Positive and Negative Pranic Foods

"Annapoorne Sada Poorne, 

Shankara Prana Vallabhe, 

Jnana Vairagya Sidhyartham, 

Bhiksham Dhehi Cha Parvati" 

“You are what you eat — quite literally. Our bodies are made up of food. Literally, our cells, our bones, our tissues, and organs are built from the nourishment that we provide our body through the foods that we eat. Food may be perceived as external, but the moment it enters our mouths, it becomes the fabric of our physical, energetic and emotional bodies: our individual self”.  With this in mind, it is easy to see the importance of proper diet.

Most people think of food as separate from themselves — an external substance foreign to the body, but this is not the case. Food is essential to life, your life, and the kinds of food you eat directly correlates to the intelligence of your body, to your ability to experience higher states of awareness, and to maintain God-Realization.

Below are three lists with some generally guidelines as to what foods are negative, zero (neutral) and positive when consumed.

["One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well"]

Negative Pranic Food:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Chilly
• Asafoetida
• Brinjal [egg plant]
• Coffee and Tea
• Other nervous stimulants and drugs

Zero Pranic Food:

• Tomato
• Potato

Positive Pranic Food:

• Ash gourd(highly positive)
• Honey
• Ground nut
• Coconut
• Greens
• Spices

Ash gourd: Ash gourd is the most important of all positive prana food. People, who tends to get cold often, can take ash gourd with pepper and honey.

Honey: It is similar to the chemical structure of human blood in a certain way. It is the best replacement for sugar. For people who suffer from anaemia, honey is a good medicine.

Ground nut: When soaked in water for 6 to 8 hours, ground nut makes a wholesome food. For people who suffer from asthma, this is an excellent remedy. We can live well by taking only soaked ground nuts and fruits.

Coconut: It is a positive prana food. People who suffer from asthma should avoid coconut as it creates mucus.

Greens: Greens are good; however we have to cook and eat it.

Spices: Spices are rich in prana; however, it should be used in moderate levels. If used excessively, it deteriorates the spiritual circumstances.

Sugar: Instead of using white sugar, we can use Jaggery.When we buy jaggery, please make sure that it is not mixed with super phosphate. Palm sugar is really good of all.

Zero prana food doesn't increase or decrease our prana energy. It is taken only for taste. It includes tomato, and potato. People who are affected by gastric trouble must avoid potato.If you take too much of zero prana food, it will make you lazy.

Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet. They are low in calories and nutrient dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

Try to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day and with every meal—the brighter the better. Colorful, deeply colored fruits and vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—and different colors provide different benefits, so eat a variety. Aim for a minimum of five portions each day.

Some great choices include:

• Greens. Branch out beyond bright and dark green lettuce. Kale, mustard greens, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage are just a few of the options—all packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.
• Sweet vegetables. Naturally sweet vegetables—such as corn, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, yams, onions, and squash—add healthy sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for other sweets.
• Fruit. Fruit is a tasty, satisfying way to fill up on fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Berries are cancer-fighting, apples provide fiber, oranges and mangos offer vitamin C, and so on.

The Importance of getting vitamins from Food – Not from Pills

The antioxidants and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables help protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases. And while advertisements abound for supplements promising to deliver the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables in pill or powder form, research suggests that it’s just not the same.

A daily regimen of nutritional supplements is not going to have the same impact of eating right. That’s because the benefits of fruits and vegetables don’t come from a single vitamin or an isolated antioxidant.

The health benefits of fruits and vegetables come from numerous vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals working together synergistically. They can’t be broken down into the sum of their parts or replicated in pill form.

[ "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are."]

Eat More Healthy carbs and Whole Grains

Choose healthy carbohydrates and fiber sources, especially whole grains, for long lasting energy. In addition to being delicious and satisfying, whole grains are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Studies have shown people who eat more whole grains tend to have a healthier heart.

A Quick Defination of Healthy Carbs and Unhealthy Carbs

Healthy carbs :(sometimes known as good carbs) include whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. Healthy carbs are digested slowly, helping you feel full longer and keeping blood sugar and insulin levels stable.

Unhealthy carbs (or bad carbs) are foods such as white flour, refined sugar, and white rice that have been stripped of all bran, fiber, and nutrients. Unhealthy carbs digest quickly and cause spikes in blood sugar levels and energy.

