Tea and yoga have both been cherished for their ability to promote well-being and balance. But when it comes to timing, should you enjoy a cup of tea before or after your yoga session? To help you find the answer, we’ve gathered advice from yoga and health experts on the benefits of drinking tea and its role in supporting your yoga practice.
Let’s explore their insights on how tea can enhance your yoga experience, whether consumed before to energize or after to relax and recover.
Expert Insights on Drinking Tea Benefits and Yoga
1. Yogi Anand: Energizing the Body and Mind
Sri Yogi Anand, founder of Adwait Yoga School, is a revered master of Yoga, Meditation, and Healing Systems. With decades of experience, his teachings span a wide range of practices, including Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Known for his holistic approach, Yogi Anand has guided countless students on their spiritual journeys, incorporating ancient wisdom with modern healing techniques such as Reiki, Pranic Healing, and Ayurveda. To Know more about him, Visit: Adwait Yoga
Yogi Anand Advice’s on Drinking Tea Benefits
The relationship between tea and yoga has long been a subject of interest, not just because of the global popularity of both practices, but because they share some common underlying principles: balance, mindfulness, and holistic well-being. Tea, especially when prepared with natural, healthy ingredients, offers many benefits that can complement yoga practice. I am happy to share my insights on the subject, drawing from the traditional principles of yoga, Ayurveda, and holistic health.
1. Understanding the Connection Between Tea and Yoga
Before addressing whether tea is better consumed before or after yoga, it is important to understand the connection between yoga and tea from a holistic perspective. Yoga is a practice that harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit through a combination of asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation. It seeks to align the practitioner with their inner self and the larger cosmos. Tea, on the other hand, has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy to calm the mind, soothe the body, and support digestion, among other health benefits. The act of brewing and drinking tea itself can be a form of mindfulness, as it requires presence and focus on the process.
In traditional Indian culture, tea has been a vital part of Ayurvedic practices and has been used for its medicinal properties. Ayurvedic teas, such as those made with herbs like tulsi, ginger, or turmeric, are particularly beneficial when incorporated into a holistic lifestyle, which includes yoga. These teas are believed to help balance the doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and can aid in creating the internal environment needed for a deep and effective yoga practice.
2. Benefits of Drinking Tea Before Yoga
A. Energizing the Body and Mind
Certain teas, especially those containing mild stimulants like caffeine from green or black tea, can serve as a natural energy booster before yoga. However, the energy provided by tea is different from that provided by synthetic stimulants or sugary drinks. Tea offers a more sustained and gentle form of energy, which can help invigorate the body without causing restlessness or jitters. For instance, green tea is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation while increasing focus. This creates an ideal state for yoga practice—energized yet calm and focused.
For morning yoga practitioners, having a cup of light tea (such as green tea, or herbal teas like ginger, or lemon tea) before the session can awaken the body and mind, helping to transition from sleep to wakefulness in a way that promotes balance. Drinking tea before yoga can also help kick-start metabolism, making it easier to burn fat and maintain energy levels during a more intense yoga session.
B. Supporting Digestive Health
Many yoga practitioners follow the traditional advice to practice on an empty stomach or after a very light snack, as heavy meals can hinder the fluidity of movement and make certain asanas uncomfortable. Herbal teas such as ginger or fennel can gently stimulate the digestive system, reducing bloating or indigestion before yoga practice. This is especially useful for those practicing yoga early in the morning, as the digestive fire may still be weak from the overnight fast. Sipping a small amount of warm herbal tea before yoga can provide warmth and comfort to the stomach, promoting better digestive function during and after practice.
C. Enhancing Pranayama and Meditation
For practitioners who focus heavily on pranayama (breathwork) and meditation during their yoga routine, certain types of tea, particularly herbal and caffeine-free varieties, can help enhance the breath and calm the mind. Teas such as chamomile, tulsi, or ashwagandha are known for their soothing properties. Consuming these before a yoga session can deepen the relaxation experience, making it easier to focus on pranayama techniques, such as Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) or Ujjayi breath, which are integral to a well-rounded yoga practice. The calming effect of these teas can also support a more profound meditative state, allowing for deeper introspection and connection with the self.
3. The Benefits of Drinking Tea After Yoga
A. Rehydrating the Body
After a yoga session, especially one that involves intense asanas or dynamic flow practices such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga, it is essential to rehydrate the body. While water is the primary means of rehydration, certain teas can serve as an excellent post-yoga drink. Herbal teas or teas infused with cooling ingredients like mint, rose petals, or lemongrass can help replenish lost fluids, especially when consumed at a warm temperature that doesn’t shock the system.
