3 Pillars of Health: Pillar 1: Āhāra (Diet)

Pillar #1: Āhāra (Diet/Food)
Āyurveda is founded, in part, on the 3 Pillars of Health. The first pillar is Āhāra, or diet. The
word diet stems from the Greek word diaita meaning “a way of life.” Āyurveda understands that
how you eat is as important as what you eat and consistency is key. If you want positive and
lasting results, diet is not something random you do for a few weeks, shocking your body into
submission. For optimal health and performance, it is best to eat for your prakṛti (constitution),
vikṛti (current imbalances) and the season.

It is also important to eat in a sattvic way, in a calm environment with no distractions, with
awareness, at a reasonably slow pace. This helps the body digest, absorb and assimilate
nutrients and feel fully satiated even for hours after a meal due to the amount of the hunger
hormone ghrelin. Different moods produce different hormones which can either assist or
interfere with digestion. Eating calmly helps to promote healthy agni, or digestive fire.

Agni (Digestive Fire)
Healthy agni is critical for the digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients. It therefore
holds great importance in the proper formation, nourishment and functioning of all the tissues in
the body. “Āyurveda views the health of the body as the functioning of a biological fire
governing metabolism...called agni...the right foods and spices can feed agni, directly
strengthening the basic energy of the body-mind, allowing for the right digestion, not only of
food but also experience.” -Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad.

Due to the challenging nature of perimenopause and menopause, it becomes particularly
important to have balanced agni in order to have optimal health and performance, both
physically and mentally. Agni helps us maintain energy, thermo-regulation, immune function
and strength. Agni, through the secretion of neurotransmitters, helps strengthen and clarify
what we call healthy “sādhaka pitta,” our intelligence, motivation and emotional stability.