Category: Yoga

How Yoga Helped Me Overcome My Chronic Thyroid Disorder

My journey with thyroid disease began when I was 16 years old. I had red bumps on my arms and legs and battled with a sluggishness that never went away—a feeling that only worsened when I came down with mono. During my senior year of high school, I was constantly exhausted and had to miss out on things a healthy teenager would attend without a second thought, like homecoming. Doctors diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and said a dose of Synthroid each morning would relieve all my symptoms. I was put on the birth control pill at the ripe age of 18 to balance my hormones, help me lose weight, and clear my skin.

Fast-forward to college, when I was constantly dealing with sinus infections and sore throats. The health center had a prescription Z-pack for me waiting whenever I visited—a quick fix for the congestion, puffiness, brain fog, and body aches. Wherever I went, I had a steady supply of meds like Lactase, Ex-lax, and Pepto, to ease the bloating, constipation, and post-meal nausea I experienced daily.

I graduated with honors in biomedical engineering and landed a swanky desk job at a prestigious investment bank in New York City. I often experienced vertigo when staring at my computer and starting getting daily migraines, for which I took Excedrin. I’d also pop a Zyrtec with my Synthroid before my cereal and milk each morning to clear my stuffy, runny nose. Even with all of that, I still felt awful. I went to some of the best endocrinologists in New York and was told over and over that the symptoms I was feeling were “normal” for those with hypothyroidism.

Finally, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroiditis, the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. My own immune system was destroying my thyroid cells. This “attack and destroy” can cause wild symptom swings from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid and back. If this continued, it would lead to a lifelong dependence on thyroid hormone medication.

I’d had enough. I thought to myself, I studied biomedical engineering. Why can’t I figure this out? Turns out, I could…but in an unexpected place.

DISCOVERING THE HEALING POWER OF YOGA

On a particularly stressful day at the office, I slipped out on my lunch break to a yoga studio I passed every day. For some reason on this day, I felt called to check it out. I was used to taking intense (and very draining) Spinning and bootcamp classes to numb my pain and lose weight, so I thought this would be a nice break. Little did I know it’d be so much more.

As I moved my body mindfully while moving through asana (postures), the mental cloudiness I’d always felt magically lifted. I became introspective. I’d stand in tree pose and think, why am I always nauseous and dizzy after eating? In twists, why do I experience sharp stomach pains after certain meals and have to unbutton my pants at my desk? I’d move into downward dog and think, why are my migraines worse on certain days? Why do I feel puffy and foggy on some days, while other days light and graceful in yoga class?

Each time I returned to my yoga mat, I not only felt a new sense of clarity and balance but also felt safe, comforted, and loved — feelings I had been lacking in my life—and I realized that this practice allowed me to connect with myself in a way that I hadn’t been able to elsewhere.

The journey to self-healing starts with a single step—which often is outside our comfort zone—and a commitment to feeling radiant and healthy.

One of my teachers at the studio, Donnalynn Civello, was especially inspirational. I joined Donnalynn’s cooking and nutritional classes, as well, and began seeing patterns between my symptoms and food choices: I would often get headaches after eating prepared, microwaveable meals or bagels and pizza. Paralyzing stomach pains flared up if I ate anything with dairy, gluten, or soy.

At home, I began experimenting with blending soups and smoothies. I started spiraling vegetables and creating creamy sauces with nuts and seeds. I knew I was on a path to healing because I felt entirely different: I felt alive and free in my body and mind.

I’ve continued to study yoga and clean up my microbiome, now understanding how important both are for sustained well-being. I’ve learned how to manage my symptoms—not only through yoga but through meditation, breathwork, and holistic lifestyle rituals including energy work, essential oils, and herbal tonics.

HEALING MYSELF, THEN HEALING OTHERS

In the last few years, I have recently discovered the power of Kundalini yoga practice and have since incorporated a daily Kundalini sadhana—or daily morning practice—into my life. It has become a life-changing component of my signature Thyroid.Yoga™ program. I’ve witnessed hundreds of clients notice a new, powerful ability to magnetize opportunities into their lives and heal their bodies on a mitochondrial level.