Drinking tea after yoga can also aid in restoring electrolyte balance. For instance, teas containing a pinch of Himalayan salt or potassium-rich ingredients (such as hibiscus or coconut water-based teas) can help restore the body’s mineral levels, particularly after a sweaty or hot yoga session. Proper hydration is crucial to help the muscles recover, reduce stiffness, and maintain energy levels throughout the rest of the day.
B. Supporting Muscle Recovery and Reducing Inflammation
Many teas are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. For example, turmeric tea or teas with ginger, cinnamon, and other warming spices can aid in reducing post-exercise inflammation. These teas can be particularly beneficial after yoga sessions that involve deep stretches or strength-building poses. Inflammation is a natural response to physical exertion, and while yoga generally promotes gentle movement, some postures can still cause micro-tears in muscle fibers. Drinking anti-inflammatory tea post-practice can speed up recovery and reduce muscle soreness.
Additionally, teas with adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, ginseng, or licorice root can help combat post-exercise fatigue and promote recovery by modulating the body’s stress response. This is particularly important for those practicing yoga in the evening after a long day, as these herbs can help relax the nervous system and prepare the body for rest.
C. Enhancing the Meditative Afterglow
Yoga doesn’t end when the physical practice is over; in fact, the asanas are meant to prepare the body for deeper states of meditation and inner stillness. After a yoga session, many practitioners experience what is commonly referred to as the “yoga afterglow”—a state of mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical lightness. Drinking a soothing cup of tea can enhance this feeling of calm and centeredness, particularly teas that encourage relaxation, such as lavender, chamomile, or rose.
Sipping tea mindfully after a yoga session can be part of the process of grounding oneself back into daily life while still preserving the inner stillness cultivated during the practice. It can serve as a ritual to signal the transition from the mat back to the outside world, while still carrying the benefits of yoga into everyday activities.
4. The Ideal Time for Drinking Tea: Before or After Yoga?
The answer to whether it is more beneficial to drink tea before or after yoga ultimately depends on the type of yoga practice, the individual’s constitution (as per Ayurvedic doshas), and the specific goals of the practitioner.
- For Energizing and Dynamic Yoga Sessions: If the yoga session involves vigorous movement, such as in Vinyasa, Power Yoga, or Ashtanga, drinking tea before the session can provide the energy boost needed for sustained performance. Green tea, black tea, or yerba mate can be great choices for a pre-yoga drink, providing gentle stimulation without causing the spikes and crashes associated with coffee or sugary beverages.
- For Meditative or Restorative Yoga Sessions: For more meditative practices, such as Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga, or Kundalini Yoga, it may be more beneficial to consume tea after the session. These styles emphasize inner stillness, gentle movement, and breath awareness, and consuming tea before could disrupt the subtle energy flow. Drinking tea after the session, particularly calming herbal teas, can help deepen the post-yoga relaxation.
- For Ayurvedic Considerations: From an Ayurvedic perspective, individuals with different dosha constitutions may benefit from different timings. For example, Vata types, who tend to be more anxious or restless, may benefit from drinking tea both before and after yoga to promote groundedness and calm. Pitta types, who may tend toward intensity and heat, might benefit from drinking cooling tea after yoga to calm the nervous system. Kapha types, who may experience sluggishness, could benefit from a stimulating tea before yoga to enhance alertness.
The timing of tea consumption in relation to yoga practice can be tailored based on the individual’s needs, the type of tea, and the style of yoga being practiced. Whether consumed before or after, tea serves as a complementary element to yoga, promoting balance, mindfulness, and overall well-being. Pre-yoga tea can energize the body and mind, while post-yoga tea aids in recovery and enhances relaxation.
It has been a pleasure sharing these insights with Maharani Chai, and I trust that these reflections will be valuable for readers.
2. Divi Goyal: The Timing of Tea Depends on Your Goals
Divi Goyal is a seasoned healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in the healthcare industry. Her expertise spans across various domains, including hospital operations, facility management, human resources, and total quality management. With a focus on both medical and non-medical units, Divi has a deep understanding of health systems and has been actively involved in training, development, and project management, contributing to the overall enhancement of healthcare services. To know more about her visit: Always Live Yoga
Divi Goyal Advice’s on Drinking Tea Benefits
The ideal timing for drinking tea in relation to yoga depends on your personal preferences and goals.
If you’re looking for a pre-workout boost, green tea is a great option. It contains caffeine, which can improve alertness and focus. Additionally, green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce muscle damage.
For post-workout recovery, a calming tea like chamomile or lavender can help you relax and de-stress. These teas contain compounds that can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Ultimately, the best time to drink tea is when it feels right for you. Experiment with different types of tea and timing to find what works best for your individual needs.
