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

To help make it possible for participation in our first annual Bikram Beach yoga party, our hours will change as follows...

      Saturday, July 16th: 8:00 & 10:00am only (4pm cancelled)

      Sunday, July 17th:  5:00pm class only (10:00am cancelled)

                      (5:00pm class this Sunday only!)

Sunday, July 17th 2011 1pm-2:30pm

1st Annual Bikram Yoga on the Beach at Gimli Beach!

Todd has organized a huge gathering of stafford students and invited all of Gimli to participate in a FREE 90 MIN Bikram Yoga class!!!

Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend!  No need to sign up, just show up!  Use a mat, towel, or just bare feet on the sand...

Bring a friend, your sister, your neighbour or even your dog! Spend a day at the beach, we will get to jump in the lake following our class!  Oh what a feeling!  Look forward to seeing all of you who can attend:)

Starting Wed, July 6th is our new R.M.T Sheri Haverstock.  For more info check

http://www.staffordstreethotyoga.com/massage-therapy/.  We would like to warmly welcome her to the studio, as with Christy, please contact her directly!

Folk Fest!  July 7th-10th Yoga at Pope's Hill

Amanda will be teaching again at 9:30am Thursday and Friday July 7th and 8th at the bottom of Pope's Hill!  Everyone welcome, beginners too, FREE!  Bring a towel or mat, and wake up with the sunshine at Folk Fest!  Amanda's good friend Chrissy Sie-Merritt of South Moon Studio will also be teaching Saturday and Sunday morning same time, same location a series of Vinyasa Flow Yoga:)  No shortage of good vibes from the Folk Fest!

Construction Update!

Thank you for your patience and patronage as our building has been under construction.  Although it is not yet complete, we are and will remain open through the back door if the front gets blocked again. 

Ume's Kitchen and Orange Lily Raw Foods

Sarah will have love buns, cinnamon buns and Kev's fresh granola available for eating in and take home every wednesday and thursday mornings in the studio!  New additions to our love bun menu are our prune/apricot love buns and our cinnamon/currant love buns! They have been selling out, limited quantity, let us know in advance if you want us to put some aside! Yummy! 

Ume's kitchen cards may be used and purchased for the sale of any Ume's Kitchen Products.  Kitchen is cash only please.

As you may have noticed, Amanda Grant from Orange Lily Raw Foods has been offering her delicious fresh juices and smoothies on the weekends so far.  Winnipeg is such an anomoly, and as it turns out, so many of our beloved students jump in the lake on the weekend.  Because of lower attendance on the weekends for the summer, we are going to try and off her menu Tuesday evenings for the 5 and 7 pm classes and see how that goes.  Come fall we will surely expand, stay tuned for more details. 

For now, Orange Lily will be open following Tuesday 5 and 7 pm classes starting July 19th! 

Unlimited Members!

Ok, it's time!  You have unlimited access to the best Bikram yoga studio in Winnipeg!  Get on your bike, rollerblades, piggy back if you need to, but grab your yoga buddy and take in some great yoga.  You know you feel great just after one class, can you even imagine the well being that will overflow from you if you do 3 or 4 or more?  Yes, work hard!  110%.  Sweat bullets, and fix your broken minds and broken bodies.  No more excuses, it's time to make change for the better!!!  All of our staff look forward to seeing you in class, all you need to do is show up!  It's that easy!

xox SSHY

It seems that Summer Solstice was earth-shaking indeed!  As many of you already know, the facade that holds our SSHY sign out front has shifted, and is undergoing emergency repair.  It is not a structural issue, but it wouldn't be fun to have the whole thing fall on anyone's head.  It has been swift and sudden, and we don't have any answers yet as to how long anything will take, however action has been taken very promptly, and we will do our best to keep everyone informed.

We are using our "V.I.P." back door entrance for yogis and yoginis to still get into the studio.  To find your way back there, go around the left side of the building, take another left or two, and come on in!  All classes are being offered, although we are freshly into our summer schedule, so please take note!

Thank you all for your patience, and we'll see you in the heat!