We are all in some way asleep and need to awaken to our true selves. Often, we are called to awaken suddenly. An awakening call can come as a form of disease/dis-ease, accident, or heartbreak. Such a call often comes as pain. However, the touch that brings awakening, the touch from our soul speaking to us, is one that often brings us to a deep spiritual practice.

The journey to self-healing is not easy. In order to truly heal, we must engage in deep introspection on the emotional and energetics behind why our immune systems were weakened in the first place or why we held on to the stagnation in our glandular systems. This is the true yoga—so much more than doing bendy photos on your yoga mat!

When I think about it, I still can’t believe my healing started because I took a chance on a yoga class nearly seven years ago.

I never would have guessed that this yoga class would have inspired me to become my own inner healer and later to become a teacher to empower others to find this intuitive wisdom as well. The truth is, we have to start with a first step—which often is outside our comfort zone—and a commitment to feel radiant and healthy by integrating these practices into our lives every day with devotion to show up for ourselves.

– Fern Olivia Langham
Yoga, intuitive healer, reiki, holistic lifestyle influencer,
Founder Thyroid Yoga® & Ajai Alchemy

The point you are at in life is exactly where we all start our yoga journey. A little hesitant and feeling unsure because you are unaware of what you are seeking and how yoga was going to help. Just be aware that you are setting yourself on a wonderful journey of self-compassion and self-awareness. I know it is a scary thought to place yourself in a full room of people that seem like professional yogis but the truth is you never know how far they are on their journey. One of the most challenging aspects of yoga isn’t about opening up the body, it is the opening of the mind. Become acceptable to change and willing to learn. For a moment here, allow yourself to feel like a child who knows nothing, starting from ground zero. Let go of all the ideas and misconceptions that may be holding you back. “I’m not that flexible” or “I’m too old to do yoga” or whatever it is that isn’t allowing you to unroll the mat.

Like you, I read quite a few blogs and articles trying to find a way to connect with my inner self. To find my purpose here, to do something more meaningful with my life at the same time prioritising my health. I strongly believe that most of us go through this phase of reflection only when we are surrounded by complete chaos. Be it the busy work lives, tiring parenting cycles, consuming relationships or traumatic situations but with time you will realise that this reflection can become a conscious way of life and not something incidental. Trust me when I say, I know exactly how you are feeling because this is exactly where I started my long-term relationship with yoga.

Now, you are going to go to that class, prepare your mind and let it prepare your body. Remember that you are dedicating this time of your life to your wellbeing and your fitness goals. And no! Fitness doesn’t always mean lifting weights or completing a marathon, yoga isn’t meant for only flexible bodies or for women and you don’t need the mountains or a vacation to feel free and connected. You will know the truth in these words once you’re pursuing your practice with dedication. The time you spend on the mat breathing slowly and letting go of the hurricane of thoughts in your head will start ruling your life off the mat.

Irrespective of our physical strengths and limitations, irrespective of our fears, self-doubts, and judgments, we can always be grateful for every moment that we interact with ourselves and with everyone around us. May your journey keep you challenged, inspired, humbled, and above all, the best possible version of yourself that you can be. I’m not your yoga instructor and I won’t be the girl who shows off her perfect headstand – I’m a friend, a fellow beginner like you who wants you to step out and discover the world on the mat!

Resolutions Of Spiritual Fitness

Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, Anniversaries and more – Milestones and reminders of the year gone by. These occasions marking a moment of life transitions make us reflect back on the things we achieved and those we failed at. Some of us turn around to start afresh and make new commitments to our health, our bodies, work routines and lifestyle but how many times have these commitments changed us on the outside? And why haven’t we reflected on how kind we were this year or showing empathy to those around us? Hardly, right? Because deep inside we know these areas that need our focus but often get blurred with displaced priorities.

