pranayama
pranayama is traditionally considered breath exercises. However, Vivekananda and Ramakrishna consider pranamyama to be dangerous and something that should be practiced only under the guidance of a guru. So I don't particularly focus on breath exercises. However, prana just means life force so I consider pranayama to be anything that increases the prana in the body.
This includes:
- Breathing Clearly. Non-obstructive breathing.
- Diet. A diet that is sattivic and which gives energy to the body.
Breathing Clearly
Make sure that I can breathe clearly through both nostrils. Air needs to pass through both nostrils to give full oxygen to the brain and body. Address this by using the Neti Pot daily to clear out the nostrils and sinuses.
Diet
Breakfast
This breakfast makes me efficient and gives me more energy but makes me less spirituality. It rises the passions and desires. It is needed at times when working on a project or when I need to be efficient, but I do not think it is a good breakfast for everyday.
- Fruit
- 2 eggs
- 2 pieces of sourdough toast with butter
- Coffee
Ekadashi Fasting
| Month | Ekadashi date (2026) | Ekadashi name |
|---|---|---|
| January | January 14 (Wednesday) | Shattila Ekadashi |
| January | January 29 (Thursday) | Jaya Ekadashi |
| February | February 12 (Thursday) | Vijaya Ekadashi |
| February | February 27 (Friday) | Amalaki Ekadashi |
| March | March 14 (Saturday) | Papmochani Ekadashi |
| March | March 29 (Sunday) | Kamada Ekadashi |
| April | April 13 (Monday) | Varuthini Ekadashi |
| April | April 27 (Monday) | Mohini Ekadashi |
| May | May 13 (Wednesday) | Apara Ekadashi |
| May | May 27 (Wednesday) | Nirjala Ekadashi |
| June | June 11 (Thursday) | Yogini Ekadashi |
| June | June 25 (Thursday) | Devshayani Ekadashi |
| July | July 11 (Saturday) | Kamika Ekadashi |
| July | July 25 (Saturday) | Putrada Ekadashi |
| August | August 9 (Sunday) | Aja Ekadashi |
| August | August 24 (Monday) | Parivartini Ekadashi |
| September | September 8 (Tuesday) | Indira Ekadashi |
| September | September 23 (Wednesday) | Papankusha Ekadashi |
| October | October 8 (Thursday) | Rama Ekadashi |
| October | October 23 (Friday) | Pasankusha Ekadashi |
| November | November 6 (Friday) | Utpanna Ekadashi |
| November | November 21 (Saturday) | Mokshada Ekadashi |
| December | December 6 (Sunday) | Saphala Ekadashi |
| December | December 21 (Monday) | Putrada Ekadashi |
Study
Primary study material is cooking and nutrition.
- The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt
- Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nostrat
- The Professional Chef by Culinary Institute of America
- CookWise: The How’s and Why’s of Successful Cooking by Shirley O. Corriher’s
- The Chef’s Garden: A Modern Guide to Common and Unusual Vegetables by Farmer Lee Jones
- On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee
- The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Domenburg
- Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmberg
- The Science of Good Cooking by America’s Test Kitchen
- Eating on the Wild Side by Jo Robinson