Yoga is more than a physical practice—it’s a journey of mind, body, and spirit, weaving breath, movement, and mindfulness into moments of profound connection. Whether you’re flowing through a vigorous vinyasa, holding a restorative pose, or meditating in stillness, yoga invites you to be present.
At Ono Tea, we believe tea is the perfect companion for this journey, offering calming, grounding blends that enhance focus, relaxation, and intention. In this guide, we explore how tea can elevate your yoga practice, highlight blends tailored to different moments of your routine, and share rituals to make tea a sacred part of your practice.
Why Tea and Yoga Are a Natural Pair
Tea and yoga share a deep-rooted history, both steeped in ancient traditions that honor mindfulness and balance. From Zen monks sipping matcha before meditation to Ayurvedic practitioners brewing herbal blends for wellness, tea has long supported spiritual and physical practices. For yoga practitioners, tea offers unique benefits:
- Mindful Preparation: Brewing tea is a meditative act, setting the stage for a focused, intentional yoga session.
- Calm Energy: Tea’s gentle caffeine and calming compounds, like L-theanine, foster alertness without overstimulation, ideal for dynamic flows or meditative practices.
- Emotional Balance: Herbal teas with soothing herbs reduce stress and enhance emotional grounding, deepening your connection to the practice.
- Physical Support: Tea’s antioxidants and hydrating properties aid muscle recovery, digestion, and overall wellness, complementing yoga’s holistic benefits.
Tea isn’t just a beverage—it’s a ritual that mirrors yoga’s emphasis on presence, intention, and harmony. Let’s explore the perfect tea blends to enhance every stage of your yoga practice, from pre-flow preparation to post-practice reflection.
Calming Tea Blends for Yoga Practitioners
At Ono Tea, our blends are crafted with intention, using premium leaves, herbs, and botanicals to support your yoga journey. Below, we’ve curated five teas to complement key moments of your practice—pre-yoga centering, dynamic flows, restorative sessions, meditation, and post-practice recovery. Each blend is paired with a ritual to weave tea into your yoga routine.
1. Green Tea: Centering for Pre-Yoga Preparation
Blend: Matcha Serenity
Notes: Ceremonial-grade matcha, lemongrass, hint of mint
Perfect for: Setting intentions before practice
Starting your yoga session with clarity and focus sets the tone for a meaningful practice. Our Matcha Serenity blends vibrant, ceremonial-grade matcha with refreshing lemongrass and cooling mint, delivering a bright, uplifting cup that awakens the mind and body. Matcha’s high L-theanine content promotes calm alertness, ideal for centering before stepping onto the mat.
Yoga Ritual:
Before your practice, whisk Matcha Serenity in a bowl using a bamboo chasen, focusing on the rhythmic motion as a meditation. As it froths, set an intention for your session (e.g., “I will move with grace and presence”). Sip slowly while unrolling your mat or journaling your intention. Keep a diluted matcha in a thermos for sips during breaks to maintain focus.
Why It Works:
Matcha’s balanced caffeine and L-theanine enhance mental clarity, with studies showing improved attention—perfect for aligning mind and body. Lemongrass uplifts the spirit, while mint cools and refreshes, preparing you for a dynamic or gentle flow.
2. Black Tea: Energy for Dynamic Flows
Blend: Assam Prana
Notes: Robust Assam, cardamom, ginger
Perfect for: Vinyasa or power yoga
Dynamic yoga flows like vinyasa or power yoga demand stamina and focus to move with breath and strength. Our Assam Prana combines malty Assam with warming cardamom and spicy ginger, offering a bold, invigorating cup that fuels your practice. Its caffeine provides sustained energy, keeping you grounded through challenging sequences.
Yoga Ritual:
Brew Assam Prana in a thermos before a vigorous flow. Sip during a brief pause after your warm-up, inhaling the tea’s spicy aroma to energize your breath. Visualize your prana (life force) flowing freely as you sip. Keep the thermos nearby for sips during transitions, like moving from Warrior II to Triangle Pose, to maintain momentum.
Why It Works:
Assam’s high caffeine content boosts endurance, while L-theanine ensures steady focus for precise movements. Cardamom and ginger aid digestion and circulation, supporting muscle warmth and flexibility during active flows.
3. Oolong Tea: Balance for Mindful Movement
Blend: Oolong Om
Notes: Floral oolong, jasmine, peach essence
Perfect for: Hatha or slow flow yoga
Hatha or slow flow yoga emphasizes mindful movement and breath, requiring balance and presence. Our Oolong Om features a lightly oxidized oolong with fragrant jasmine and subtle peach essence, delivering a nuanced, floral cup that fosters calm focus. Its moderate caffeine supports sustained awareness without overstimulation.
Yoga Ritual:
Steep Oolong Om in a gaiwan or teapot for a refined ritual. Sip before beginning your practice, focusing on the tea’s evolving flavors as you center your breath. During your flow, pause in a seated pose like Sukhasana to sip, using the tea’s warmth to deepen your mindfulness. Multiple infusions extend the ritual through longer sessions.
Why It Works:
Oolong’s balanced caffeine sustains focus for deliberate movements, while its complex flavors mirror the layered awareness of hatha yoga. Jasmine’s calming aroma reduces stress, and peach adds a gentle sweetness, enhancing emotional balance.
