Protein is the mighty nutrient that has gained much traction among fitness enthusiasts with the growth of fitness industry. While the gym goers and athletes swear by protein for their fitness needs, protein consumption among Yoga enthusiasts is still a debatable topic. With so many forms of Yoga, some of them being intense, the Yoga practitioners often look at protein to improve their flexibility, muscular strength, and performance. However, there exists a section of Yoga practitioners that pay no heed to protein per se, while some others are very particular to supplement their practice with right amount of protein. When it is about protein in the Yoga world, it is not one-size-fits-all theory.
Protein from Traditional Perspective
Protein was discovered only a few hundred years back as an important nutrient to maintain muscular strength, besides performing other important functions for the body. However, Yoga exists since ages and quite interestingly none of the ancient texts on Yoga or traditional Yoga gurus ever paid any specific importance to protein in a Yoga practice. This is also possibly because in classical Hatha yoga, the focus has never been to strain the body and overuse the muscles to attain the perfect asanas, but to attain spiritual awareness using asanas as a tool to support the body for higher practices. Thus, the focus on diet in classical Hatha Yoga has always been on whole & natural foods and a balanced diet.
Even in the Sivananda Yoga & Vedanta Ashrams, that highly propagates Hatha Yoga, the diet is a balanced combination of simple carbohydrates and proteins in the form of lentils consumed every single day in main meals along with cooked vegetables and fruits. Beyond that, there is no specific protein inclusion considered in diet in these ancient Yoga gurukuls. However, in some intense Yoga forms, such as Vinyasa flow where the muscles are used frequently, the need for supporting body with proteins may be higher.
Also, as Yoga travelled to the East with some Yoga gurus in the late 19th century, different Yoga forms emerged, and Yoga started to get visibility more as an exercise than a spiritual practice. This is also when the focus on nutrition started to catch interest among Yoga enthusiasts.
However, today Yoga has taken many forms and can be intense depending on the form one chooses to practice. Also, since our diet often lacks essential nutrients, it is recommended to have optimal amount protein even in a Yoga practice to not just support the performance but also to maintain muscular strength for deepening the practice.
Why Incorporate Protein in Your Yoga Practice?
Protein performs varied fundamental functions in the body including maintain muscle mass, strengthening immune function, managing weight, and supporting body’s energy levels. It is important to restore faster recovery from wear and tear caused by intense Yoga practice that leads to muscle breakdown. Also, since in Yoga the Yogis are using their own body weight than lifting external weights, protein helps restore the energy consumed during the practice.
Benefits of Protein in a Yoga Practice
- Helps develop and restore muscular strength
- Increases muscle mass
- Supports body for quicker healing
- Provides sustained energy and combats fatigue
- Supports immune system for better functioning
- Increases the satiety level and helps control cravings
- Aids quick healing from the injuries
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