The Importance of Water in Your Yoga Practice

If you’re planning to include Yoga in your health routine, then you’re going to want to include water in your routine. You’ve got everything ready, mats, blocks, belts, and bolsters, the only thing missing is a water bottle. 

If your yoga session is at least 90 minutes, having a water bottle by your side is necessary. Most people have questions when it comes to yoga and water.

You may have heard over and over again that you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water. The continuous message of ‘must drink 8 glasses of water every day’ has pushed all of us to carry a bottle with us everywhere. 

The same logic applies when you go to yoga classes. Your body needs the right amount of water every day. Not drinking water while practicing yoga may be counterintuitive. Drinking the right amount of water can have physiological and energetic effects of water consumption on your body. 

How Much Water Should You Drink Generally

The best advice to consume water daily is to drink water when thirsty. While helpful, this advice is too simple, but it’s a good way to stay hydrated throughout the day. 

Studies say that you have to drink eight glasses of water each day. But, new health advisors recognize that individuals need different amounts of water. 

People who exercise every day need more water than those who don’t. Someone who lives in extremely hot conditions will need more water. If you want to calculate a specific amount of water that works for you, calculate all the drinks, beverages, and liquid-heavy fruits and veggies you consume in a day.

The best part is that your body will tell you if you’re not consuming enough water. Frequent light-headedness, headaches, or dryness indicate that you should drink more water. 

Dark urine, infrequent urination, or constipation are signs that your body needs more water. Signs of dehydration during asana practice include dehydration, sweat, cramping, and muscle stiffness.

Tips for Healthy Hydration

If you drink an adequate amount of liquid and still feel thirsty, there’s a chance that your body isn’t getting enough hydration. Here are some ways you can keep yourself hydrated. 

The first thing for healthy hydration is that you shouldn’t drink chilled water. Cold water cools down the essential digestive fire in your body. Cold water hurts your overall system instead of helping it. 

Instead, you should drink lukewarm water that helps with digestion and circulation. It even makes it easier for your body to absorb nutrients and flush out toxins. 

Another way to drink water healthily is to drink water as soon as you wake up in the morning (around 1 liter).

For maximum absorption, make sure you drink water slowly and in a seated position. 

Relationship Between Water and Yoga

If you start your day by drinking warm water and before meals, you’ll not need to hydrate during yoga practice. If you’re in a fast-paced yoga class, slowly drink eight ounces of water at least 30 minutes beforehand. 

If possible, avoid drinking water immediately before or during Yoga sessions. In addition to making our physical bodies feel inflated, consuming large amounts of water before or during class. 

Consuming large amounts of water before or during a yoga session makes our bodies feel inflated. When participating in strenuous physical activity, we often mistake a need for water for air. You don’t have to drink water, you just need to relax. 

If you do feel thirsty during yoga, take a moment to check in with your body. After a few deep breaths, if the sensation persists, make your water consumption part of your practice.