Through regular yoga practice, the body and the awareness of one's own needs change. You develop a good body awareness, become more aware of yourself from head to toe, and feel deep within. Losing weight is also easier with this sport without having to count calories. Yogis therefore live more mindfully, attentively, and healthily than many of their peers who don't practice yoga. The need to do something good for your body from within, in addition to the exercises, quickly arises.
In our blog article we answer the following important questions:
- What should be considered in a yogic diet?
- What foods do yoga teachers recommend?
- And which supposed stimulants should be avoided?
Yoga and balanced nutrition
Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, or Hot Yoga: Yoga and meditation are always beneficial for body and soul. And with the right food and healthy recipes, you can boost your fitness, find inner peace more quickly, and be in harmony with yourself. Anyone who practices yoga intensively will therefore sooner or later consider the topic of nutrition. This isn't just because some yogis focus on losing or maintaining weight. When practicing these strenuous exercises, it quickly becomes clear that men and women shouldn't eat any heavy meals about two hours before a yoga class. A full stomach hinders the concentrated execution of the asanas , and the exercises become unusually difficult.
The three-part nutritional system of the yogic diet
In the philosophy of yoga, three types of food are distinguished based on their specific properties:
- tamasic food (represents laziness)
- Rajasic food (representing restlessness)
- and sattvic foods (provide lightness).
The tamasic food:
Tamasic food is characterized by a lack of important vital nutrients. Instead of providing energy, it drains the body and also causes the mind to become sluggish. Tamasic foods include unripe fruit, overcooked food, and convenience foods. Meat and fish are also considered tamasic and should be avoided according to yoga teachings. Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are also tamasic.
The Rajasic food:
Rajasic food causes a restless mind and body. Rajasic foods include caffeinated foods, as well as very spicy foods, sugar, and white flour. Foods eaten too quickly and not chewed thoroughly are also rajasic and should be kept to a minimum.
The sattvic food:
Sattvic food is considered the ideal diet in yoga. Sattvic foods provide new energy, calm the mind, and contain many vital nutrients. Fresh produce, preferably raw, contains the most vital energy, known as "prana." Whole grain products, vegetables, nuts, fresh fruit, milk, potatoes, and legumes are sattvic and essential to a yogi's diet. Sattvic food also supports healthy weight loss.
Diversity instead of one-sidedness for your health
Yogic nutrition is not a diet where the goal is to follow a set menu and prescribed recipes as precisely as possible. There's also no need to pay attention to a specific calorie intake. The teachings of yoga recognize that every body is unique, and that people need different amounts of energy in varying amounts at different stages of life. Just as yoga practitioners gradually learn to gently ease into their asanas and perform these exercises correctly and mindfully, yogis develop a deeper awareness of their body. This allows them to become increasingly aware of which diets are beneficial to their health and spiritual well-being. Over time, sattvic foods will naturally take a central place in their daily diet.
Drink plenty and eat peacefully
Yogis should drink around three liters of water or herbal tea per day. Those who prefer more flavorful drinks can flavor plain water with a few fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, a sprinkling of ginger, or fresh cucumber slices. These drinks also make weight loss easier, although that is also a goal of yoga exercises. When choosing food, natural and fresh foods should be preferred.
Occasional fasting helps healthy people detoxify and relax the body and mind. While there are no rigid rules for a healthy yogic diet, many yogis find the following rule of thumb helpful: Fill your stomach halfway with food, a quarter with water, and leave the other quarter empty. This activates mind and body. In yoga, abstaining from meat is connected to the ideal of a life without violence. A vegetarian diet without meat, and even more strictly without fish, also has health benefits, as studies repeatedly confirm.
Strengthen your body with yoga and the right food
Those interested in learning more about healthy nutrition and the popular sport of yoga can ask their yoga teacher for specific tips. Since there are some parallels to Ayurvedic nutrition, attending an Ayurvedic cooking class is also recommended. Some holiday hotels and private clinics offer Ayurvedic and yogic dishes. Those who want to fundamentally change their diet can take a relaxing yoga retreat as an opportunity to experience the benefits of healthy eating for themselves in an energizing atmosphere.
