Staying hydrated is definitely more challenging in the summer.

You’re sweating more than usual with that hot sun beating down. And it sure has been a scorcher here in Winnipeg, eh?

You’re probably more active as you’re out and about playing more sports and enjoying that awesome weather.

With all the parties and BBQ, you might be indulging in more salty snacks. Not to mention the beer :)

And then you add your regular hot yoga practise on top of that, and you’ve got one recipe for dehydration!

So it becomes even more important in the summer months to be conscious of your hydration levels before you step into that Bikram class.

Tips for staying quenched

• Make drinking fluids a part of your routine, so that it’s more difficult to forget to quench up. For example, drink a large glass of water or 2 before every meal. Eventually, it will become second nature.
• Compensate for fluid zappers. Whenever you have a cup of coffee or a fun summer cocktail, drink a glass of water to counteract the diuretic effects.
• Carry water with you everywhere. Often we get dehydrated because we don’t have liquids on hand. Make it a habit to carry a water bottle with you wherever you go, so that you don’t get stuck sans fluids.
• Boost those electrolytes. Sport drinks were created to help athletes deal with the dehydration that is a result of their intensive activity. The problem with them is that they are full of chemicals and additives. Reach for a natural alternative before. Coconut water is an incredible source of the five electrolytes that are naturally present in our bodies. This includes potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and calcium. Grab some at the front desk, or pick it up from your fav health food store.
• Load up on naturally quenching foods. Think cucumber, watermelon, apples – any fruit or veggie with a high water content will help. It makes it easy that we usually crave these foods in the summer anyways.
• Up your intake. Drink more than you usually do in the summer. Your body needs it. Especially before, during and after rigourous exercise, such as during your Bikram class.

How to know you’re dehydrated

Sometimes you can get so busy, that you might forget to drink all your liquids or you might not be compensating enough for that extra sweat you got on while hanging at the beach.

Here are some common dehydration signs your body is using to urge you to grab that water bottle:

• Bathroon stuff changes. If you notice that you haven’t needed the facilities as much as is normal for you, it’s a sign that your body is running low on liquids. If your urine is super dark, that’s another sign.
• You feel fatigued. Or hungry. Or you have a headache. Your body sends signals to let you know you’re dehydrated, but they often get mis-read. Instead of reaching for that cup of tea, that snack, or that cold cloth, try having a few glasses of water first.
• And obviously, if you’re thirsty you’re dehydrated. You should do your best to avoid getting into this parched state though. Being thirsty is one of the last signs of dehydration, and means that you body is in desperate need of some liquid – asap!

If you have any other hydration tips, please share in the comments. Happy hot summer yogis!

Image source: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hot off the presses - featuring Amanda, Tannis and testimonials from some of our wonderful yogis!

Kudos to all of our challengers who have participated in the last 3 consecutive challenges in the past 4 months...especially those rocking the 60 day finale! Be sure to keep tabs on the changes it made in your life, big or small...we will be accepting testimonials from any of you, and posting a handful on our new website. One lucky entry will win a prize, so get your pens and keyboards writing! Stay posted for details...our efforts are inspiring, and you're all doing great...keep up the good work! Don't let that early morning alarm clock get you down! "Good Morning, Sunshine!"



I was terrified and very nervous before my first Bikram yoga class. I generally don't like sweating and I don’t fare so well in hot climes. I’m the flushed, sweaty foreign girl who gets major headaches and dizziness whenever she goes somewhere tropical. Not even after living through a summer in Japan did I make peace with humidity.

So how did I ever end up in a hot yoga class? Amanda’s brother was adamant it would do me good. I hadn’t been feeling in top form - sluggish, fatigued, bloated.  My regular exercise routine and healthy diet was not doing what it used to. I was looking for a way to change up my regimen and get my energy back. And so, I found myself in a super hot room full of people wondering why the heck everyone was wearing such skimpy attire (I made the mistake of showing up in pants - I still hadn't come to terms with how much heat and sweat I was in for).

In hindsight, that first class is a bit of a blur. My body was doing and experiencing things it never had before. And my mind was fighting back big time. "This is too hard, stop it." "Eww... sweat is trickling everywhere." "Why is the heat on so f***ing high?" "Are these people insane?" And on and on. My body was struggling too. I felt super naseous and dizzy. I could not do all the poses and had to take tons of breaks. I seriously questionned whether I would be able to stay in the room...

... but I did!. And I didn't throw up. I made it through. Yes, I had a monster headache afterwards. Yes, I felt weak the rest of the day. Yes, it took a while for my face to return to its normal colour from the lovely shade of tomato it had taken on. BUT, deep down inside I felt good. I had released some major toxins. I had never used my muscles in such a way and they were thanking me. And I was proud of myself. I has done something I was scared of, went way beyond my comfort zone and I stuck with it.

I went back... again and again. And with each class under my belt, I felt better. Eventually, I never had to take any breaks and the major discomfort passed.

Now, as I am pushing myself in class beyond my limits, reaching new lengths, I think back to that first class and how far I’ve come. Sometimes, it's the things that you really don't want to do that end up giving you the greatest benefits. I started in Bikram hell and now find myself in hot yoga heaven.

And yes, I now LOVE to sweat!

Written by Martina - Bikram yoga convert