Our physical fitness is surely important and crucial for us to function but our spiritual health determines the extent to which we can allow the functioning. While you will build your muscles and tone your body through physical training don’t discount the power of spiritual fitness. Your mind achieves a sense of calm and balance when you allow it to have faith in a higher power. No, we are not saying religion or a prayer, that is the most common misconception. We are really just thinking of taking control of attitude, beliefs and practices that impact our healths. Thats true! Just as we have or physical fitness levels, we have our spiritual fitness levels too – they rule our energy levels, moods, concentration and the overall alignment of our bodies.

Here are some ways you can start your journey of spiritual fitness:

1. Declutter the negative:

This one is a task for you to do – Keep away from all that brings negativity to your mind. Look at it like this, the space in our minds is precious and limited. The thoughts, beliefs and opinions that we allow in, stay! Lessen the external chaos to bring internal calmness and stay balanced.

2. Know your spiritual side:

When we set ourselves on the spiritual quest, we overlook our personality or what defines spirituality for us. It is pretty much the same like our other preferences – no two people have the same personality and your spiritual practice is something for you to explore. Begin by creating a list of activities that make you happy or bring peace.

3. Build a community:

The people you surround yourself with make all the contribution in your spiritual growth. If you’re starting alone then find and connect with people who have a similar quest as yours. They will motivate your intentions and become a larger part of supporting spiritual growth.

4. Break the cycle:

Dedicate yourself to one daily and one weekly practice, something that reconnects you internally and breaks the on going chaos from you daily routine. Between family, work, routine and chores – there is enough to take your day away but allowing exclusive 30 minutes to yourself will bring back internal alignment.

These are some great simple ways to begin your journey so resolutions or no resolutions, make yourself a promise to gain spiritual strength!

Food That Balances Your Body & Mind

Yoga and nutrition are two sides of the same coin and that leaves one incomplete without the other. Yogic wisdom comes from accepting the right nutrition for the body and conscious consumption of pure foods but we often miss one for the other. It also believes that our mind, body and soul are one, which cannot be separated. Our bodies achieve balance through our exercise, spirituality and by bringing about harmony in our surroundings – including the way we live, eat and also breath.

According to Ayurvedic principles, in order to achieve physical strength, a calm mind and good health – we must consume the purest forms of foods also known as sattvic foods in the Ayurvedic terminology. These foods are light, easily digestible and many of them grow above the ground adding beneficial effects on the body’s nervous and also digestive systems. Sattvic foods can help enhance your practice and promote a calm mind + a fit body with a balanced flow of energy between the two.

The following foods help promote holistic wellness and bring your mind, body and soul in alignment.

1. Ghee

The Vedas call ghee the ‘first and the most essential of all foods‘.and ghee is a central element of the Vedic culture. It is sacred and a celebrated symbol of auspiciousness, nourishment and healing as well as an esteemed article of everyday use.

2. Sprouted whole grains

The prime source of nourishment whole sprouted grains are symbolic of health, happiness, and prosperity. You could consider adding oatmeal, barley or sprouted rice to your meals.

3. Fresh Organic Fruits

Most fruits like apples, bananas, berries, grapes, melons, oranges, peaches, and plums are considered especially sattvic. Organic fruits are also considered symbols of spirituality and generosity.

4. Honey

Your best alternate to white sugar, honey can be used in moderation as part of a pure diet.

5. Nuts and seeds

Make this a good night ritual – soak a handful of nuts and seeds overnight to remove their natural enzyme inhibitors, this makes them easier for your body to digest. Almonds, hemp seeds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, walnuts, and flax seeds are all great choices.

6. Legumes

Use a magic spell to identify the best of them “the smaller the better”. Smaller beans, such as mung beans, split peas, and lentils, are easier to digest and are beneficial for the body. Legumes combines with whole grains act as a complete protein source.

