Water helps our bodies to function properly day in and day out. To keep your body well hydrated, you should drink about 64 ounces of water per day. Without doubt, you may need more if you’re doing an activity like yoga. During a typical yoga class, you can lose anywhere from three to five pounds of water weight due to all of the stretching that goes on in yoga. Make sure you start drinking water after a yoga session to help rehydrate yourself.
A lot of stretching involved during a yoga class can influence the way your kidney works. Toxins may be released into your body as a result, and you will need water to flow freely through your body to help flush them out.
There are some simple steps you need to take to be sure that you know how to drink water effectively for a yoga class.
- Drink plenty of water in the time leading up to class. There’s no need to overdo it, but don’t drink a couple glasses ten minutes before the class starts. Rather, you can stay hydrated by drinking water hours before yoga class begins. This gives your body time to absorb the water and properly hydrate your body.
- If the yoga session lasts for more than 30 minutes, drink at least a ¼ litre after every 30 minutes of exercise. A general rule is to drink at least a cup of water for every hour of the day.
- After exercising, drink at least 1 litre of water to fully replenish the fluids you’ve lost from all that physical activity. Don’t be afraid to drink a little more, there is no such thing as too much water!
- When the yoga session ends, have a bottle of water ready to replenish the water that you just lost. In general, you should be drinking about 64 ounces of water per day. But, you may need more if you’re doing an activity like yoga, so start drinking water after yoga ends to help rehydrate yourself.
- Avoid gulping down water in haste. It should be sipped slowly — as if you are drinking a cup of hot tea. Keep sipping water over a period of time to keep yourself hydrated.
- Avoid excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol 24 hours prior to class. Both of these substances can lead to excessive fluid loss and dehydration.
- You can try adding at least ½ litre of a natural electrolyte to your day for every hour of exercise you do. Coconut water is a tasty and refreshing choice!
- Ensure that the water you consume is clean and filtered. It is best to carry your own bottle to the class.
The best approach is to drink a sip of two of water if you feel dehydrated during a class or between asanas.