Tips for Eating More Healthy carbs

• Include a variety of whole grains in your healthy diet, including whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, and barley. Experiment with different grains to find your favorites.
• Make sure you're really getting whole grains. Be aware that the words stone-ground, multi-grain, 100% wheat, or bran can be deceptive. Look for the words “whole grain” or “100% whole wheat” at the beginning of the ingredient list. In the U.S., Canada, and some other countries, check for the Whole Grain Stamps that distinguish between partial whole grain and 100% whole grain.
• Try mixing grains as a first step to switching to whole grains. If whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat pasta don’t sound good at first, start by mixing what you normally use with the whole grains. You can gradually increase the whole grain to 100%.

Avoid: Refined foods such as breads, pastas, and breakfast cereals that are not whole grain.

Enjoy Healthy Fats & avoid Unhealthy Fats

Good sources of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain, heart, and cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Foods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA are particularly important and can reduce cardiovascular disease, improve your mood, and help prevent dementia.

Add to your Healthy Diet:

• Monounsaturated fats, from plant oils like canola oil, peanut oil, and olive oil, as well as avocados, nuts (like almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans), and seeds (such as pumpkin, sesame).
• Polyunsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements. Other sources of polyunsaturated fats are unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.

Reduce or Eliminate form your Diet:

• Saturated fats, found primarily in animal sources including red meat and whole milk dairy products.
• Trans fats, found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Non-vegetarian food is not suitable for the human body. It is not on the basis of compassion. When we see the structure of human being, vegetarian food suits well than non-vegetarian food. Now, even medical people accept this opinion. Non-vegetarian food not only affects the human body but also the mind. Now, scientists agree with this point.

You should take the food, which your body prefers and should not take the food, which your mind or tongue prefers. If you don't keep your body in a good condition, it will trouble you in so many ways. So, please take food which increases your prana energy. If you make your body aware, you will easily find what to eat and what not to eat.

"Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmaagnau Brahmana Hutam, 

Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarmasamaadhina"

Meaning:  "A practice of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the device of offering is Brahman, and the fire (hunger) to which the offering is made, is also Brahman. For such a one, who abides in everything (Brahman), by him alone Brahman is reached".

Brahman refers to God himself. This Shloka suggests that god is everywhere, in the food, inside the devotee and even the hunger is God. So, devotee is taking the food (God) to the hunger (God). To put succinctly, we always thank god for his divine grace.

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Yogi Sri bhogar siddhar

Bhogar was a South Indian by birth, who became a siddha purusha under the guidance of Kalanginathar. In Bhogar's Saptakanda he reveals details of various medicinal preparations to his disciple Pullippani (so named ashe is believed to have wandered in the forests atop a puli or tiger)and at every stage he quotes his guru as the authority. Also Pulippani must have been a young man then, as he is often referred to as abalaka.

It is said that as per the last wishes of his guru, Bhogar proceeded to China to spread the knowledge of siddha sciencesand strangely enough his journey is said to have been made with theaid of an aircraft; he demonstrated to the Chinese the details of theconstruction of the aircraft and later built for them a sea-goingcraft using a steam engine. The details of these and other experi-ments demonstrated by Bhogar in China are clearly documented in theSaptakanda.

Bogar's guru, Kalangi Nathar, is believed to be a Chinese who attained siddhi in South India and thus became included among the Eighteen Siddhars.

Lao Tse - the founder of Taoism (5th century B.C.) was the first Chinese to propound the theory of duality of matter -- the male Yang and female Yin -- which conforms to the Siddha concept of Shiva -Shakti or positive-negative forces. This very same concept wasfirst revealed by the adi-siddhar Agasthya Rishi, whose period is as old as the Vedas, which have been conservatively dated at 3500 B.C. Also alchemy as a science was practised in China only after B.C. 135 and was practices as an art until B.C. 175 when a royal decree was enacted banning alchemical preparation of precious metals by the Celestial Empire; these details are recounted in the two existing Chinese books of alchemy Shih Chi and Treatise of Elixir Refined in Nine Couldrons, both dated to the first century B.C.

The emergence of Lao Tse with his theory of duality of matter and the journey of Bhogar to China seem to have taken place about the same time and it is even possible that Bhogar himself went under the name of Lao Tse in China, like another Siddharishi Sriramadevar, who was known as Yacob in Arabia.

