Diwali, the most celebrated festival from Hindu Mythology that commenced in the era of Lord Shri Rama thousands of years ago, is celebrated with the same zeal and enthusiasm even today. We start preparing for this grand festival much before its arrival. As the day approaches, its celebrations commence with full vigor and enthusiasm. We stuff our house and our bellies with wide assortment of sweets, butter soaked traditional Indian cuisine, fill our patio with a wide range of fire-crackers and, the list goes on. The whole air gets soaked in the spirit of Diwali.
This year, break away the ‘usuals’ a bit and, celebrate Diwali in a different style – a healthier Diwali with less calorie and more fun, less pollution and more illumination. Check out some of the most wonderful things you can indulge in on this soulful occasion that does not include taking ‘digestive pills’ or filling the lungs with ‘soot’.
Prepare Your Body with some Yoga Practice
It is not unusual to put on a little holiday weight or, get fatigued by all the intense preparation. Resisting the temptation of savoring Indian sweets and dishes can be quite knotty. Even if we do it, there is always a friend or a family member ready to urge indulging in a just a bit more. With this, our body can easily fall prey to digestive issues and,can feel bloated or lethargic. The key is not to ‘over indulge’ or become ‘over paranoid’ for making the preparations ‘just right’. Prepare the body in advance and alongfor the string of stomach-filled, feet-tiring celebration with some ‘Yoga Therapy’. Take out a few minutes from the schedule and practice specific yogaasanas, such asSeated Forward Fold (Paschimottasana), Half Lord of the Fishes (Ardha Matsyendrasana), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)Uttana Shishosana (Extended Puppy Pose), Child Pose (Balasana), etc. to keep your body’s digestive system in check while keeping it active and light. Additionally, set some time aside for bed-time yoga poses, such as Wind Relieving Posture (Pavanamuktasana), Corpse Pose (Savasana) so the body can restore its vials with ease.
Try Your Hand at a Few Yogic Refreshments
Just as you, your body acknowledges the fact that it is not going through a normal routine. Craving for more food, spicy food comes naturally to it. A lot of people tend to overeat. In addition to the food, body undergoes an ordeal of physical work as well. From tending to guests, family members and friends- to shopping- to ensuring all preparations are in place, it is easy to feel inactive by the time actual ceremony commences. You skin can show just as much signs of fatigue and lethargy. To combat these, it is very much recommended to keep yogic refreshments such as herbal drinks, mini salad snacks handy. Not only these refreshments replenish your body and skin, these also satiate those mini hunger pangs that push us towards consuming calorific finger food.
Meditate In the Soulful Gleam of Diyas (Traditional Oil Lamps)
Soak the entire house and the premises in the beauty of flickering oil lamps. Let there is light all around. Fire-lit oil lamps, candles, etc. have always been used as some of the primal elements of focus while undergoing meditation practice. The sparkling light emitted through these objects instigates peace, hope, love and positivity, while it also opens the heart of the practicing individual. Find some quiet time to sit, relax and meditate in the sparkle of the diyas and, open your heart to new possibilities, where the good wins over the evil.
Participate in a Humble Cause
The festival of Diwali is all about celebrating love, cherishing relationships, commemorating the victory of good over the evil. Diwali is all about being in harmony with family, the universe and the people inhabiting it. Make a humble effort to spread love and happiness to the unfortunate ones. And, gift yourself one of the most sacred feelings.
Transform this Diwali into something even more memorable by indulging in these activities with your loved ones. Experience inner joy and luminosity on this holy festival of lights.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy Diwali!