plain yogurt    
• 3 chili's (rajasic, but use for taste if desired)
• 1/4 cup oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 2cup  vegetable stock
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ cup fresh cilantro

1. Season tofu and saute in oil until golden brown on both sides
2. Puree chili's together in a food processor and whisk the yogurt
3. Heat the oil and add the pureed onions to the pan until golden for about 10-12 minutes, add the cloves, cardamoms & cinnamon followed by the turmeric powder.
4. Add the yam, garlic infusion, ginger powder & yogurt and let simmer, covered for 30 minutes or until yam is tender.
5. Then add stock green beans, cashews & tofu with salt and pepper
6. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro

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Upcoming Workshops

Sattva Workshop in Edmonton - May 25th - May 27th: The Yoga Loft

Sattva Workshop in Calgary - May 19th and 20th: World Tree Studio

Sattva Workshop in Canmore - June 8th - June 10th: The Yoga Lounge

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Yoga Renewals for Spring by Robindra, your Friendly Neighbourhood Yogi

To read more, just click on any of the Renewals!

10 Bring A Friend

9 Ask More Questions

8 Go on a Cleanse

7 Connect with nature daily

6 Give

5 Let Go of expectations and have fun!

4 Set your intentions

3 The Art of Allowing

2 Community

1 BE CONSISTENT

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