We get many times the question in the studio, what to eat for breakfast if we come for a yoga class in the morning? Or When should i eat at latest before class? And what should I eat after class? All these are good questions, and most of us found out by our own experience what is the best for us...sometimes through not so comfortable experiences:) So we wish to help you to find out what works for you with some tips. First of all, we are all different, so you really need to sense and feel what works for you.
In general we can say that Hot yoga ( classic& flow) classes are pretty intense on their own, so you definitely don't want to eat right before, as for your body it is already a lot of job to keep up with the class, having to spend energy on the digestion at the same time would be way to intense and uncomfortable.
So, if you are coming for a morning class 9.15 or even 7.00 We would recommend to drink some fruit juice before, or a nice tea, and not eat..assuming that you wake up not to far away in time from the class start.
But if you know that your blood sugar level can drop down, that you really need to eat something, we would recommend a banana, some dates before class. Preferably at latest half an hour before class. And have your proper breakfast AFTER your class.
In general we say have greater meals 3-4 hours before a hot class, and you can eat something light, fruit or snack or some nuts 1 hour before the class. You can always eat after class. But we recommend that you first start with drinking, some life filled fruit juices, smoothies, etc..and wait a bit, give your body some rest and relaxation and then sense and feel what is your body really asking for. After yoga our senses are more open, so use that moment to consciously connect to your body and feel what would be really good for you, maybe something else then your habits, or what would your mind say to you.
You might notice on longer term, if you come often to do hot yoga, and yoga in general, that your eating habits will change, you will be longing for healthier, lighter meals, and will turn your back to artificial foods, and sugary stuff.... TRUE STORY <3 Yoga is transformative...in so many ways!!
About the non-heated classes, we also consider that not eating bigger meals less then 3 hours before class is a good milestone. Snacks can be eaten 1hr or half an hour at latest before class. Have a comfortable belly not a full belly.
Great things to eat, drink after class:
Juices ( grapefruit, orange, coconut, cucumber, celery, lemon, pineapple, mango, etc..) , Dates, Fruits in general, Salads, vegetables like avocado, everything that is juicy, not so much dry...like soups, or a vegan protein shake. Some nuts, or nutmilks, cereals. Rice or rice crackers with some himalayan sea salt on it, to refill your minerals.
Eat consciously, feeling what is enough.
Listen to your body and your body will be so grateful for that!