7. Herbs

Herbs directly support the mind and are also often used in conjunction with meditation. Common sattvic herbs include:

Ashwagandha – To combat stress, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Bacopa – To reduce anxiety and improve memory formation.

Calamus – Used as a sedative and muscle relaxant.

Gotu kola – To enhance meditation.

Gingko – To balance many symptoms of dis-ease within the body, including issues with the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Saffron –  To pacify all three doshas, and it is often used in cooking.

Tulsi – To help balance the body.

Yoga, nutrition and ayurveda are one in their composition. Yoga is food for the body while nutrition and ayurveda together heal the body internally through various foods. Together, yoga, meditation, nutrition, and herbal supplements can help ground the body and enlighten the mind.

YOGA ASANAS TO ACE YOUR RUN

Yoga Asanas To Ace Your Run

You don’t remember the last time you went to the gym or exercised without your shoes on because nothing works your adrenaline as much as a run? Then you’re in it for the runner’s high?. While running is a great form of exercise, we often neglect the additional workout our bodies require to bring flexibility. Flexibility is the greatest benefit of practising yoga. Following a simple yoga routine before your run to warm up and post run to cool down can bring a great change in your physical abilities. Some of us feel yoga only works a part of our cardiovascular muscles but it is interesting to know that with the right intensity, yoga can challenge our physical capabilities just as much as Running. Moreover, yoga can provide the much needed focus, balance and control one needs to accomplish their greatest runs.

Here are 4 asanas to help you stay resistant / immune injury prone and make you a better runner.

1. Low Lunge

Benefits: Stretches hip flexors; strengthens hamstrings and quads. This asana demands a strong sense of balance.

To Do: From Downward Dog, step your right foot forward between your hands. Lower your left knee and, keeping the right knee in place, slide the left one back. Turn the top of your left foot to the floor and lift your torso upright. Then sweep your arms out to the sides and up overhead. Drop your tailbone toward the floor and look up. Hold for 10 breaths, release, and repeat on the other side.

2. Reclining Pigeon

Benefits: Releases tension and tightness in the hips.

To Do: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your thighs parallel and hip-distance apart. Cross your left ankle over your right thigh. Reach your left arm through the space between your thighs and reach your right arm around the outside of your right thigh.

Clasp your hands below your right knee and flex your left foot. If your head comes off your mat, place a pillow or block beneath your head. Hold for 10 breaths and repeat on the other leg.

3. Reclining Spinal Twist

Benefits: Relaxes the lower back and stretches the glutes.

To Do: From Reclining Cow Face, lower your legs and twist to your left while keeping your legs intertwined. Extend both arms out to your sides. Turn your head to the right and relax for 10 breaths. Switch sides.

4. Legs Up the Wall

Benefits: Relieves tension in legs, feet, and back; stretches hamstrings and glutes.

To Do: Slide up beside an open wall space, with your hips as close to the base of the wall as is comfortable. Swing your legs up the wall and lie back. Rest here anywhere from 10 breaths to 10 minutes. Some people even nod off—sleep is the most essential recovery pose.

Yoga Asanas for a flexible body

The practice of yoga travels 5,000 years ago, in its developmental stages when it was regarded as an ancient Indian science of exercise and healing. It has since then believed to be one of the most holistic healing approach with many benefits for our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Today, practising yoga has gained popularity for its ability to provide instant gratification and long term transformation. There are two of the most essential objectives for all those who start their fitness journey. The reason we give up on our health, wellbeing or any aspect capable of improvement is monotony and stagnation. Most of us look for quick results and significant improvements which unfortunately isn’t possible in a natural organic scenario. Practically understood as a physical play of aasanas, one only feels the unity of their body, mind and breath from personal experience with yoga.

