The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of “COFFEE” is- a sudden burst of energy!!!
One may feel that caffeine makes you feel wide awake, it increases your reaction time and you feel more focused. When your biomechanical system is alert and active you are capable of producing greater force output through the nervous system and more specifically- powerfully create muscular contractions.
Extension to this, caffeine can make you noticeably stronger and faster by enhancing your physical performance. In addition, caffeine is a diuretic, which I think is one of the hidden reasons why Ashtanga yoga practitioners tend to like it, as it makes the body release water that it might be holding onto, so you might feel light and agile during your practice. You feel lighter, more energetic, clear-headed and more focused. Seems kind of perfect for Ashtanga yoga right?
But I believe that the prana (life-giving force) and ability to thrive in your practice is in the ABSENCE of exogenous and externally sourced stimulants. We all know that the caffeine in coffee is a neurostimulant. If you put nervous stimulants into your system, you are abusing your nervous system. Before it even hits your stomach, there is a sudden burst of energy- which is released haphazardly. It disturbs the basic fabric of how the energy is stored in the system. The fundamental staying power of humans will go, if one abuses the nervous system.
Mechanism of action of Caffeine-
Adenosine is a chemical found in human cells. It has numerous functions related to different organs in the body. In the brain, it works as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This means adenosine can act as a central nervous system depressant. In normal conditions, it promotes sleep and suppresses arousal. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine. For adenosine to work, it needs to bind to its receptor so that it floats around your system. If caffeine is put into the system, it will swim around and slot into the adenosine receptor in place of the adenosine molecule and the CNS will run wild or more accurately inhabited temporarily.
Now the problem here is the fact that continuously overriding the natural function of the system, might then leave us feeling fatigued or overworked! The body is highly adaptable and thus we will need more and more caffeine to get the same effect over some time. It thus taxes the nervous system.
Below are some points that you might want to consider before incorporating coffee into your daily routine.
1) Caffeine is a diuretic, it thus, dehydrates the body. When practising yoga or any other physical activity, we need to keep our bodies as hydrated as possible.
2) It is highly stimulant, its nature is “Rajasic”. Caffeine interferes with the inner quietness required for meditation. Whilst caffeine can make us feel temporarily energized, it can also make us jittery and anxious thus having a huge impact on our balance. It causes irritability and aggressiveness.
3) One of the main reasons yogis avoid caffeine is its immediate effect on flexibility. It has an inflammatory effect on the body, which causes stiffness and thus, impacts the ease of movement.
4) It increases catecholamines, the stress hormones. The stress response elicits cortisol.
5) Highly addictive!!!
Cutting out caffeine is a great way to detoxify the body.
Alternative Stimulants: MUSIC- which elicits emotional response is a powerful way to stimulate the nervous system. It can help to set the right frame of mind.