As someone who has been doing yoga for 15 years, I’ve seen my fair share of coffee cups in a studio before class begins. Whether or not to sip a caffeinated beverage prior to your practice is a personal choice, and the effects can vary from one individual to the next. Below, I’ll break down some potential pros and cons of drinking coffee before yoga.
Pros
- Energy Boost
- A moderate amount of caffeine can help you feel more alert and energized as you step onto your mat. This may be especially helpful for morning or midday classes if you’re struggling with low energy.
- Mental Focus
- Coffee can sometimes sharpen concentration, making it easier to stay mentally engaged during class. This can be an asset when you’re working through more challenging poses or sequences.
- Enhanced Performance
- Some practitioners report that a bit of caffeine can improve their stamina or help them maintain intensity during faster-paced styles like Vinyasa or Power Yoga.
Cons
- Increased Heart Rate & Jitters
- Caffeine naturally raises your heart rate and can lead to jitteriness or even mild anxiety. This can work against the calming aspects of yoga, especially during slower, more meditative practices.
- Dehydration Concerns
- Coffee is a mild diuretic, which can lead to more frequent bathroom breaks and overall fluid loss. If you’re practicing a style of yoga where you sweat a lot (like Hot Yoga), it’s crucial to stay hydrated.
- Disrupted Mind-Body Connection
- Yoga emphasizes listening to your body, syncing breath with movement, and finding a sense of inner stillness. Too much caffeine can interfere with the calm, focused state many people are aiming for.
Best Practices if You Choose to Drink Coffee
- Time It Right
- If you plan to drink coffee, do so at least 30 minutes (or up to an hour) before class. This gives your body time to settle and reduces the chance of an upset stomach.
- Stay Hydrated
- Balance out any coffee intake with water or an electrolyte-rich drink, especially if you’re heading to a heated class.
- Know Your Limits
- If you’re sensitive to caffeine, try half a cup or switch to tea, which can offer a milder boost. Monitor how you feel during practice—if you notice signs of anxiety or excessive restlessness, scale back.
- Mindful Moderation
- A single cup is usually fine for most people, but multiple cups might push you into that jittery territory, making it harder to find calm in your practice.
Final Thoughts
Drinking coffee before yoga isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Some individuals genuinely benefit from the quick pick-me-up, while others find it disrupts the very qualities they love about yoga: grounding, balance, and inner peace. Ultimately, your body will tell you whether or not coffee is helping or hindering your practice. As a long-time yoga teacher, my advice is simple: experiment mindfully, stay hydrated, and prioritize the state of calm and focus that helps you get the most out of each class.
Pssst. Have you bought a yoga mat yet?
Set an intention!
In yoga, you set an intention at the beginning of your practice. As a Christian, I like to choose bible verses that can lead my practice- and day- in a positive direction. Here are some of my favorites:
- Psalm 16:9 – “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.“
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Want to save this for later?
I’ll deliver this straight to your inbox, so that you can refer back to this post any time you’d like! 🧘🏻♀️
my Latest flows & posts
Other posts you might like!
getting started
