New to Bikram yoga and interested to know if there’s any foods that will enhance or detract from your experience? Well, while there is no specific yoga diet plan, one of the main goals of Bikram yoga is support the proper nutrition of the body and maximise it’s ability to digest foods, which can have the brilliant side effect of weight loss if needed. There are some general guidelines about what to eat before and after a Bikram yoga class as well as what food is beneficial when practicing this form of yoga.

These include:

• Eating several small, light meals through out the day instead of three big heavy ones
• Getting a variety of healthy, wholefood proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins, to keep energy levels up
• Keeping your consumption of unhealthy food choices, caffeine, artificial sugars, spciy foods and dairy products to a minimum (especially prior to practice)
• Some people feel more energetic in class if they have eaten a small nutritious snack or some fruit an hour or so before class. Others insist they can only practice on an empty stomach, or if they keep a gap of four hours or more between their last meal and their yoga class. After a few sessions of your own, you will know what works best for your body.
• If you feel really hungry straight after class, keep on hand somse healthy energy boosters such as nuts, a banana, some fresh fruit or vegetable juice
• A lot of people believe that Bikram (or any style of yoga) demands a vegetarian diet. This is not true though you may benefit from switching to leaner meats such as chicken or turkey.
• The most important addition to any Bikram yoga “diet” is water. It is absolutely necessary to drink at least two to three litres of water a day to stay hydrated and balance out electrolyte levels in the body.

Keep in mind weight loss with Bikram yoga can be a gradual process and therefore it requires a commitment both inside and outside the room. Consult your nutritionist or doctor for more guidance on what is right for you and your ongoing lifestyle.

Some other Bikram yoga benefits, directly related to the digestive track:

• Burning 600 – 1500 calories per session
• Improving the lymphatic system and helping flush the body of toxins
• Improving metabolism and making weight loss easier
• Lessening unhealthy food cravings
• Helps heal digestive problems
• Builds muscle tone

Namaste xx