Bhogar is a siddhar, who is considered as one of the eighteen siddhars born in the world. According to epigraphical sources and his book Bhogar Seven thousand his period is around 3000 B.C. Bhogar born at India and visited China in search of truth of life, he gained knowledge in medicine, astrology, spritiuality, yoga etc.

Bhogar anticipating that in due course of period, human beings will suffer from large number of disease. As an expert in medicine he used 4448 rare herbs and made 9 poisonous medicine, mixing these 9 poisons into one needs great knowledege and skill, to make a Master Medicine (One medicine to cure all disease).

Thirumoolar also discuss one such Master Medicine in his book Thiru Mandiram. With the consultation of Agasthiar (Father of Ayurvedic Medicine) and other siddhars Bhogar mixed the 9 poisons (Nava Bashanam) and made the Master Medicine in the form of Lord Murugan which is currently worshiped at Palani Murugan temple. There is a place near Palani Hill called Thanasiappan Temple which is the place where Bhogar mixed the Nava Bashanam and made  the Murugan idol.

The definition of enlightenment has many expressions; the value of perfection can turn the unreal into a spectacular world of intrigue of what is possible in this world that we live in.

In the era 3000 B.C. that we so miss judged as belonging to the primitive period has recorded the life of at least one person who surpassed most human beings in the quest for knowledge and the power of wisdom

3000 B.C. a world that was still waking up to evolution witnessed the presence of Siddhar Bhogar, a powerful astrologer, and a yogi who had mastered the science of medicine perfectly. The highlights of his life maybe plenty but those that would intrigue us today are recorded in the Saptakanda, a work that describes in detail the presence of an aircraft that took him all the way to China where he imparted his knowledge.

Another intriguing fact is that he used 9 poisons or the Nava Bhashanam to make a statue of Lord Muruga (Dandapani vigraha) which has since been installed in the Murugan temple at Palani near Madhurai and is still worshipped. The interesting aspect of this idol is that its composition of 9 poisons (made out of 4000 rare herbs), elicits life giving essence into the fluids of libation as the abhishekam progresses which cures all human diseases when consumed.

Siddhar Bhogar’s shrine, his Samadhi is what remains today as a powerful example of the difference in lifestyle, the deep rooted principles and values that once governed the people of this soil. We all live in the same world, making use of probably the same things to evolve, yet the intensity of worship and the much needed awareness to realize these methods of living are not half as strong now.

Few things come to light in the life of this phenomenon called Siddhar Bhogar. He initially worshiped the Kamandalam on the peetha and the rishi muni dandam or staff atop the hill at Palani. He subsequently prepared the idol of Muruga (Dandapani vigraha) out of 9 poisons that magically cures people of their ailments when the fluids of libation are consumed after abhishekam. Bhogar is known to have made his own Samadhi, his final resting place in this form which is a cave he dug out, a chamber under the very idol of Muruga (Dandapani vigraha). It was here that he took Jeeva Samadhi. Siddhar Bhogar lived for aprox. 300 years and 18 days.

The life of Siddhar Bhogar is amazing, intriguing and gives us an idea of a world we wish we were a part of. Few have brought alive the picture of his Samadhi, and among those who have is Artist Silpi who has vividly captured every essence of what is found back in this cave that still exalts Siddhar Bhogar’s energy. This is a potent place of worship, which is crowned by a throne that was created by Siddhar Bhogar himself.

He used the 8 shaktis, the nava Durga, Sri Bhuvaneshwari, and most importantly the Maragadha Lingam (emerald Linga) that crowns this throne. It is a complex vigraha comprising of a stone altar that hosts the main emerald Shiva Linga at the top surrounded by the Goddesses at various levels. As part of the worship is also the present the right faced conch shell, and two yantras that capture the essence of the Goddess and Lord Shiva within them.

It is a potent world, energized not just by the presence of a dual yantra, but by the powerful magnetic field present in the Samadhi of this great Siddhar. The passage way to heaven is not just a journey down spiritualism, but a unique magical world of powers expressed in various forms depicted through the life of this great Siddhar. Few others are blessed to express this beauty by representing it in color for lesser mortals like us. The profound depth of sacred reality is rendered by Artist Silpi in this painting who spent 40 days within this cave to capture this unique throne for the world to witness, a throne found nowhere else, a profound example of salvation being found in intense devotion be it science, medicine, art and sculpture to inspire humanity in the years to come.

