Fueling your yoga practice

Yoga postures involve a lot of bending, twisting, stretching, and balancing, and it is important to avoid heavy meals that might cause digestive discomfort.

For instance,  PRETZEL POSE compresses and massages the digestive organs in order to flush out toxins from the kidney, liver, and spleen.  These organs get a fresh supply of blood and oxygen once the twist is released.

Illustration by Kathleen Rietz, and adapted from The ABCs of Yoga for Kids (R)

Instead, try fueling up with a light snack an hour before practicing yoga to invigorate your body and get your mind focused. For example, snack on a handful of nuts or eat a leafy-green salad with a quarter of an avocado or a drizzle of olive oil. 

Healthy fats in moderation can fill you up, stabilize blood sugar levels, boost brain function, and prevent hunger pangs during or before practicing yoga.