Everyone has their own recipe for staying fit. Some swear by laps in the pool, others by long cycling hours, brisk morning walks, or grueling gym sessions complete with calorie counts and protein charts.
Then there are the yoga enthusiasts. But while yoga has become a way of life for millions, many still view it and nutrition as two separate tracks—one for flexibility and mindfulness and the other for managing weight and health.
So far so good. But Simran Bhana says that usually people miss the bigger picture.
“One of the most common misconceptions is that yoga and nutrition function as two separate pillars. In reality, they are interconnected and have an impact on each other,” she says.
Yoga and nutrition: An ancient connection
And coming from someone like Simran, the insight carries weight. A certified yoga instructor trained at Kaivalyadhama, one of India’s leading yoga research institutes, she has an in-depth understanding of yoga asanas, breathwork, and pranayama.
Her views closely align with yogic philosophy, which considers food essential to nurturing all five layers of human existence, known as the Pancha Koshas. In this framework, food does far more than sustain the physical body—it is believed to influence the mind, emotions, intellect, life force, and, ultimately, one’s deeper sense of self and well-being.
“Yoga and nutrition are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. Yoga strengthens our bodies and cultivates awareness and mindfulness, helping us make the right choices that support our health.
“At the same time, a nourishing diet helps in weight management and helps us feel our best self – while also affecting the quality of movement and breathwork during our yoga practice.
“What we eat influences our mood, how we feel, breathe, and move,” she says, adding that food plays a much bigger role in overall well-being than many people realize.
Food is not only about weight management. It impacts various aspects of our life.
“When I consume nutritious food, I feel more energized and can move comfortably on the mat. My breath is steady, and I can hold each asana for a longer duration,” she told A Lotus In The Mud. adding that the benefits extend beyond physical performance.
“Wholesome food helps me feel calm and more alert and promotes clarity in thinking. On the other hand, yoga has taught me to be more mindful and conscious—not only of my food habits but also of the decisions I make across the board,” she says.
Beyond asanas: Yoga as a way of life
A health and fitness enthusiast, Simran strongly advocates combining consistent daily movement with a balanced diet. For her, yoga is far more than a physical exercise routine; it is a way of life deeply rooted in classical yogic teachings that place significant emphasis on mindful eating and nourishment.
And for good reason. The connection between yoga and diet is not a modern wellness trend but a principle embedded in ancient Indian wisdom.
According to research, ancient texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, and the Bhagavad Gita all discuss the role of diet in supporting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. While the former two classify food into Mitahara (moderate eating), Pathya Ahara (wholesome food), and Apathya Ahara (unwholesome food), the Bhagavad Gita categorizes food as Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. Together, these texts underscore that food has long been considered an integral part of yoga, not a separate aspect of wellness.
“Yoga is a practice that primarily focuses on a balance of physical and mental wellness,” she says, stressing that it encompasses mental health and food and nutrition as much as movement.
“Yoga is not limited to flexibility or muscle strengthening; rather, it is a holistic practice that impacts our daily thought process, how we fuel our bodies, and how we choose to live,” she says.
The mindfulness cultivated through yoga, she adds, naturally spills over into eating habits.
“When I think of yoga, I think of mindfulness and self-awareness,” she says, noting that these principles influence the way she approaches food and nourishment every day.
As people become more aware of how different foods affect their bodies and minds, they are more likely to make choices that support both their physical and emotional well-being.
Choosing balance over wellness fads
Yoga has become so popular that in 2025, the 11th edition of International Day of Yoga reportedly observed over 1.3 million ‘Yoga Sangam’ events across India, and a historic Guinness World Record was set in Visakhapatnam, where 301,000 individuals performed yoga together.
For Simran, the growing popularity of detoxes, intermittent fasting, and restrictive diets often runs counter to one of yoga’s core principles: balance.
She points out that the word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit term Yuj, meaning “to unite,” “to join,” or “to connect,” reflecting harmony between the body and mind, as well as breath and movement. Viewed through that lens, many modern diet trends can feel like short-term fixes rather than sustainable lifestyle choices.
“Detox juices, cutting carbs, intermittent fasting trends, and restrictive diets are short-term fixes,” says the 27-year-old who is based out in Mumbai.
“In contrast, yoga encourages people to move beyond quick solutions and focus on long-term health while still allowing room for indulgences. Yoga teaches us to prioritize long-term health while still consuming sweet treats or cheat meals in moderation,” she adds.
However, Simran admits some approaches may work for certain individuals and deliver results, but wellness is highly personal. “I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. At the end of the day, the goal is to build sustainable habits and be consistent rather than chase wellness trends.”
Addressing concerns that yoga is becoming a social media trend, Simran views its growing popularity positively. “What can initially start as a trend can grow into a deeper philosophy,” she says, noting that more people now appreciate yoga as “a way of life” that extends beyond asanas to include thought processes, decision-making, and nutrition.
Her understanding of yoga was profoundly shaped by her training at Kaivalyadhama in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Before joining the institute, she associated yoga primarily with “asanas, pranayama, and flexibility.”
The experience, however, helped her see yoga as “a holistic system for living.” “Lasting change comes from applying the principles of yoga beyond the mat,” she says.
As both a yoga instructor and communications professional, Simran strives to make yoga more accessible for modern lifestyles.
Challenging the perception that yoga requires hours of practice or extreme flexibility, she says, “Ideally, I would want everyone to adopt 3 habits on International Yoga Day—movement, breathwork, and consuming quality food!”
By presenting yoga in a practical and relatable way, she hopes to encourage wider participation.
She believes a balanced diet has the greatest impact on overall well-being. After all, “wellness does not always come from big changes; it comes from small habits that lead to lasting transformation.”
Leave a Reply