Yoga For Mindfulness 5 Simple Steps That Can Make Your Practice More Effective According To Sadhguru

Yoga is more than a physical workout, according to spiritual leader Sadhguru. According to Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, yoga is “a profound process of aligning your system with the larger geometry of existence.”

Health experts agree that preparing the body before yoga can improve comfort and reduce the risk of injury.

Yoga has gained global popularity for improving flexibility, strength and mental well-being. Research also suggests that regular yoga and meditation may help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression when practised with appropriate measures.

Read more: 7 myths about yoga that you should stop believing

According to the Isha Foundation, practitioners should avoid eating before yoga. The organization recommends maintaining an empty stomach so the body can move freely without directing energy toward digestion.

Many yoga schools advise leaving at least two to three hours after a meal before practising. A light stomach may make forward bends, twists and inversions more comfortable while reducing digestive discomfort.

The foundation suggested taking a cool shower before you get into the first yoga pose.

A shower refreshes the body, improves alertness and prepares the system for yoga. It may also help people feel mentally reset before beginning meditation or breathwork.

The foundation noted that unrestricted clothing allows the body to move freely during yoga. Fitness experts also recommend breathable, non-restrictive clothing to support a full range of motion and improve comfort during exercise.

According to Sadhguru, “When your energies begin to expand within you, you will notice tight-fitting clothes will not be comfortable on your body.”

Read more: What is Yoga Nidra? An expert explains the state of conscious deep sleep for emotional healing

In traditional Indian wellness systems, neem and turmeric are believed to support cleansing and overall health.

According to Sadhguru, eating turmeric and neem also determines how your energy is distributed. “The consumption of neem and turmeric with tepid, light honey water is a wonderful way of cleansing and dilating the cellular structure in such a way that it is able to absorb energy,” Sadhguru has said.

Along with yoga techniques, neem and turmeric can also be a great way to help because they make it easier for your energy to be transmitted evenly. Once you become aware of this, you can choose to direct your energies in the desired direction.

Before you do yoga, you can use an invocation to bring out the best in yourself. Sanskrit, an ancient language that directly links sounds to forms, is typically used for invocations in the yogic tradition. The foundation of Nada Yoga, or the yoga of sound, is the use of sounds to awaken the human system.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical or fitness advice. Practise yoga according to your comfort level, and consult a qualified instructor or healthcare professional if you have any health concerns or injuries.

Shirin Gupta is a content producer with the Hindustan Times. She covers everything between politics, entertainment and sports at the US desk. Shirin got interested in political journalism during her time as a web editor at her college newspaper NCC News in Syracuse when she first started seeing the effects of national politics in life of her fellow colleagues. Shirin has worked on a wide range of fast-moving and developing stories locally when she was at NCC editing accessible reports for the audience. Her current role requires her to track real-time updates, verify information and present balanced coverage across diverse beats. Covering US politics from an international newsroom perspective has further deepened her understanding of how domestic decisions can have far-reaching global consequences. With a keen interest in international affairs, Shirin continues to build her expertise in geopolitics, policy shifts, and cross-border developments. She aims to learn and evolve her reporting in matters of geopolitics and international issues. Outside the newsroom Shirin writes about books and music for her personal blog. She is an avid consumer of pop culture and reveres literature.Read More