Nutrition for the Practicing Yogi. Yogic Diet and Conscious Nutrition in the Training of Yoga Instructors
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
kurspoyoge.com
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website:
yogaalliance.com.ua
Nutrition in yoga is not a diet in the conventional sense, nor a system of restrictions aimed at achieving an external result. In the classical yogic tradition, food is regarded as the foundation of practice, directly influencing the state of the body, breath, nervous system, mind, and the quality of consciousness.
For future yoga instructors, understanding the principles of nutrition is an essential part of professional training, as the instructor bears responsibility not only for the physical practice of the student but also for shaping a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition as the Foundation of Yogic Practice
The yogic tradition states: we are what we eat.
Consumed food does not disappear without a trace—it transforms and sequentially forms all the structures of the human body. In the classical Ayurvedic model, food is transformed into seven bodily tissues (dhatus):
1.Plasma
2.Blood
3.Muscle tissue
4.Adipose (fat) tissue
5.Bone tissue
6.Bone marrow
7.Reproductive tissue (sperm / ova)
Each preceding tissue nourishes the next. When the quality of nutrition is low, the entire chain of tissue formation is disrupted, which affects energy levels, the body’s ability to recover, and the stability of the nervous system. As a result, deeper yogic practice becomes difficult or impossible.
The Importance of Nutrition in Yoga Instructor Training
For beginners, nutritional imbalances may be compensated by reduced load or rest. For yoga instructors, such compromises are unacceptable.
A professional yoga teacher regularly practices asanas, pranayama, and cleansing techniques while maintaining clarity of mind and stability of attention. Heavy, excessive, or unsuitable food:
•makes breathing practices more difficult;
•interferes with the correct performance of kriyas involving uddiyana bandha and agnisara kriya;
•increases inertia and drowsiness;
•reduces sensitivity to internal processes.
Therefore, in professional yoga instructor training, nutrition is considered a systemic component of education alongside asana technique.
The Principle of Moderation and Awareness
Classical yoga does not impose rigid dietary dogmas. Awareness and common sense form the foundation.
It is recommended to:
•consume fresh, clean, and easily digestible food;
•avoid overeating;
•maintain a regular eating schedule.
When the body is excessively burdened with toxins, intensive cleansing processes may be triggered during practice. Without sufficient preparation and understanding of the mechanisms involved, such reactions may be unsafe. For this reason, a future yoga instructor must be able to observe bodily responses and adjust nutrition according to the stage of practice and the level of physical load.
Classification of Food in Yoga: The Three Gunas of Nature
According to yogic philosophy, all food belongs to one of the three gunas of nature.
Sattva
Fresh vegetables and fruits, greens, nuts, whole grains, and legumes, as well as natural foods with minimal processing. Sattvic food purifies the body, stabilizes the nervous system, and supports concentration.
Rajas
Heavily processed, excessively spicy, or stimulating food, consumed primarily for taste rather than nourishment. Rajasic food increases excitation, restlessness, and inner tension.
Tamas
Meat, canned foods, pickled and frozen products, fast food, and food prepared by deep frying. Tamasic food burdens both body and mind, reduces sensitivity, and hinders deep practice.
In the yogic tradition, predominantly sattvic nutrition is recommended.
The Five Food Groups in the Yogic System
The classical approach предполагает the presence of all five food groups in a single meal:
1.Fruits, berries, and nuts growing on trees and shrubs
2.Sprouted legumes, leafy greens, salads, spinach, wild greens
3.Processed legumes, grains, rice, corn, and natural fermented dairy products
4.Vegetables and fruits growing on the surface of the ground
5.Root vegetables: beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke
A balanced presence of all five groups ensures stable energy levels and full support for yogic practice.
Conscious Nutrition as an Element of the Yogic Path
Yoga views the human being as an integrated, holistic system. Conscious nutrition cultivates discipline, respect for the body, and enhances the quality of practice.
Within yoga instructor training programs, nutrition is studied in connection with:
•asana practice;
•pranayama;
•cleansing techniques;
•psycho-emotional state.
This approach enables future teachers to deeply understand the causes and effects of changes occurring in the body and mind.
