A rigorous yoga practice can really help you to work up a sweat, regardless of what style of yoga you happen to practice. Yogis have known for centuries that a regular yoga practice is essential to keeping your mind and body healthy. It should come as no surprise that your body may leave a particularly hot class feeling a little parched.
Many yogis are tempted to head straight from the yoga studio to the local coffee shop. A quick jolt of caffeine can be an excellent way to restore your energy following a workout. Unfortunately, a cup of coffee isn’t going to make you feel hydrated or restore balance to your body.
It generally isn’t advised to drink water in the middle of a strenuous practice. Drinking water during a strenuous practice can cause issues and discomfort in some of the poses you may practice during your time on the mat. Poses that can be affected by excess water consumption include inversions such as shoulder stands and handstands.
However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t drink water when the class is finished. Generally speaking, the average person requires 64 ounces of water each day, but you may need more if you exercise regularly and rigorously. You may want to consider drinking a glass of warm or room-temperature water anywhere from fifteen to forty minutes after the class is over.
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How does hydration actually help your yoga practice?
1. Water helps your body use nutrients more efficiently.
Proper hydration helps to keep your body balanced over time. When you have enough water in your body, it can more effectively transport nutrients through the bloodstream. This means that your body is more effectively digesting the food that you consume on a regular basis. Overall, this means that proper hydration can help your body to function more efficiently, giving you more energy for a better-quality yoga practice.
2. Water helps to clear your skin.
When you have the appropriate amount of water in your body, it can use that hydration to flush out the toxins. In the case of your skin, this often means that a properly hydrated yogi will have clearer and healthier skin. It’s less prone to cracking and dry patches that are marked by irritated, itchy, and flaky skin.
3. Water helps your muscles to work better.
Your muscles are composed of a certain amount of water, which means that they can actually shrink in size when they’re dehydrated. Smaller muscle cells are more easily fatigued, and the opposite is also true. A hydrated body means that your muscles are less likely to become tired and more likely to help you power through a difficult workout or a challenging afternoon at the office.
Yoga practice is about more than simply maintaining your alignment through a difficult asana. It should be about nourishing and caring for your body in every possible way. Hydrating your body is a key part of the practice because it truly helps your body to function better and feel better as time goes on.
