Hi everyone! Today we are going to talk about liquid intake. This is an important factor for hydrating oneself appropriately for practicing Bikram (hot!) yoga. It is also a very important factor in the Macrobiotic approach to healing and maintaining healthy kidneys. It would be so easy if both camps were telling us the same thing but this is not always the case, here is why and what to do about it:

When most of us begin to practice Bikram, or any yoga practiced in a heated room, the mind reacts very strongly. The only distraction we are allowed is to drink water. And drink we do. Guzzling here and there as the mind demands, we stop focusing on our selves and our practice. To bring the Mind under conscious control is the goal of yoga. Supple, limber bodies are a sweet bonus.

Some yoga teachers say drink “plenty” of water thirty minutes before class. And drink much more after. In fear of dehydrating or becoming too hot, we guzzle. However, guzzling and drinking too much water or any liquid all at once taxes the kidneys greatly and leads to problems down the line.

Here is the Macrobiotic perspective quoted directly from George Oshawa (the great Japanese teacher who brought Macrobiotics to the West after WW2):

“The drink-as-much-as-you-can system is a simpleminded invention because the originator of such a theory completely ignored the marvelous mechanism of kidney metabolism. He erred in conceiving the kidney to be similar in structure and function to a mechanical sewage system. Large quantities of liquid will flush out and clear a clay or cast iron pipe. The kidney, however, is not a cast iron pipe. It contains tissue that must be flexible and porous so that the process of filtration, diffusion and reabsorption can take place. If liquid is taken in large quantities, the minute openings in the semi-permeable kidney tissue decrease in size (these openings are surrounded by tissue that is sponge-like, that soaks up the liquid and swells) and little or no liquid can pass through! For all practical purposes, the kidneys are blocked. The net result is a complete reversal of what the drink-as-much-as-you-can system intended. Help your tired, overworked kidneys: DRINK LESS.”

The hot room is not the real cause for us wanting to take in so much water. The real problem lies in our diet and our absent thought on the matter. The modern theory which prescribes the drinking of much liquid was born out of necessity. It is important indeed for the meat eater to drink great quantities of liquid in order to wash down that which can pollute the system. If you eat processed food, meat and flour products, you will need to drink the water that would otherwise come in natural form. For example, cooked rice is 60% water. Fruits and vegetables are mostly water. Soups, and other whole grains boiled or pressure cooked are mostly water. The greatest cause for overheating and exaggerated thirst in the hot room is eating meat, drinking coffee and alcohol (all heating in the body) and not eating enough water-rich foods. Small amounts of liquid should be sufficient for those who do not make meat their main food and coffee their main drink. Don’t take my word for it, EXPERIMENT on yourself and discover the Truth for yourself!

Learning to drink less is much more difficult than learning to eat wisely and simply. And in the hot conditions of Bikram yoga it is a subtle, yet profound practice of choosing when and how much to drink. Observe yourself – your mind - honestly. Most of the time, a sip will do, if any water is required at all. The stronger your practice, the less and less water you will need. And if you think George is harsh, I will end with a quote from another great Macrobiotic author, Naboru Muramoto, who says, “The theory of flushing out the body with water is very widely observed, but it leaves man everything but free. His pathological desires run his life and he is forced to submit to their consequences. To summarize, drinking should not be a perfunctory action involving no decision of mind or body. Excess drinking harms the digestive process, prevents one from chewing properly and dulls the thinking. It is advisable to sip liquids rather than gulp them down. That improvement alone will prevent much trouble.”

Blessings on your path,

Tannis 

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