A Yoga Diet for a Softer Heart and Better Planet | Wai Lana

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Namaste, my name is Wai Lana. Yoga has been part of my life since I was a teenager, and I can’t imagine living without it. So when the United Nations designated June 21st as International Yoga Day, I was very happy. 177 countries will be celebrating yoga on this day, bringing a greater awareness of this wonderful practice to people around the world.
I believe that we can achieve positive change in the world through the practice of yoga. Yoga is not just a form of physical exercise but a compassionate and responsible way of living. It extends to those around us and even to the environment.
For example, yogis have long recommended a vegetarian diet. It is now widely known that eating vegetarian is better for our health. But it has other benefits as well. We make the choice to eat in a way that causes as little pain as possible to other living beings. So we become more soft-hearted and compassionate. Our minds become more peaceful. We develop a calmer temperament and clearer consciousness. This enables us to make better decisions in our lives. These qualities benefit us spiritually as well and help us move forward on the path of self-discovery - the goal of yoga.
A vegetarian diet is also a more responsible way to eat for the health of our planet. It saves valuable resources like land and water. For example, an acre of land can produce 7000 pounds of rice. That same acre produces just 165 pounds of beef. Just think how many more people we can feed with 7000 pounds of rice. It also saves water. It takes 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of rice, but it takes 2,500 gallons to produce a pound of beef. So adopting a yoga diet is a step everyone can take, to make this world a better place.
To help you get started, why not try our 2-week Yoga Diet Challenge. It’s one of 5 Yoga Challenges we’re offering in celebration of International Yoga Day. Check out my website at for prizes and details and take the next step to better health and well-being—for you and the planet. Thank you and good luck!
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