Why You Should Be Drinking More Water Before Yoga

Proper hydration is essential for a clear mind. Despite this, 2000 people are a year hospitalized in Arizona as a result of dehydration.

The feminine energy of Shakti Yoga is designed to help you confront everyday stresses, so optimal performance is required to get the most out of your classes. To awaken this energy, Shakti focuses on flowing movements which are more demanding than usual static movements and therefore more water is lost in this form of yoga. To limit strain on your body and help to detox, consider purchasing a yoga wheel.

Are You Drinking Enough?

To work out how much water you should be drinking, take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2. If you’re under 30, times this number by 40. If you’re between 30 and 55, multiply by 35 and if you’re over 50 then multiply by 30. Divide the total by 28.3 to see how many ounces of water you should be drinking a day.

This means the average American should be drinking 80-107 ounces a day or 10-13 cups, depending on age. Most people don’t get close to this number. You should be drinking an extra 12 ounces for every half hour of exercise and of course, drink more if you’re outside in the hot sun. If in doubt, it’s almost impossible to over-hydrate, so err on the side of drinking more. Purchasing a water bottle with measurement markers on it will help you track exactly how much you are consuming. It's also an easy way to hydrate during your yoga sessions. 

Benefits For Yoga

Hydration before, during and after yoga practice will make you perform better, increasing strength and flexibility. A lack of water can damage the cardiovascular system, meaning that your body cannot stay cool. This makes yoga a strain and limits your performance. Hydration ensures that your immune system functions properly so that you do not get sick or feel stomach pains by flushing out toxins.

Without proper hydration, you will feel tired, making it more difficult to hold those demanding poses. Water is the zero calorie way to gain energy. So you can feel more alert and physically capable without consuming anything sugary. It will also lubricate muscles to reduce the chance of getting cramps and strains.

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This also means you can maintain proper concentration. Yoga requires you to really focus and meditate in order to achieve a tranquil state. The brain is mostly made of water, and by dehydrating it becomes deprived of the essential oxygen, it needs to maintain clarity and focus.

Hydration is important for everyone, but as a yogi who is regularly engaging in strenuous mental and physical workouts, it is essential. If you have felt you have been underperforming or feeling tired and ill recently, try consuming more water. Doing the calculations and tracking water intake is the easiest way to ensure you are properly hydrated since it is easy to forget or overestimate how much water you have drunk.