Are There any Benefits of Practicing Yoga while Fasting? Here are Some Facts

Fasting can provide health benefits such as cleansing the body from toxins and improving immune function. Meanwhile, Yoga can help reduce stress, improve flexibility and strength, as well as enhance concentration and focus.

However, during fasting, it is important to note that the body may not have enough energy intake to perform intensive Yoga exercises. Therefore, it is better to choose lighter and more relaxing Yoga exercises and to practice at the right time, such as before breaking the fast or after dinner.

In addition, it is important to follow the recommendations of a qualified Yoga instructor to ensure safe and beneficial practice during fasting.

During fasting in the month of Ramadan, maintaining a healthy body is a must. In addition to regular eating and sleeping patterns, exercise can also help maintain a healthy body during fasting. One type of exercise that can be done during fasting is yoga.

Yoga is a sport that involves movement, postures, breathing techniques and recovery to strengthen the body and mind. The intensity and level of difficulty of yoga postures or asanas varies from easy to difficult. However, doing yoga while fasting has benefits for the body as explained below:

1. Keeping the body active without feeling tired

Yoga not only helps build body strength, but also improves body flexibility and tone. This is suitable for fasting because it does not require a lot of energy that can make the body feel tired or thirsty. Yoga also focuses on constant and rhythmic body movements, not on burning calories.

2. Improve Sleep Quality and Prevent Insomnia

Research shows that yoga can improve the quality of a person's sleep. This can happen because the energy expended during exercise helps increase drowsiness at night and makes you sleep better. In addition, yoga can also make the body more relaxed and help reduce stress, making it easier for someone to sleep.

3. Increase Flexibility and Body Balance

Yoga is a sport that involves complex and varied body movements and positions. Through regular yoga practice, you can improve your body's flexibility and balance. This can help reduce your risk of injury and improve the quality of your movement.

4. Improve Strength and Physical Condition

Yoga practice involves movements that require physical strength and endurance. With regular practice, you can improve your strength and physical condition. This can help improve heart and lung health, improve bone and muscle health, and help reduce the risk of obesity.

5. Pushing Body Energy

Through the movements and body positions you engage in during yoga, you can help improve blood circulation and carry oxygen to the cardiovascular system. This can stimulate a fresher feeling of the body. In addition, any exercise can increase the production of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These hormones can elevate mood and trigger the body to feel more productive.

6. Increases Peace of Mind

The main goal of yoga is to focus the mind on the body and take complete control over the body. Through the practice of healing and yogic breathing, you can experience feelings of depression, peace of mind, and mental clarity. This aspect of yoga can help achieve the goal of the month of Ramadan and fasting, which is to cleanse the heart and mind.

7. Accelerate the Release of Toxins from the Body

Mild body stretching can speed up the process of cleaning harmful substances from the body. Through yoga, you can sweat more, breathe faster and improve blood circulation. This can help remove toxins from the body and reduce the risk of illness or health complaints such as migraines or the flu.

Tips for Doing Yoga During Ramadan

Yoga is a great way to maintain physical fitness and inner peace during Ramadan. Here are some tips for practicing yoga during Ramadan:

Choose the right time: It's best to practice yoga either before Suhoor or after Iftar. Try to avoid practicing yoga during the middle of the day when the heat and hunger can make it difficult to focus.
Keep it gentle: It's important to remember that Ramadan is a time of fasting and spiritual reflection, so it's best to keep your yoga practice gentle and restorative. Avoid vigorous or strenuous yoga practices that may cause exhaustion or dehydration.
Stay hydrated: During Ramadan, it's important to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration, especially when practicing yoga. Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your yoga practice.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is an integral part of yoga practice, and it can help you to stay focused and centered during Ramadan. Take a few minutes before your practice to set an intention for your practice, and try to stay present and mindful throughout your practice.
Listen to your body: During Ramadan, your body may be more tired than usual, so it's important to listen to your body and practice yoga at your own pace. If you feel fatigued or lightheaded, take a break or stop your practice altogether.
Respect the spiritual significance of Ramadan: Yoga is a great way to promote physical and mental well-being, but it's important to remember the spiritual significance of Ramadan. Make sure you take time for prayer, reflection, and community during this important time.

Besides, here also some tips for doing yoga during Ramadan. First, you can choose the right time to do yoga, which is in the morning, two hours before breaking your fast, or two to three hours after breaking your fast.

Second, choose yoga movements that are safe to do when ngabuburit. Be sure to adapt the moves to your physical abilities.

In doing yoga while fasting, you can also experience various benefits such as increased flexibility and balance of the body, increased strength and physical condition, and increased peace of mind and body energy.

However, if you experience certain symptoms of illness during fasting, it is advisable to consult a doctor.