Actress Kim Jiho, 8 Years of Daily Yoga on an Empty Stomach

Recently, actress Kim Jiho (50) appeared on the TV Chosun program "Foodie Heo Young-man's Table Tour," where she traveled to Goyang, Gyeonggi-do.

When asked about her health management, Kim Ji-ho revealed, “I practice yoga regularly every morning on an empty stomach.” During the show, she showcased her impressive yoga skills.

Having practiced yoga for eight years, Kim Ji-ho laughed when Heo Young-man said, “You’ve been doing yoga longer than your marriage.” She responded, “Yes, my husband often jokes that I’ll soon be floating in the air or heading to the mountains.”

Benefits of Yoga for Mental Health

Kim Ji-ho’s consistent yoga practice helps reduce stress and improve flexibility and balance. The deep breathing emphasized in yoga enhances nutrient delivery to cells and promotes blood circulation, benefiting muscle mass and basic fitness.

Yoga is also good for brain health. According to a study by UCLA researchers, yoga can improve neuroplasticity, which lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change its neural pathways, playing a key role in adapting to new behaviors and experiences.

Static yoga poses can provide meditation benefits for psychological stability, while dynamic poses offer aerobic exercise benefits. Regular aerobic exercise can lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Yoga as Aerobic Exercise

While people often think of running or cycling when it comes to aerobic exercise, a study in the journal "Complementary Therapies" shows that yoga can provide similar benefits.

One notable yoga pose is the Sun Salutation, which boosts energy efficiency and focus while improving overall strength and flexibility. It consists of 12 poses, and performing them quickly increases exercise effectiveness and calorie burn.

Kim Ji-ho practices yoga in the morning on an empty stomach. Research suggests that exercising on an empty stomach can burn about 20% more fat because the body has fewer carbohydrates available for energy.

However, people who struggle with blood sugar control should be cautious with fasting exercise, especially if they use oral diabetes medication or insulin, as it may lead to dizziness or nausea. Exercising on an empty stomach for too long can also lead to muscle loss, so it's best to limit the duration to 30 minutes. Fat burning is most active after fasting aerobic exercise, so it’s ideal to wait an hour after exercising before eating.