Can Intermittent Fasting Help You?
Is Intermittent Fasting Beneficial for Yoga?
Can Intermittent Fasting be Beneficial for Yoga?
Most people know intermittent fasting as a dieting technique. Studies have shown that it can be used to lose weight and boost mental clarity while increasing lifespan. It is commonly practiced by the ketogenic diet community, those looking to lose weight, or those simply trying to simplify their lives.
What most people need to realize is that intermittent fasting may also be beneficial for yoga practice.
What is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a type of diet that alternates between periods of fasting and non-fasting. Proponents of intermittent fasting believe that short-term fasts can burn fat, build muscle, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. But does intermittent fasting have a place for people who practice yoga? Let's find out.
How Does Intermittent Fasting Increase your Health and Energy?
One of the effects of intermittent fasting is an increase in human growth hormone (HGH), also known as "the fitness hormone." HGH is almost exclusively released while you sleep, but if you fast intermittently, your body will sense that it has been too long since your last meal. This can trigger the secretion of HGH. Research shows that HGH can improve insulin sensitivity, build muscles, reduce fat storage and burn fat, and help protect the heart and brain against disease.
Does Improved Health and Energy Help with Yoga?
Intermittent fasting can make yoga easier, more effective, and more fun. When fasting, your body has less energy to fill your gut with digestive enzymes. This means that food will move through your body faster, which means a higher concentration of vital nutrients will be absorbed into your bloodstream.
You'll also have less intestinal discomfort or bloating, which is especially helpful for people who practice intense asanas like backbends and twists if you're prone to bloating; practice yoga in the morning and fast intermittently within each session. When fasting, your body won't use as much glucose as usual because it has stored even more sugar in its fat cells. This means regular exercise and intense yoga sessions may become more accessible and enjoyable.
Should You Try Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a great way to burn fat while improving your health, energy, and fitness. It can also help with yoga by giving you clarity and focus. Many yogis practice intermittent fasting to improve their performances during long asana sessions or intensify their sadhana. If you try intermittent fasting, remember to avoid food during the workout, but have a healthy snack afterward.
Some of the benefits of intermittent fasting include the following:
- Improved insulin sensitivity and reduced risk of diabetes
- HGH increase for increased muscle growth, fat loss, and athletic performance
- Improved circulation and reduced risk of cancer
- Increased vitality and focus during intense practice
- Improved digestion by releasing stored sugar from your fat cells
You can learn more about the benefits of fasting and diet thats help you with all the above in our Health & Nutrition Course.
You probably thought intermittent fasting was just a dieting technique. It is, but it can also improve your yoga practice by increasing your energy, focus, and health. You'll have more time to practice during sessions and less time to feel uncomfortable after them. Give intermittent fasting a try, and you may enjoy yoga even more than before!
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