Bhogar Samadhi is inside Palani Murugan temple at Palani Hill. Actually Bogar himself constructed his samadhi exactly under the Lord Murugan Navabasha idol and went into Nirvigalpa Samadhi there. The entrance to his samadhi is a cave like structure, now also worship for this great siddhar is conducted at this entrance where he is last seen by his disciple which is at the Palani temple. The shrine at the top of the hill, though later than the Tiru Avinankudi temple, has overshadowed the older temple in the present century due to its popular appeal. Created by Bhogar, it was maintained after him by sage Pulippani and his descendants almost as their personal and private temple.

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Prenatal Yoga

Samudravasane: De:vi, parvathasthanamandale: I

Vishnu pathninamasthubhyam, pa:dasparsamkshamaswame: II

Meaning: Oh Divine mother Earth! You wore the oceans as your garments, and have the mountains as breasts. The beloved wife of Lord Vishnu we salute you. For touching you with my feet, please forgive me.

Namasthe: priyaDattha:yai, thubhyamDe:viVasundhare: I

ThvamMa:tha: sarvabhu:tha:na:m, Pa:dasparsamkshamaswame: II

Meaning: Oh Divine Mother Earth, you are the mother of all the beings on this earth. We Salute you. You are feeding and giving everything according to their wish. For touching you with my feet,

Please forgive me.

Matru Devo Bhava itselfs says Mother is equal to GOD, So We should take care the Mothers To be With Utmost Care and Love.The Same way The Mother will pass all the Love and care to Child to be born.

Prenatal yoga can be a great way to prepare for childbirth.

The benefits of prenatal yoga

If you're pregnant and looking for ways to relax or stay fit, you may be considering prenatal yoga. Good for you! But did you know that prenatal yoga may also help you prepare for labor and promote your baby's health? Before you start prenatal yoga, understand the range of possible benefits, as well as what a typical class entails and important safety tips.

Prenatal yoga is more popular than ever. When paired with a cardiovascular exercise such as walking, yoga can be an ideal way to stay in shape during your pregnancy. This age-old practice keeps you limber, tones your muscles, and improves your balance and circulation, with little, if any, impact on your joints.

Much like other types of childbirth-preparation, prenatal yoga is a multifaceted approach to exercise that encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing. Research suggests that prenatal yoga is safe and can have many benefits for pregnant women and their babies.

For example, studies have suggested that prenatal yoga can:

• Improve sleep
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
• Decrease lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and shortness of breath
• Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition that slows a baby's growth

A Typical Prenatal Yoga may involve

Breathing. You'll be encouraged to focus on breathing in and out slowly and deeply through the nose. You may also practice different breathing techniques and making deep sounds, such as humming or grunting. Prenatal yoga breathing techniques may help you reduce or manage shortness of breath during pregnancy and work through contractions during labor.

Gentle stretching. You'll be encouraged to gently move different areas of your body, such as your neck and arms, through their full range of motion.

Postures. While standing, sitting or lying on the ground, you'll gently move your body into different positions aimed at developing your strength, flexibility and balance. Props — such as blankets, cushions and belts — may be used to provide support and comfort. You'll also continue to focus on your breathing.

Cool down and relaxation. At the end of each prenatal yoga class, you'll relax your muscles and restore your resting heart rate and breathing rhythm. You may be encouraged to listen to your own breathing, pay close attention to sensations, thoughts and emotions, or repeat a mantra or word to bring about a state of self-awareness and inner calm.

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child".  Sophia Loren.

Yoga Asanas:

Vakrasna (Twisted pose) 

-Sit erect with feet stretched in front (parallel).

-Inhale and raise your arms at shoulder level, palms facing down. 

-Exhaling, twist your body from waist towards your right moving head and hands simultaneously to the same side. Swing arms back as much as possible. Do not bend your knees. 

-Inhale and come back to original position maintaining your hands shoulder level and parallel to each other. 

-Repeat on other side. 

Benefit-Your spine, legs, hands, neck are exercised along with gentle massage to abdominal organs. 

Utkatasana (Chair pose) 

- Strengthens thigh and pelvic muscles 

-Stand erect with feet 12 inches apart. Keep your feet parallel to each other. 

-Inhale for 2 seconds and raise your heels and arms at shoulder level, palms facing down simultaneously. 

