Exact Answer: After 3 hours
Yoga is the unification of the soul, mind, and body. It is essential for the harmonious development of the body and soul.
Yoga has many benefits for all-round development. There are various types of yoga, each with its own benefits.
Yogic asanas have the ability to strengthen flexibility and immunity. Yoga is the key to a healthy disease-free lifestyle.
Yoga has been toning our bodies for ages. The wonders of yoga are beyond our mind’s imagination. Yoga has been the best and first choice of doctors and medical professionals besides medicines.
While it is recommended to go for yoga before having breakfast, it is completely an individual’s personal choice whether he wishes to do yoga before or after a workout.
How Long After Breakfast Can I Do Yoga?
| Type of Breakfast | Time after which one can go for yoga |
| Short Meal | 1 hr. |
| Heavy Meal | 3 to 4hrs |
Yoga proves to be the most helpful when it is done before breakfast, on an empty stomach. This is because, during this period, more fat is oxidized comparatively.
Yoga, irrespective of done before or after breakfast, helps in improving concentration and attaining flexibility of the body. Sometimes, yoga even contributes to weight loss.
Yoga has become a part of daily routine even in schools. The celebration of International Yoga Day also marks the importance of yoga.
In cases of persons, who tend to lose consciousness and faint under the sun, they should take water and some light food before yoga.
It is advised to have either a glass of milk or a milky drink before 10 – 15 minutes of yoga. Some yogic asanas are even recommended to be done after breakfast for increased efficiency.
Having breakfast before yoga is a personal choice. The nutrition before doing yoga should be taken into mind.
If you wish to do yoga after breakfast, then it is recommended to maintain a minimum time gap of 1 hour between the light breakfast and yoga.
The nutrition for yoga after breakfast includes some light oatmeal or some smoothie. The nutrition for yoga after lunch includes some high-energy giving food. Foods with high protein and carbohydrate content should be preferred.
If you are having some heavy food, then it is advised to go for yoga or exercise after at least 3-4 hours. This is because some postures may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and a feeling of sluggishness.
Having yoga right after a heavy meal may increase pressure in the abdomen leading to muscle cramps. It also depends on the yogic asanas chosen.
Why Should I Wait For So Long After Yoga?
Yoga, besides all its benefits, also has the power to cure many diseases. Hence, it is essential to devote at least 30 minutes to the body’s development through yoga.
Generally, yoga starts with paying honor to the Sun which is done by Surya namaskar. In the end even, one has to pay honor to the Sun by rolling to the right.
Sometimes, it is necessary to have some energy in reserve before going for yoga. In such cases, it is recommended to have a banana that can provide instant energy.
If one goes for yoga after a heavy meal, then the time difference between the intake of meal and start of yogic asanas must be at least 2 hours. This would reduce the chances of food shock, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal problems.
Yoga can be started at the pace of two times per week. The pace can be increased later after one month.
Flexibility is not a prerequisite requirement for an individual to start yoga. Yoga can be done by anyone, irrespective of whether the body is flexible or not.
It is advised by many professionals to go for yoga after breakfast, keeping in mind the food items to be taken for breakfast. A small breakfast which may include fruits or a glass of smoothie is recommended. One can even go for nuts or oatmeal.
It is advised that while doing yoga, no food items should be moving in one’s stomach. All the previously taken food items should be digested completely.
This is what has been said by some yogis and ancient practitioners of yoga. There are even some reasons behind this myth.
The first one being, right after a meal the body needs to digest the food taken in which requires energy. Yoga right after a meal exhausts the body’s reserve energy and even incapables the body to produce reserve energy.
The second one being, some yogic asanas cannot be done with a filled tummy. Some yogic asanas can be held better when done with an empty stomach only.
Conclusion
Performing yogic asanas before or after breakfast is completely dependent on the individual. One should keep in mind the asanas chosen.
If one wants to go for yoga after breakfast, the choice of yogic asanas should include enhancing digestion. Twists and other such positions must be avoided.
In the case of a short meal, one can perform asanas right after 30 minutes of having the short meal. But, when the meal is heavy, a minimum of 3-4 hours should be given to the body for digestion and generation of energy.
It is even advised to drink lots of water before and after yoga. This helps in maintaining the water balance in the body, thereby avoiding unnecessary health consequences.
Reference
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859217300177
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S108331881100060X
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The emphasis on responsible nutrition in relation to yoga practice is very important, and I’m glad to see it discussed here.
Absolutely, it’s crucial to understand how our nutrition impacts our physical activities and well-being.
Good nutrition truly complements the benefits of yoga practice.
I’m surprised to find a reference to yoga in relation to school activities, I didn’t realize it was so widespread.
It’s amazing how yoga has found its way into different areas of life, including schools.
I find it quite ironic that this article talks about the importance of yoga yet discusses the need to consume specific foods before or after yoga for optimal effect.
I think it’s just emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet and how it relates to yoga practice.
This article beautifully illustrates the importance of yoga and the benefits of its practice.
Absolutely, Julie02! Yoga really is the key to a healthy lifestyle.
This article provides valuable information about the proper timing to practice yoga in relation to meals.
Yeah, it’s important to understand the body’s digestion process and how it relates to yoga practice.
Definitely, it’s crucial for avoiding discomfort and getting the most out of yoga.
The article provides both informative and practical advice about yoga, especially in relation to food intake.
Absolutely, it’s an eye-opener for many yoga practitioners.
I appreciate this detailed information, it changes how I approach yoga practice.
The article provides both historical and scientific context to yoga practice, allowing a deeper appreciation for its benefits.
Absolutely, it’s a great blend of tradition and contemporary understanding.
This article serves as a great reference for anyone looking to start or improve their yoga practice, especially in relation to meal timing.
It’s a great resource for maintaining a healthy and balanced yoga practice.
Indeed, it serves as a comprehensive guide for yoga practitioners.
I’m glad this article highlights that flexibility is not a requirement to start practicing yoga, it makes it more accessible for everyone.
It’s certainly wonderful how inclusive yoga practice can be.
Absolutely, yoga is for everyone regardless of their body’s flexibility.
The scientific approach to the subject matter in this article brings a new level of understanding to the practice of yoga and its benefits.
This article really helps bridge the gap between yoga and science.
I agree, the detailed explanations are very enlightening.