Is it good for your body, mind and soul to have coffee? If so, how much should you have? At what time should you drink it? When should you avoid? Should you have coffee on a Healing, Stress Retreat or Yoga Teacher Training?
Did you ever wonder, if that daily coffee habit of yours is really good for you or not? As a yoga enthusiast, you probably aim to live a balanced and harmonious life. But does your coffee addiction support that goal or work against it?
Coffee has a complex and controversial history. This bean has fueled dynasties, built and ruined economies, and today remains one of the most valuable traded goods in the world.
While coffee may help pick you up and balance your Kapha dosha, if you're of the Vata or Pitta Dosha, it could lead to some not-so-zen side effects like the jitters, tummy troubles, and sleepless nights.
The yogic perspective considers coffee's hot and stimulating essence. So should you quit coffee before your next yoga retreat, or can you achieve an enlightened balance between your asana practice and your favourite cup in the morning?
Let's take a balanced look at coffee's pros and cons so you can decide what's right for your.
The Origins and History of Coffee
Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where legend says a goat herder first noticed his goats acting lively after eating the red fruit of the coffee shrub. The stimulating effects of coffee were soon shared with monks, and from there spread throughout the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey.
Coffee is the second most valuable traded commodity after oil. Most of us depend on our daily coffee to wake us up and keep us going. Coffee is classified as a hot, light and dry herb in Ayurveda, carrying elements of Air and Fire. This means coffee can help balance Kapha types who tend to be slow, heavy and congested. The stimulating and heating effects of coffee encourage emptying of the stomach, increase bile secretion and stimulate bowel movements - all helpful for Kapha imbalances.
However, for Vata and Pitta types where qualities of heat, dryness and lightness already predominate, coffee can lead to issues like anxiety, irritability, inflammation and disease over time. Long term use is linked to adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, digestive problems, and other chronic conditions.
The caffeine in coffee is actually a natural pesticide the coffee plant uses to paralyse and kill insects that eat its seeds. This same effect is what gives us an energy boost by stimulating our nervous system and adrenaline production.
How much of your mood, thoughts, memory and behaviours are influenced by your daily coffee habit? Studies show the brain can heal from long term coffee use by cutting back or quitting. If you can’t give up your coffee, drink organic coffee, limit to 1 cup a day, and always have it with food - never on an empty stomach. Add a bit of cardamom to neutralise acidity and reduce stimulation of Vata. Other options like chamomile, lavender or ginger tea provide energy without the side effects. Start your day with warm water instead of coffee to flush your system and stimulate digestion.
Coffee in moderation may be fine, but be aware of how this potent herb impacts your unique mind-body type. Make choices that support your overall health and natural energy levels. When you rely less on stimulation and more on self-care, you’ll feel awake and alive in a balanced, sustainable way.
Coffee's Effects on Body and Mind According to Ayurveda
If you've ever wondered why coffee makes you feel so wired or causes anxiety and sleep issues, Ayurveda has some insights. According to this ancient Indian system of medicine, coffee is hot, light and dry, carrying the elements of Fire and Air. For Kapha types, coffee’s stimulating effects can help balance excess heaviness and sluggishness. But for Vata and Pitta types, coffee often does more harm than good.
One cup of coffee activates your body's fight or flight response for up to 3 weeks! This floods your system with stress hormones and makes your brain think danger is imminent. No wonder anxiety and insomnia are so common in our coffee-fueled society. Coffee also depletes your body's vital life force or ‘ojas.’ This vital energy normally gives you sustenance and nourishment, but coffee sends it upward and outward, leaving you depleted.
Coffee is as damaging to your brain as alcohol or cocaine. It narrows blood vessels in the brain, reducing blood flow and cognitive function. Long term, this can even create holes in brain tissue. How much of your mental or emotional issues could actually be due to your daily coffee habit?
If you're going to drink coffee, limit it to one cup a day, choose organic beans, and have it with food, not on an empty stomach. Add a pinch of cardamom to help neutralize acidity and stimulation. Better yet, try an Ayurvedic coffee alternative like chicory root, dandelion root or licorice root tea. They provide energy without the crash and negative health effects.
