Vegetarian Information

There are many beliefs and myths about what one should do to become a Yoga teacher. Some Yoga teacher organizations do make official statements in regard to Yoga teacher ethics; and diet is included, sometimes.

However, if you teach Yoga, should you be a vegan? Are dairy foods and eggs okay? What about goats, chicken, or fish? Yes, some Yoga teachers do eat goat, but not beef. Some people still claim that fish feel no pain, but I never heard that from a Yogi. Are you confused? What is right and what is wrong?

Firstly, let’s step back a second. What you were taught about your religion and diet should be followed. This is for your spiritual health. You will feel more at ease, and you can live with it. Maybe Yoga teachers, and the world, could be a little more conscious of meat consumption and its consequences.

Due to the cultures people are raised in, they are used to the taste of a particular meat. An example of this is the global beef consumption. The Japanese had been used to eating whale meat. There are cultures that have acquired the taste of dogs and cats. Luckily, cannibalism has been outlawed worldwide.

Most of us are in agreement that our forests should be preserved. The forests serve as a filtering system for all of the fossil fuels we expel into the atmosphere.

Global warming may not be the only problem, if the last human on earth is gasping for oxygen. Removing any more forests, to make room for cattle to graze, is a slow form of global suicide. This only makes environmental sense.

Health problems, due to meat consumption, will require a book. If a person consumes any kind of meat, it should be in moderation. Obviously, there are better choices to eat than others, when considering cholesterol, cancer, and parasites.

Most of us have heard of Mad Cow, salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter. With fish consumption, mercury is always a factor. Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 fats, but consumption should be limited when you consider mercury. Pregnant women should get a professional opinion about any fish consumption.

For the record, flax seed oil is also a good source of Omega-3 fats. Therefore, we do not have to eat fish for Omega-3 fats. When you eat meat, you are always gambling that nothing will happen. This is life - and life is a gamble - however, let me approach one last point.

Is eating any kind of an animal humane - when we do not have to eat them? Does any one of us really think that animals feel no pain? In the past, I have heard people state than animals have no soul. Throughout history, some people made the same claims about slaves. Will our opinions of animals evolve over time?

In summary, Yoga instructors are teaching an holistic method of health for maintenance of mind, body, and spirit. When you teach Yoga, awareness is instilled within you and your students.

At the very least, global meat consumption should be cut back. This is in the best interest of human survival, and all life on this earth. Yoga teachers should be examples of holistic health and high moral standards.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: “Yoga in Practice,” and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Tags: Hatha Yoga, teach yoga, Teaching Hatha Yoga, vegetarian, yoga, Yoga instructor, Yoga Teacher, yogiHatha Yoga, teach yoga, Teaching Hatha Yoga, vegetarian, yoga, Yoga instructor, Yoga Teacher, yogi

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It is a fact that, in the past, vegetarians were often seen as being somewhat eccentric or belonging to some odd sect. However, in recent years, the benefits of vegetarianism are becoming more and more attractive to many people. This includes not only the possible health benefits but also the economic benefits as well.

Vegetarianism is a preference that people have in which they choose to eat only vegetables and other plant products in preference to meat and other animal products. However, it includes more than just diet, involving a complete way of life. This life often includes yoga, spiritualism, homeopathy and other natural ways of living.

During the last century, there has been a significant increase in the knowledge of nutrition and the dietary value of fruits and vegetables. People have begun to steer away from the heavy meat-based meals and are leaning more toward the lighter, healthier and more balanced diets.

The reasons for choosing vegetarianism are varied but may be based on economic, ecological, spiritual, or emotional preferences. Often, people who become interested in such pursuits as spiritualism may switch to vegetarianism as a result of the teachings and the beliefs that are followed. Sometimes, of course, a person may simply dislike the taste of meat or other animal products.

There are five main groups of vegetarianism. The least rigorous are those vegetarians who eat white meat and animal products but will not eat red meat.

There are then the vegetarians who will eat no flesh at all but will eat other dairy products such as milk and cheese and they will also eat eggs.

Another group avoids all flesh but will eat dairy products such as milk and cheese. However, they will not eat eggs because they see eggs as flesh because they are considered as embryos.

Next are those who eat a diet of whole grains, cereals and vegetables as well as eating fish. This diet is part of a yoga lifestyle and is known as macrobiotics. People who follow the macrobiotic lifestyle believe that spiritual imbalance is the cause of disease and that this imbalance is restored by awareness of food origins. It is believed that many of the toxins in the body are a result of the consumption of flesh.

Finally, there are those who totally avoid any animal products or any flesh. These people are known as vegans. Those who follow the vegan lifestyle abhor the methods used in dairy farming and in meat production and see the eating of animal products and meat as adding to the cruelty endured by animals destined for the dinner table.

There are definitely some health benefits to vegetarianism because of the low saturated fat and high fibre associated with a vegetarian diet. This is particularly beneficial for heart and digestive health. However, plant protein is considerably lower than animal protein. It is therefore important that the vegetarian diet includes a variety of cereals, nuts, oil seeds, and legumes that contain high levels of protein.

Another health benefit is that vegetarians suffer less from obesity. In people who eat meat and other animal products, the fat accumulates in the coronary arteries, thus leading to an increased risk of heart attack. In vegetarian communities, heart disease is virtually non-existent.

They also have less problems with conditions such as constipation and intestinal diseases due to the high fibre in their diet. A vegetarian diet has also been known to improve diseases such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and migraine.

Before you go rushing into vegetarianism however, it is important to consider other factors of health. When someone switches to a vegetarian diet, they commonly lose weight and this can lead to a feeling of lethargy. Weight loss can be particularly serious in someone who is already underweight.

There are also some conditions that are connected to veganism in particular. One of these conditions is called spinal ataxia which is evidenced by a stooped appearance with unsteady balance and a loss of sensation in the lower limbs. This condition is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B. Another serious condition is megaloblastic anemia, a blood deficiency also caused by a deficiency of vitamin B. it is therefore important to take a vitamin B supplement. This only affects vegans as vitamin B is found in eggs and cheese.

Plant foods also lack vitamin D but this can be found in sunlight. However, it is unwise to expose young children to too much sun. A vitamin D supplement can be taken in the form of drops.

Choosing a diet that is right for yourself and your family should be a carefully planned process, taking into account the pros and cons of each one. The main consideration, regardless of whether you choose vegetarianism or not, is to eat a diet which is properly balanced with the appropriate amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates and fats.

If you have been a meat eater and are considering the change to vegetarianism, it would be wise to first consult a dietician so as to avoid sending your body into shock. A gradual transition should make things more comfortable.

Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com an information portal with many interesting medical articles and also of http://www.pharmacybyweb.com which has online physicians who can help you with any questions you may have.

Tags: homeopathy, macrobiotic, plant protein, spinal, spiritualism, vegan, vegetarian, vegetarianism, yogahomeopathy, macrobiotic, plant protein, spinal, spiritualism, vegan, vegetarian, vegetarianism, yoga

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