4. Herbal Tea: Serenity for Restorative Yoga and Meditation
Blend: Chamomile Lotus
Notes: Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm
Perfect for: Restorative yoga or meditation
Restorative yoga and meditation invite deep relaxation and introspection, releasing tension and fostering peace. Our Chamomile Lotus blends soothing chamomile with calming lavender and lemon balm, offering a caffeine-free, floral cup that promotes serenity. This tea is ideal for grounding during long-held poses or silent meditation.
Yoga Ritual:
Brew Chamomile Lotus in a teapot and pour into a delicate cup. Sip before your restorative practice or meditation, sitting in a quiet space with soft lighting. Focus on the tea’s warmth as you settle into a supported pose like Supta Baddha Konasana or begin your meditation. Sip during pauses to maintain a calm, centered state.
Why It Works:
Chamomile and lavender lower cortisol, with studies showing reduced anxiety, perfect for deep relaxation. Lemon balm supports emotional balance, enhancing the introspective quality of restorative practices. The caffeine-free profile ensures tranquility without drowsiness.
5. Rooibos Tea: Recovery for Post-Practice Reflection
Blend: Rooibos Renewal
Notes: Red rooibos, vanilla bean, rosehip
Perfect for: Post-practice integration and recovery
After your practice, reflecting and recovering help integrate the benefits of yoga into your day. Our Rooibos Renewal blends antioxidant-rich rooibos with creamy vanilla and tart rosehip, delivering a caffeine-free, nurturing cup that soothes muscles and restores balance. This tea is perfect for savoring post-practice calm.
Yoga Ritual:
After Savasana, brew Rooibos Renewal in a teapot and pour into a favorite mug. Sit in a cozy corner, sip slowly, and journal about your practice—how your body feels, what emotions arose, or your intention moving forward. Pair with a gentle stretch or gratitude practice to complete the ritual.
Why It Works:
Rooibos’s antioxidants reduce inflammation, aiding muscle recovery after physical practice. Rosehip’s vitamin C boosts immunity, supporting overall wellness. Vanilla’s comforting sweetness fosters relaxation, making it easier to carry yoga’s calm into your day.
Crafting a Tea Ritual for Your Yoga Practice
A thoughtful tea ritual can deepen your yoga practice, fostering mindfulness and intention. Here’s how to create one:
- Choose Your Tea Mindfully
Match your tea to your practice: Matcha Serenity for pre-yoga centering, Assam Prana for dynamic flows, Oolong Om for mindful movement, Chamomile Lotus for restorative or meditation, or Rooibos Renewal for recovery. Explore Ono Tea’s blends to find your perfect allies. - Set the Space
Create a serene practice area with your mat, props, and a small tea station—think a thermos, teapot, or portable kettle. Add candles, incense, or calming music to enhance the ambiance. A dedicated space makes your ritual feel sacred. - Brew with Intention
Measure your tea, heat water, and steep with care. Use this time to focus on your breath or set an intention for your practice. The act of brewing becomes a meditation, aligning you with the present moment. - Sip and Connect
Sip your tea before, during, or after your practice, using it as a moment to check in with your body and mind. Pair with breathwork, journaling, or gentle stretches to amplify the ritual’s impact. - Reflect and Evolve
After your practice, note how the tea enhanced your experience—did it calm your mind, energize your flow, or deepen your relaxation? Refine your ritual over time to suit your practice, making tea a seamless part of your yoga journey.
Addressing Yoga-Specific Needs
Tea can support specific aspects of a yoga practice:
- Muscle Recovery: Rooibos Renewal’s antioxidants reduce post-practice soreness, especially after vigorous flows. Sip post-session to aid recovery.
- Focus for Meditation: Matcha Serenity’s L-theanine sharpens mental clarity, helping you stay present during seated meditation or pranayama.
- Stress Relief: Chamomile Lotus calms the nervous system, easing tension from challenging poses or busy days.
- Hydration: All Ono Tea blends hydrate, supporting flexibility and stamina during long practices.
Tea as a Yoga Community
Tea fosters connection among yogis, creating shared moments of mindfulness. Brew Chamomile Lotus to share after a group class, sparking reflective conversations. Host a tea-and-yoga event with Ono Tea blends, combining gentle flows with tastings. Or join the Ono Tea community online, where yoga practitioners swap tea rituals and wellness tips. These connections remind you that yoga—and tea—are about community as much as individual practice.
Final Thoughts: Your Cup, Your Practice
Yoga is a path to balance and presence, and tea is your gentle guide, enhancing every breath and pose with intention. At Ono Tea, we’re here to support your practice with blends that calm, energize, and restore. From the vibrant Matcha Serenity to the nurturing Rooibos Renewal, our teas are crafted to deepen your yoga journey, making every session a moment of mindfulness.
Next time you unroll your mat, reach for a teapot. Let the leaves steep, the steam rise, and the flavors ground you. In that cup, you’ll find more than a drink—you’ll find clarity, calm, and a ritual to elevate your practice. Explore our blends at onotea.com and discover the tea that flows with your yoga.
