One of the most important yet often forgotten factors for a successful yoga session is not having a full stomach. It is commonly recommended to do yoga in the morning before eating anything.
Although considering the busy lives we live, this is not always possible. Sometimes, you have to fit in your workout or yoga practice whenever you can find the time. In these cases, eating the right foods at the right time is crucial to having a beneficial yoga session.
For How Long Do You Need to Wait to Do Yoga After Eating?
It is best practice to avoid eating a heavy meal and practice yoga afterward. However, in the case it’s unavoidable, you should allow 3-4 hours before starting your yoga workout.
You should wait 1-2 hours to eat a light meal. If you have consumed juice or fresh fruits, you should wait 30-45 minutes. It is also advised to wait 15 minutes after drinking water.
If yoga is practiced in the morning, after you’ve worked up, it is best to practice on an empty surgery.
Should You Wait Longer to Do Yoga After a Heavy Meal?
After a heavy meal, it is recommended to wait longer before doing yoga to allow your body a chance to digest a little bit before exerting yourself physically.
Your body needs time to digest, and it can feel unpleasant to exercise shortly after consuming a heavy meal.
The amount of time you should wait depends on what you have eaten. For example, some fruits and vegetables can be digested in a couple of hours, whereas it can take 6-8 hours to digest large amounts of meat.
If you have eaten a heavy meal, it’s important not to rush yourself and to listen to your body.
When is the Best Time for Yoga after Eating?
It is widely believed that the ideal time for yoga after eating is in the morning, within 1 -2 hours of waking up.
Why is Doing Yoga Short After Eating Not Recommended?
The first reason is that your body uses a lot of energy to digest food, especially in the moments directly after eating. Because of this, if you go straight into doing yoga, your body will not be putting the necessary energy into the poses but rather into digestion.
Secondly, it is believed that practicing yoga on an empty stomach is better because certain positions can be uncomfortable with a full stomach.
For example, there are some poses that require you to twist your abdomen or practice backbends and inversions. These poses will be particularly unpleasant with a full stomach. An empty stomach will allow you to easily achieve the stillness required.
This idea originates from the traditional origins of yoga in India. However, nowadays, most people don’t follow the same strict discipline as traditional yogis.
So if you feel hungry but still want to get the most from your yoga session, it’s recommended that you eat something and try to find a good balance.
Is it Better to Do Yoga on an Empty Stomach or Directly After Lunch if You Do Not Have the Time?
It is better to do yoga on an empty stomach. Practicing yoga on a full stomach will not have serious consequences, but it can negatively impact your energy levels and ability to maintain proper poses.
Final Thoughts on Waiting to Do Yoga After Lunch
It is not an absolute rule that you must practice yoga on an empty stomach anymore. Whilst some people believe this is best practice, sometimes our schedules don’t allow for this. If you do eat a heavy meal before yoga, it’s advised to wait 3-4 hours.
If you eat a light meal, 1-2 hours will suffice. Whilst it is not harmful to your body to do yoga on a full stomach, your experience will be more beneficial and pleasant if you allow your body time to digest before exercising.