Individual Sessions and a Personalized Approach
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance School offers individual classes in classical Hatha Yoga, including cleansing techniques, breathing practices, joint warm-ups, asanas, deep relaxation, and personalized recommendations.
The individual format allows for consideration of physiological characteristics, adjustment of nutritional routines, and faster achievement of sustainable results. Ninety minutes of individual work with an instructor provide significantly higher effectiveness compared to group classes.
Results of Regular Practice and Proper Nutrition
With systematic practice and a conscious lifestyle, the following results are observed:
•increased energy levels;
•improved breathing and digestion;
•normalization of body weight;
•growth in physical strength and flexibility;
•stability of the nervous system and clarity of thinking.
Yoga develops inner discipline, confidence, and the ability to maintain harmony in everyday life.
Yoga Instructor Training
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance School invites you to yoga instructor training courses, individual sessions, and an introductory class in classical Hatha Yoga.
Yoga begins with fundamental elements—breath, nutrition, and awareness. These form the basis of the professional path of a yoga instructor.
Yoga Instructor Training Courses Are Designed For:
•yoga practitioners who wish to become teachers;
•instructors seeking to improve their qualifications;
•anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of yoga and human energetic systems.
Training is conducted in the following formats:
•online and offline;
•with a step-by-step training system;
•with official certification.
Enroll in Yoga Instructor Training
If you want to:
•gain a deep understanding of yoga;
•master energetic anatomy and the chakra system;
•become a professional yoga instructor;
yoga instructor training courses will become the foundation of your professional and personal growth.
Enroll in the program and begin your path to a new profession today.
“Yoga. The Golden Standard” Course
The “Yoga. The Golden Standard” course is a systematic professional training program for yoga instructors based on classical standards.
From the very first classes, you will experience qualitative changes in your practice and receive a solid foundation of knowledge that will support many years of personal development and teaching.
Professional Standards for Instructor Training
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization responsible for establishing and maintaining yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community;
•developing and approving qualification requirements;
•official certification of yoga instructors;
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Teachers.
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization that establishes and maintains yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community,
•developing and approving qualification requirements,
•official certification of yoga instructors,
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Yoga Teachers.
Training Format and Examination
Within online yoga instructor training courses, students of the Yoga Alliance School undergo mandatory practical and theoretical assessment.
Passing Surya Namaskar is part of the examination process.
A video of the exam, conducted within online courses, is available via the link — click to watch.
You can watch a full video overview of the online course by the Head of the Yoga Alliance, Vladimir Bondarenko, on our YouTube channel by following the link.
Training Locations and Tuition Fees
Branches of the Yoga Alliance School have resumed operations in the following cities:
• Kyiv
• Kharkiv
• Dnipro
• Odesa
• Lviv
• Klaipėda (Lithuania)
• Bansko (Bulgaria)
• Athens (Greece)
• Prague (Czech Republic)
• Torrevieja (Spain)
• Vienna (Austria)
• Cascais (Portugal)
These branches offer continuously running offline yoga instructor training courses led by senior instructors of the Alliance.
Tuition fees:
•online course — 15,500 UAH
•offline course — 17,500 UAH
Since August 2022, instructors who successfully pass examinations with distinction receive the right to train future yoga instructors on behalf of the Yoga Alliance and conduct teacher training courses jointly with the Organization.
Such instructors receive the status of Senior Instructor of the Yoga Alliance and earn 50% of the course fee for each student.
For full details, contact us via Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp:
+380984777777
Training Results
After completing the one-month course and successfully passing the exams, you will:
•receive two international Yoga Alliance certificates registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine;
•obtain the right to teach yoga in more than 100 countries worldwide;
•master a well-structured class format including kriyas, pranayama, and meditation;
•receive lifetime access to video lessons, an application for learning posture names, and 12 balanced printed lesson plans for the first year of teaching;
•receive the “Gold Standard” methodological guide — a detailed manual on asanas, chakras, mudras, bandhas, and key techniques of classical yoga.
Additional Materials
Contacts and Registration
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website:
Оставить комментарий