Your body and mind will thank you for cutting back or quitting coffee. When the brain is no longer flooded with stimulants, it can heal. You'll gain mental clarity, better focus and memory, sounder sleep, and an overall sense of calm. Escape the cycle of craving and depletion. Discover how good you can feel with balanced energy and vitality. Leave coffee behind and embrace a naturally vibrant life!
Coffee Alternatives for Balancing Different Doshas
If you're going to drink coffee, limit it to one cup a day, choose organic beans, and have it with food, not on an empty stomach. Add a pinch of cardamom to help neutralize acidity and stimulation. Better yet, try an Ayurvedic coffee alternative like chicory root, dandelion root or licorice root tea. They provide energy without the crash and negative health effects.
Your body and mind will thank you for cutting back or quitting coffee. When the brain is no longer flooded with stimulants, it can heal. You'll gain mental clarity, better focus and memory, sounder sleep, and an overall sense of calm. Escape the cycle of craving and depletion. Discover how good you can feel with balanced energy and vitality. Leave coffee behind and embrace a naturally vibrant life!
Finding Balance: How Much Coffee Is Too Much?
Finding the right balance of coffee in your life can be tricky. On the one hand, that morning cup of coffee gets you going and helps you feel awake and focused.
So how do you know how much is too much? A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 1-2 cups per day. Any more than that and the caffeine builds up in your system, disrupting your sleep cycle and stress levels. It’s also a good idea to avoid coffee after midday or switch to decaf options in the afternoon. That way the caffeine has time to clear out of your body by bedtime.
If coffee makes you feel tense or irritable, try cutting back. Substitute a cup of coffee for a calming herbal tea, or mix half decaf and half regular coffee. You can also try "coffee alternatives" with less or no caffeine like chicory coffee, mushroom coffee or dandelion coffee.
On a yoga or wellness retreat, you may want to avoid coffee altogether so you can fully experience the benefits. Caffeine, even in small amounts, creates subtle changes in your body and mind that can inhibit relaxation and mindfulness.
The bottom line is that coffee in moderation can absolutely be part of a balanced lifestyle. But be aware of how it impacts your sleep, stress levels and general sense of well-being. Make sure to listen to your body - if coffee makes you feel unwell in any way, reevaluating your relationship to this popular pick-me-up may be in order. With conscious consumption, coffee and inner calm can co-exist.
To get the most out of your yoga practice during teacher training, it’s important to find the right balance with your caffeine intake. Too much coffee can leave you overstimulated and anxious, disrupting your focus and inner calm. Not enough, and you may struggle with fatigue and low energy during long days of asana, meditation, anatomy and all the other important subjects.
Limit Coffee to 1-2 Cups Per Day
Have a cup of coffee in the morning after your breakfast (not before the morning practice) to help you stay awake and feel alert for all the sessions of the day. After that, avoid coffee and switch to water or herbal tea. One cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine, which can last in your system for up to 6 hours. Any more than 2 cups risks interfering with your ability to relax and concentrate.
Stop Drinking Coffee By Noon
To ensure your body and mind are able to unwind in the evenings, cut off coffee by midday at the latest, around 11 am to 12 pm. Even if you have coffee earlier in the day, its effects can persist for hours and disrupt your sleep if consumed too late. Your circadian rhythm and melatonin production are sensitive to the stimulatory effects of caffeine.
Consider Going Caffeine-Free During Training
If you want the full experience of stilling your mind and calming your body during teacher training, consider eliminating coffee and all sources of caffeine. Herbal tea, water and decaf alternatives can hydrate you without the buzz. Your body may experience withdrawal for a few days, but your practice and sleep quality may benefit greatly from the lack of stimulation. When training ends, slowly reintroduce coffee in moderation if desired.
Finding the right balance of coffee for your needs takes experimentation. Listen to your body and make adjustments to optimize your energy, focus and ability to relax during your yoga teacher training. Keeping caffeine low or eliminating it altogether can help deepen your practice and develop greater awareness and insight.
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