Flexibility

Of all the benefits of yoga, let’s discuss more about one of its key physical benefits – Flexibility. We all know that practising yoga loosens our muscles, gradually allowing our body to perform all asanas to perfection with practice and time. We assume the initial stiffness comes from the lack of exercise but actually it is far simpler – it is a lack of basic movement. Spending hours at your desk, watching television on the couch or looking down at your phone (text neck – Yes, they have a name for this modern spine ailment) – everything adds up. Our body’s huge vascular system works its complex network on tiny capillaries which are constantly affected by our movements. The tightness in your hamstrings indicates impaired circulation to your connective tissues while the stiffness in your neck could be due to the long hours you’re spending at your desk burning the midnight oil. No matter the case – move. Incase you’re busy and don’t have the time to dedicate to yoga, make it a routine to do some simple exercises without a mat. Find some here.

But for those of us who are setting themselves on their yoga journey, these simple yoga poses will help your flexibility and in no time will you be touching your toes or doing the asanas you once thought you couldn’t.

1. Cat and cow pose /Bitilasana:

A wonderful way to warm up, the cat and cow pose is a sequence that stretches the spine and prepares the body for activity.

2. Intense side stretch pose /Parsvottanasana:

A mix of a forward bend and balancing techniques, the intense side stretch pose opens up the shoulders and hips while stretching the hamstrings.

3. Plough pose /Halasana:

A challenging one, the plough pose is an inverted pose that has the ability to renew the entire body. Experts recommend this pose for mental and physical benefits.

These asanas provide the essential benefit of yoga, allowing you maximise your physical capabilities and improve your ability to stretch and bend.

Role of nutrition in yoga

Most of us overlook the connection between yoga and the right nutrition simply because we have never heard any specific dietary rules for yoga practitioners, only a guidance to consume natural foods in moderation. However, just like life – diet is an integral part of yoga. Following a well balanced diet provides all the important vitamins, minerals and nutrients you need for your body and mind to be strong and healthy. A yogis diet does not believe in counting calories instead it completely focuses on health improvement and reducing the need for medication by controlling the type of food and its quality.

The universe is classified to have one of these three properties, or gunas: rajas, tamas and sattva. Rajas is a state of energy or motion and rajasic foods include fried and spicy foods. Tamas is a state of inertia or inactivity and tamasic foods are heavy, low in nutritional value and lack vital energy. These include meats, junk food and fast food. Sattva is a state of balance, harmony and joy and sattvic foods are fresh, pure and high in nutrients like fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. All yogis aspire to reach a state of Sattva through their actions, thoughts, beliefs including the food.

What makes your diet the central chakra of yoga?

Yoga activates and works on each and every part of our body. Without providing the right food to our body, we will only make it difficult for it perform at its best. Let’s understand how this works.

– Body movements in yoga are practised through various postures that release the tension from our muscles without exerting them unlike activates that involve a high intensity work out. Our muscle tissues can withstand the stress without any injury only if they are well nourished and hydrated.

– Essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants protect and nourish our brain, enabling it to perform vital tasks. In yoga, our brains go through increased activity while reciting mantras, even though our bodies are at complete rest. Depriving the brain of the essential nutrients will eventually impact your brain functioning.

– Yoga involves various breathing techniques like slow or fast breathing, holding or suspension of breath. All of which are directly related to our nervous system. Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are essential for a healthy nervous system without which simple breathing can seem like a task in your practice.

Find your match.

We all know our favourite foods and recipes but what troubles our body always remains an unsolved mystery. This mystery can only unfold through internal awareness which one gains from practicing yoga regularly. A great way to do this is to keep a food diary. Where you can write the food you eat and how you feel after. Something might taste great but makes you feel acidic, lethargic or causes sleeplessness will instantly pop up when you review your diary on a fortnightly cycle. While it may take a while to get used to the process and identity the food best suited for your gut, it sure is great way to plan a healthy meal – made just for YOU!

