How to blend the ancient practice of yoga with modern rhythms of nourishment — even if you love snacks
I’m just going to say it: I’m not the kind of yogi who fasts all day, lives on green juice, and sits cross-legged in silent retreat for hours. I’m a mom, a mover, and yes — I eat every three hours. Nearly 15 hours a day, most days. And I feel great.
But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been curious about intermittent fasting. Or wondered how this trendy wellness habit fits into a yoga lifestyle.
So I decided to explore it — both from a yogic lens and a real-world perspective — and share what I’ve learned along the way.
🧘♀️ First, What Is Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a pattern of eating where you alternate between periods of eating and fasting. Common examples:
- 16:8 (16 hours fast, 8-hour eating window)
- 14:10 (more moderate)
- 5:2 (normal eating 5 days a week, very light eating 2 days)
People often turn to IF for goals like:
- Improving digestion
- Regulating insulin
- Supporting metabolism or weight management
- Boosting cellular repair and brain clarity
It’s not a diet — it’s a schedule. And it can look very different depending on your body, goals, and season of life.
🧘♀️ But… Is Intermittent Fasting “Yogic”?
Let’s be honest — fasting has long roots in spiritual practice.
In yogic tradition, fasting (upavasa) was seen as a way to cleanse the body, discipline the senses, and deepen spiritual focus. Ancient yogis fasted to prepare for meditation and pranayama — not to lose weight or biohack their blood sugar.
But yoga is also about:
- Ahimsa (non-harming)
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Svadhyaya (self-study)
So if intermittent fasting harms your hormones, your cycle, or your peace of mind — it may not be the right fit for your yoga.
💬 My Personal Take: I’m a Snacking Yogi
If you’ve been around my blog or flows for a while, you know I like to move with energy and eat in rhythm with my day. For me, that means:
- Eating breakfast
- Fueling every 3–4 hours
- Keeping blood sugar stable so I can care, create, and carry small humans up stairs
So no, I’m not a traditional intermittent faster.
But I still believe we can learn from it — especially when we use yoga to tune into our body’s signals and not just follow trends blindly.
🌿 How Yoga Supports Intermittent Fasting (If You Try It)
If you’re experimenting with fasting — or even just stretching your time between meals in a gentle way — yoga can support the process beautifully:
✅ 1. Calms the nervous system
Gentle flows, pranayama, or meditation can lower cortisol, which often spikes when you’re hungry or stressed.
✅ 2. Improves digestive fire (Agni)
Breathwork and twisting postures can stimulate digestion, reduce bloating, and support elimination — making your fast feel smoother.
✅ 3. Increases self-awareness
Yoga brings you back to your body’s truth. Are you hungry, or bored? Are you tired, or undernourished? Your mat becomes your mirror.
✅ 4. Prevents overtraining
If you’re fasting, you’ll want to avoid burnout or pushing too hard in your workouts. Yoga offers strength and movement without the depletion.
🧘♀️ Best Types of Yoga During Intermittent Fasting
Whether you’re easing into a fasted morning or navigating a lighter day, here’s what I recommend:
🌞 Morning (Fast Window)
- Gentle vinyasa or hatha yoga
- Slow sun salutations
- Pranayama or box breathing
- Pelvic floor and core awareness work
Stick to slower, breath-led movement. Skip the hot power flows if you’re fasting long or feel low energy.
🌅 Evening (Fed or Post-Fast)
- Restorative or yin yoga
- Twists, hip openers, and forward folds
- Legs up the wall to soothe digestion
- Gratitude or prayer practice
💡 Can You Lose Weight by Combining Yoga + Fasting?
Possibly — but that depends on a lot of factors:
- Your hormonal balance
- Your sleep and stress levels
- Your movement habits
- Your body’s history and needs
The real power of yoga + intermittent fasting is that they both teach attunement over obsession.
If you’re skipping meals to punish yourself or doing yoga as a way to earn food, it’s time to pause.
But if you’re using breath, movement, and rhythm to nourish and regulate your body? Now we’re in alignment.
🛑 Who Should Skip Intermittent Fasting?
Please don’t try IF if you’re:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding (🤱 me the majority of the last 6 years)
- Recovering from disordered eating
- Underweight or feeling depleted
- Experiencing adrenal fatigue, low thyroid, or poor sleep
Your yoga practice should make you feel more whole — not less fueled.
✨ Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Choose Between Your Mat and Your Meal
I might not fast. But I still believe in honoring your body’s rhythm.
I believe in balancing curiosity and compassion.
And I believe your yoga practice should support your life — not compete with it.
So whether you’re in a season of trying intermittent fasting, sticking to regular snacks (🙋♀️), or just trying to feel more energized and aligned — yoga can meet you there.
Your breath doesn’t judge your food choices.
And your mat will always welcome you — full, fasted, or somewhere in between.
Thanks For Supporting My Blog & Growing Family!
Want to save this post? I’ll deliver the info straight to your inbox, so that you can refer back any time you’d like! 🧘🏻♀️
my Latest flows & posts
Other posts you might like!
Let’s get healthy
