Eat mindfully and feel good at practice – have your best practice ever!
What to eat before class…
Eat mindfully by focusing on snacks that are easy to digest and help you stay loose during practice. If you don’t already know, learn how you feel after pre-practice meals by listening to your body during practice. After a few trials you’ll know how to eat right to stay energized yet limber and motivated at the same time! 
Avocado toast is described as the perfect pre-practice food by Trini Yogini, of Yin-Yang Yoga Studio in New York. “It leaves me energized and not full, which is the perfect feeling in my mind! Oh, and in my stomach,” she added, laughing!
Melissa Sharp from Bending Tree Yoga Studio in Calistoga California declared fruit to be her favorite pre-practice meal. “One banana and one orange!” declares Melissa. “Since I do a vigorous Ashtanga session I need to get good energy but little bulk. Otherwise I’ll experience discomfort during class. I also enjoy a soothing green tea with just a little honey. That plus the fruit is actually a ritual for me.”
It’s important also to eat at least two hours prior to practice. Each of our Yoginis agreed that this is a good practice. Two hours is just the right amount of time for most to feel ready to go, especially those whose practice includes vigorous flow.
What to eat after class…
Eat mindfully after class – this is essential. “I’ve heard a lot of other yoginis say this! I experience it myself so speak from firsthand experience. Resist the temptation to eat a large meal after practice. Instead plan to eat a couple of smaller meals over the course of the rest of the day,” says Sarah Powas, from True North Yoga Studio and Spa in Los Angeles, California. ‘Your body does much better. You enjoy better energy and enjoy your food more as well. A tossed green salad with garbanzo beans and a piquant vinaigrette dressing is my go to meal after after my practice,” continues Sarah.
Becoming sleepy following a sizable meal after a vigorous session is your body’s way of telling you it is dealing with too much nutrition at once. Instead find a balance where you are satisfied and your mind stays active. 
“When I finish a vigorous session I go for grains and veges, says Angel Harrison, of East Meets West Yoga Studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Angel went on, “I love the way it satisfies me, and yet is still light overall. I head off to teach for several hours following this meal so I am still moving a lot, and adjusting people so I need focus, sharpness and acute awareness of all my practitioners and their needs.” Check out the Yoga Journal’s 16 Mindful Eating Tips for more helpful information.
Yoga should energize your mind and body, and not make us feel depleted. Food should give us the nutrition we need to leverage that high-energy mind-body, so getting the combination of food and movement to be in sync, where each is supporting the other, that is crucial to succeed at and so it is a worthwhile goal to be mindful of!
What do you eat before and after your practice? Let us know what your practice is and how you prepare yourself nutritionally to have your best practice ever!
For more great reading on this topic… go here Eating Right!