Can We Drink Water During Yoga Exercises?

by Farzana
(Karachi, Pakistan )

Question: Can We Drink Water During Yoga Exercises?

Answer

1. Drinking Water Not Recommended During Yoga. It is not recommended to drink water during yoga practice. Experienced yoga practitioners can do yoga for two hours or more without drinking water.

2. Practice Yoga on Empty Stomach. It is always advised to practice yoga on empty stomach and this includes food, water or any other fluid. There should not be any food or water inside your stomach. Digestive processes consumes a lot of energy and all digestive processes should be over by the time we start yoga practice.

3. Water Break Disrupts the Flow. Taking a water break is an activity which can best be avoided as it interrupts the flow of yoga practice.

4. Listen to Your Body. However, as a beginner, if you cannot avoid thirst, it is better to take few sips of water at a time. Respect your body and listen to it, you cannot do yoga if you are feeling thirsty.

5. Explain to your yoga teacher about your need to drink water during the class and there should not be a problem.

6. Few Tips.
~ If you take sattvik diet in moderation, you will not feel thirsty during the yoga class.
~ Oily, spicy and processed foods needs to be avoided by yoga practitioners.
~ As far as possible eat light and easily digestible food during last meal before yoga.
~ Drink enough water throughout the day. One hour before yoga, avoid drinking too much water. You can still keep sipping few drops till 30 minutes to go for yoga practice. Thereafter, if you still feel thirsty, take a few sips (Do not enter yoga class with unsatisfied thirst).

You can also read about drinking water before yoga.

Hope this helps.

With warm regard
Daljit