Meditation – The Art of Doing Nothing

The moment you feel at peace, with yourself, your surrounding and the people around you, is the moment of deep meditation but do we really believe it is that easy? No! Because somehow we’ve forgotten the simple things have become accustomed to complicating our lives. Meditation focuses most on achieving stillness and peace of mind. But when we start practicing meditation, we get consumed in perfecting its technique. This can allow ourselves to forget the true essence of the practise. Let’s take a step back and reflect on why do we really meditate? To overcome stress and anxiety, gain compassion, passion, wisdom, inner strength and inner peace.

Now, let’s make it simple again?

Planning to do nothing

Meditation is no different than planning for a regular task from you routine so it has to tie in to a time, place and purpose. Ideally, mornings are the preferred time of the day for practising meditation because our minds are at their calmest. Chose a time you are can realistically commit to on a regular basis. Choosing a place for meditation is about creating a virtual experience that is sacred, so select a quiet place where you will not be disturbed during your practice. Also, try to be as consistent in this place as you can be to help train the mind and bring a sense of calmness. Now, without allowing our mind to question the purpose of doing nothing, awaken a sense of curiosity to go beyond the mind and experience our essential nature.

Challenges while doing nothing

Did you ever think, it could be so hard to sit down and do nothing at all. For those of you who have tried to meditate, know that the greatest obstacle between us and this spiritual awareness is our mind. While you are supposed to focus on your practice, your mind keeps wandering off to places. During meditation, you want your mind to relax after a long day at work but instead you get  stressed and anxious about why you’re unable to relax. This happens because the mind is caught up in its own world. It won’t be able to silence the noise to focus on the breaths, chants or any chosen subject. Listening to music, exercising or a light brisk walk can help calm the mind, bringing it out of this restless state. What we really need, is to identify at least one external mean that helps take our mind off our worries in times of high stress and anxiety.

Sustaining your practice:

– Dedicate a time every day for silence, as a gift to your soul
– Practice with a group or friend
– Pause from the busyness of life. Allow yourself to establish a contact with your body and breath creating awareness
– If you miss your practice for a day, a week, a month, simply begin again.
– Always remember the inspiration that set you on this journey of spiritual awakening

These are simple ways one may want to remember. To take your meditation to a deeper level of achieving spiritual awakening and freedom.

“You are traveling a path that has led to clarity, peace and deep realisation for many people over thousands of years. May their awakening support and inspire you. And may the sincerity of your practice heal and free your spirit. ~ Tara Brach ~”

Supplements or no supplements?

Supplements or no supplements? We have all asked ourselves this question – out of fear or out of concern, haven’t we? Most people we know either believe in the magic pills or they don’t because you know nutrition equals real food and nothing else. It’s not surprising that this leaves us confused and worried.

So first, let’s understand what is a supplement?

What is a supplement?

  • A supplement is a product intended for ingestion that contains a “dietary ingredient” intended to add further nutritional value to (supplement) the diet.
  • This ingredient could be one or any combination of – a vitamin, a mineral, a herb, amino acid or even a dietary substance for use by people to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake.

The most essential thing to know about supplements is that though it is a great source of nutrition, it can never replace food. Ideally, all the nutrients our body needs including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are obtained from a well-balanced diet. Supplements only support our diet to ensure adequate daily intake of basic nutritional needs that may otherwise not be consumed in sufficient quantities.

Why we might need supplements?

We may not require supplements, at all, if our diet was perfect and we exercised every day. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case because we’re living stressful lives, consuming poor quality – low calorie meals and rarely indulging in any form of exercise. This lifestyle over a period of time will lead to nutritional deficiencies, poor health and chronic diseases. It is essential that we consume a balanced diet rich in locally grown green vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts for us to fulfil our nutritional needs. However, in current scenario, the food we consume is grown repeatedly on the same land depleting the soil of essential vitamins and minerals, leaving fewer nutrients for the plants to grow. This may be a reason, a high number of our population is deficient in one or more vitamins or minerals. This is where the importance of finding safe, high-quality and effective nutritional supplements becomes important.