-Exhale slowly; sit in squat pose, on your toes. If not comfortable standing on your toes, stand normally keeping feet flat on the ground. 

-Keeping your hands in the same position, inhaling, get up slowly and stand on your toes. 

-Exhale, hands down and heels down simultaneously. 

Konasana (Angle pose) 

- Flexibility of waist and fat remains under control in the waist region 

-Stand erect with feet 24 inches apart. You can do this asana with the support of wall. 

-Raise your right hand up keeping elbow straight. Give a nice upward stretch and while you inhale, bend sideward towards your left. Exhale and come back and put your hand down. 

-Repeat the same with other side. 

Paryankasana (Ham's pose with one leg) 

- Strengthens abdominal, pelvic and thigh muscles 

-Lie down on your back. Straighten your legs. Keep your knees together. 

-Now, fold your right leg in the knee at the side of your posterior. Breathe normally. Hold the position as long as you're comfortable and repeat the same on other side. Straighten your leg. 

-Repeat with the left leg. 

Hast Panangustasana (Extended hand to big tow pose) 

- Strengthens pelvic and thigh muscles 

-Lie down on your back. Straighten your legs. Keep your body in one line. 

-Your hands in T-position, palms facing down. 

-Slide right leg towards your right side. Don't try very hard. Hold toe with your right hand if possible. 

-Sliding your leg come back to original position. 

-Repeat the same on left side. 

Bhadrasana (Butterfly pose) 

- Strengthens inner thighs and pelvic region 

-Sit on the mat with legs fully stretched. 

-Keeping the legs in contact with the mat, form 'Namaste' with your feet. -Sit erect, without leaning forward. Place your hands on knees or thighs. Hold the posture till the time you feel comfortable. 

-Straighten your legs and repeat again. 

Parvatasana (Mountain pose) 

- Improves body posture, relief in backache 

-Sit on the mat in sukhasna, padmasana or ardhapadmasana. 

-Sit straight and while you inhale, raise your arm and join your palms in 'Namaste' position. Keep your elbows straight. Hands are near to your ears. Hold the position for a few seconds and come back to normal position again. 

-Repeat 2-3 times 

Yastikasana (Stick pose) 

- Corrects posture, body gets stretched, relieves body tension 

- Lie down on your back. Straighten your legs. Keep your body in one line. Knees and feet are together. Feet point upward. Hands rest on the sides. 

-Inhale and raise your hands; rest them on the floor and stretch upward. Push your toes out simultaneously. 

-Exhale, raise your hands and come back into normal position. 

-Repeat 3-4 times with in between breaks. 

Some important reminders/safety measures

- Mothers with condition of asthama can try the above mentioned asanas but shouldn't hold or suspend breath during the practice of pranayams/asanas. 

- On the basis of pregnancy trimesters there are certain exercises that cannot be carried throughout all pregnancy months. Konasana (angle pose) for instance should not be continued post seven months of pregnancy. Once the mother feels uncomfortable doing an asana, it is advisable to stop immediately without further straining the muscles. 

- Avoid forward bending asanas (strong back bends, such as the boat pose), inverted poses and exercises that might put pressure on the abdomen. Asanas that require lying down on the weight of your stomach should be strictly avoided. 

- Exercises involving balance should be done with utmost care.

- Please avoid hurrying into weight-loss exercise regime immediately after delivery. Post-natal yoga (post six weeks after birth) and exercises should be practiced only when the mother's body is fully ready and relaxed. 

- Simple stretching exercises encourage circulation, help fluid retention, and relieve stress 

- If mothers feel pain or nausea doing any of the exercises, then they should stop immediately and consult doctor. 

"All of us want happy children. Happy children grow out of happy babies. Happy babies are born to happy mothers. Therefore, partners, families and friends of expectant mothers should do their best to make an expectant mother happy and relaxed. If she is depressed, nervous, or tense, encourage her to seek help.

The mother-to-be should hear  Devotional and Bhakthi songs, Utter slokas or mantras read revered books or beautiful literature, which is not stressful, wear beautiful and comfortable clothes, adorn herself with fragrant flowers, ornaments and always be in a happy and serene atmosphere. Being creative and engaged in productive, but light activity is also highly advocated."

click here to watch some slokas

"Sarve Jana Sukhino Bavanthu"

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