3. Lisa Faremouth Weber : Hydration and Recovery Post-Yoga
Lisa Faremouth Weber, also known as Sat Inder Kaur, is an Advanced Yoga Therapist and Intuitive Healer with an E-RYT 500 certification and an M.A. in Yoga Therapy. As a transformation coach and mother, Lisa uses a trauma-informed approach to help individuals heal from mental and physical illness, deepen their yoga practice, and connect with their higher selves. Her work empowers people to unlock their intuition and experience profound personal growth. To know more about her, visit: Heaven Meets Earth
Lisa Faremouth Weber Advice on Drinking Tea Benefits
I genuinely care about seeing my yoga students thrive and that is why I love sharing my personal wellness and nutrition practices with them. After my yoga class, I make time for and encourage my students to linger and enjoy a cup of herbal tea with me for the many benefits including relaxation, hydration, improved recovery and pain relief, improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and improved immune function. Being well hydrated is vital to health and well-being, allows increased oxygen supply to your organs and nervous system, and promotes detoxification. Research shows that up to 60 percent of the human body is water, the brain and heart are composed of over 70 percent water, and even our bones are watery. Working out which includes yoga practice causes us to sweat, therefor hydrating after a yoga practice with a cup of herbal tea is important for healthy and well-being.
I share the five pillars of health which I discovered through over 30 years of personal experience and education in the mind/body space. The five pillars of health are rest, hydration, nutrition, movement, and personal choice. Engaging in a regular yoga practice inspires people to make better lifestyle choices because you become like those you associate with. Spending time with other people who eat and drink healthy and engage in consistent mind/body exercise, meditation, and mindful movement will influence greater self-love and self-care. The remedy is community and we all rise together.
At my yoga studio in Evanston, we offer complimentary tea for our students to enjoy after their yoga class. We also sell herbal tea in our boutique so that our students can continue and maintain healthy nutrition daily at home. I believe in living your yoga and practicing yoga off the mat too.
4. Ruth Delahunty: Yoga on an Empty Stomach, Tea for Recovery
Ruth Delahunty is a highly experienced RYT800hr Yoga Alliance certified teacher, Yoga Medicine® Therapeutic Specialist, and teacher trainer based in Dublin, Ireland. She offers weekly classes, workshops, and private sessions designed to support the changing physical and mental needs of her students. Ruth specializes in therapeutic yoga for injury recovery and prevention, and her unique 108 Asana sequencing cards empower practitioners to personalize their practice for optimal health and wellness. To know more about her, visit: Yogaru
Ruth Delahunty Advice on Drinking Tea Benefits
The general advice when practising yoga is to practise on an empty stomach. In my opinion this advice came from two main reasons. On a practical level it is more comfortable to do exercises which often have poses with compression to the digestive system (twists, forward bends & backbends) with an empty stomach. On a more physiological level we are working with all the systems of the body, including the digestive system, when we practice. It is preferable that the systems are not busy digesting food or fluids and able to receive the benefits of the yoga poses. However it is fantastic to take plenty of fluids in directly after a practice. In our practice we create metabolic reactions which heat the body. Fluids and indeed your tea, will rehydrate the systems and flush out the systems.
Why Choose Maharani Chai’s Green Tea for Your Yoga Practice?
At Maharani Chai, we understand the importance of high-quality tea for both body and mind. Our Green Tea is crafted with care, combining premium ingredients to support your yoga journey. Whether you prefer tea before your practice to boost energy and focus, or after for recovery and relaxation, our green tea offers the perfect balance.
Our green tea is packed with antioxidants and natural compounds that can help:
- Boost metabolism for enhanced energy.
- Improve digestion for better overall well-being.
- Enhance focus and mindfulness, making it ideal for yoga and meditation sessions.
- Aid in muscle recovery after your yoga practice, thanks to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Experience the full benefits of yoga by complementing your practice with our green tea. Take the next step towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.Shop Now and elevate your yoga routine with Maharani Chai’s Green Tea.
Maharani Green Tea – Natural 25 Tea Bags
Conclusion: Tea and Yoga—A Perfect Pair
Whether you choose to drink tea before or after your yoga session, the key is to listen to your body and align your choices with your personal wellness goals. Tea, especially green tea, can play a significant role in enhancing your yoga practice, and promoting mindfulness, energy, and recovery. With its rich history and proven health benefits, it’s the perfect complement to your holistic lifestyle.
Share Your Experience with Us!
We’d love to hear from you! Have you tried incorporating tea into your yoga routine? Do you have a favorite tea you enjoy before or after yoga? Share your thoughts, personal experiences, or tips in the comments below!
If you’ve tried our Maharani Chai Green Tea, let us and others know how it enhanced your practice. Your feedback and reviews help our community make informed choices, and we always appreciate hearing your stories.
Additionally, we are working on collecting more advice from experts in the field, so stay tuned for more insightful information!