FAQ #9

In order to maintain a normal healthy body, a good rule of thumb is to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. If you practice yoga regularly, drink more than half of your body weight. As you learn to listen to your body, it will tell you exactly how much water it needs. Drinking water before class will help keep you from feeling overheated, dizzy, nauseous and tired. It will also lubricate your muscles and joints, thereby minimizing the chances of soreness.

During class, however, you should drink as little water as possible — and for Hot Hatha yoga specifically, only during the designated water breaks. This is because you are contorting and compressing your internal organs. If you have too much water in your system while you are bending your body and contracting your organs, the water will have no place to go and you will feel sick. Drink lots of water after class though (and throughout the rest of the day), to compensate for all the fluids you lost through perspiration during your yoga practice.