Most people find it “normal” to consume generic supplements like multivitamins and minerals and end up ignoring other essentials like Vitamin B12, Biotin, Magnesium, Flaxseed, Turmeric, Black Pepper. We often forget that, each one of us is different and so are our nutritional needs. You may be a ‘working lady’ whose office hours are way beyond 9 to 6 or a ‘Mother to a toddler’ who hasn’t had a 7 hour sleep in months. Neither of those situations can be an excuse to deprive your body of the nutritious diet it deserves. Though evidence proves that consuming nutrients from food is far more beneficial than supplements but its only wise to know that isn’t enough anymore.

Top 10 Nutrition tips for your yoga practice

There are many beliefs and changing statements on what, when and how you should eat as a yogi. However, in truth, your diet and eating habits are as unique as your lifestyle, your practice and your goals.

Don’t Eat Heavy Meals Beforehand

It is commonly agreed that eating too much before a practice leads to a full, tired and groggy feeling which can limit your practice. It can also make you feel uncomfortable because you are working your digestive system in some asanas. Therefore, small and often is better than a large meal, and avoid anything other than a snack for 2 hours before your yoga practice.

Other Yogis believe in fasting or only eating specific foods, but others believe that this may reduce your strength if done regularly or for long periods of time.

Mindful Eating

Yoga promotes good health and strength and also encourages discipline. It is a mindful practice which is life changing. Food is our primary source of energy, offering us strength and wellness. If we reflect the mindfulness of yoga into our eating habits, and practice discipline, we will also see greater benefits than if we don’t. Mindful eating can prevent overeating and ensure we eat foods which strengthen, as opposed to weaken, our bodies. Therefore, it can well be argued that the links between nutrition and yoga are very close. So what should we be nourishing our bodies with as a Yogi?

Berries

Berries are a well known superfood, offering a whole host of nutrients and goodness. Their bright colour suggests to us that they are full of disease-fighting antioxidants. Berries are high in natural sugars, giving you a good supply of energy throughout your yoga practice, without the dreaded sugar crash from artificial sugary food. They are also high in fibre, which helps to prevent hunger pangs and strengthen your digestive system.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Dark green vegetables are full of vitamins C, E and K, calcium, iron and fibre. Eating these nutritious greens will allow the benefits of yoga to be even greater, as you allow your body to become the very best it can be.

Tofu

It is very common for yogis to be vegetarians. The discipline of the practice, teamed with the discipline of a vegetarian diet is said to be very beneficial for both the mind and body. However, it is still vital to find a strong source of protein, especially for someone as physically active as a Yogi.

Tofu is a complete protein source, due to the 9 essential amino acids which it provides. In addition to this, it has a low fat and low sugar content, making it a great choice for your protein source.

Nuts

From almonds to cashew nuts, peanuts to walnuts, nuts are a great source of good fat and protein. Nuts boost energy and satisfy hunger, with their slow release. You can enjoy nuts as a snack, although avoid the salted or coated options, or you can have nut butters and dips to offer more variety.

Hydration

Water is an essential part of nutrition to keep our bodies working to the best of their ability. As well as drinking water, we can ensure we consume hydrating foods, such as cucumber and lettuce. The body can more easily absorb water in this way, making it a great way to hydrate.

Quinoa

Quinoa is another super food, with a high source of protein. It provides you with energy and improved concentration, as well as being a great source of iron, magnesium and vitamin B2. The compounds of quinoa promotes healthy blood and blood sugar levels, and much more.

Avoid

Refined sugars, alcohol, caffeine and unhealthy fats can all have a negative effect on how your body functions. It can add to the ageing process, inhibit concentration, increase your weight and body fat, increase diabetes risks, heart disease and so much more. By focusing on what can strengthen our body instead of poisoning ourselves we can live a much longer, happier and healthier life.

Gratitude

Like life, food is a gift. It is our source of energy and strength, but it is also a pleasure and something which we should be grateful for. When meals have been lovingly prepared, it is important we give them the gratitude which they so deserve.