You don’t have to be a vegetarian to learn yoga, but we do encourage and recommend it, as there are many benefits over a non-vegetarian diet. Your body will feel lighter and your mind will feel clearer. But at the end of the day, we are all responsible for ourselves, and our lifestyle choice should be our own, with no judgement from anyone else.
There are three types of food (see below) and a non-vegetarian diet comes under the second category. Foods that enhance a vegetarian diet are called Satvik foods, which include lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and grains which gives you more energy and focus. It is your choice whether you want to feel tired, lethargic and sleepy or energized, focused and alert?
a) One that causes activity (Rajasik).
b) One that causes sleep or lethargy (Tamasik).
c) One that keeps the mind calm and centred (Satvik).
It is good to wait about two hours after eating before you practice yoga and meditation, as this will help you to digest your food and gain the maximum benefits. It is easier and more comfortable to practice asanas on an empty stomach. In addition when there is little food in the digestive track and waste in the bowels, energy moves more freely throughout the body. If you eat too close to yoga practice, gravity causes food in the stomach to slide up the esophagus. At worst, regurgitation may occur or a burning sensation may be felt as stomach acid reaches the sensitive tissue of the oesophagus. If you must eat before a class, eat something light and easily digestible, like a piece of fruit or soup!
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