We know drinking water is a healthy behavior. But it’s even more important to do if you practice Hot Yoga, as we do at Alkaline Wellness.
We are made up of more than 80% water so regularly hydrating is essential for optimal health.
There are many drinks advertised to help us quench our thirst, including various sodas, flavored waters, and sport drinks. But which provide the best hydration?
Today I want to talk about the importance of hydration and why you should care.
Hydration and Electrolytes
Whether you drink tap water or filtered water, all water has some electrolytes in it. Electrolytes include potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium.
Electrolytes are minerals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. They are typically distributed in the body as fluid. They are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids.
In order for our muscles to contract, we need sufficient amounts of sodium and potassium to derive enough energy to enable our muscles to contract.
Electrolytes are essential for:
- Fluid balance
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Muscle contraction, including your heart
- Maintaining the correct acidity of your blood
- Nerves to transmit information to the body
- Moving waste out of the body and cells
- Moving nutrients into the cells
Electrolytes are in the foods that you eat as well as the fluids that you drink.
Hydration for Hot Yoga
When doing Hot Yoga, we can lose a significant amount of electrolytes through sweating.
So when preparing for a class, it’s essential to make sure you are not only hydrating with water, but that you’re getting ample amounts of electrolytes to ensure that you can practice safely.
Electrolyte balance is key. For those who practice Hot Yoga, if not hydrated properly, you risk developing symptoms of dehydration such as fainting, low energy, weakness, headaches, numbness, tingling, and cramping.
Hydrating before class is key to prepare for the class, and hydrating after class is necessary to replenish lost electrolytes.
I’ve personally practiced many months without replenishing electrolytes and I experienced significant headaches and fatigue after class.
Sources of Electrolytes
There are many sports drinks, like Gatorade, that claim to have electrolytes. However, they contain high fructose syrup, chemicals, and artificial colorings, which make these drinks not the healthiest options.
Coconut water is great but I’ve found that it doesn’t have quite enough electrolytes for the amount of sweating that happens in Hot Yoga. But because coconut water is nature’s water and I love the taste of it, I either supplement my coconut water by adding an electrolyte tablet or powder, or I use these supplements after drinking the coconut water.
When we are properly hydrated with essential electrolytes, you can expect a stronger yoga practice and enhanced experience. Energy levels after class will drastically improve as compared to not supplementing with electrolytes.
My recommendations for electrolytes are:
- NUUN electrolyte tablets – you can get at any health stores
- Emergen C- electrolyte powder with added vitamin C
- Endura by Metagenics – this is my favorite electrolyte supplement that we sell at our center. You can also purchase it by clicking HERE.
I hope this message helps you to stay ahead in your health endeavors as you pursue Hot Yoga or any other movements that require you to sweat.
Looking forward to hearing from you always.
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See you next time.