Hydration and Nutrition Tips for Intensive Yoga Practice

Yoga defines you. Yoga integrates your mind and body and aligns it with peace and mindfulness. Practising yoga can make you mentally and physically fit and emotionally stable.

Yoga practice is motivating and helps you to boost your confidence. It is a way of life. Yoga influences every walk of your life. Are you an intense yoga practitioner? If yes, you need to know the hydration and nutrition tips for your intense practice sessions to keep you focused and stable. 

Introduction

Intensive yoga practice demands recovery of energy. Keeping your body balanced and vigilant is an essential aspect. While performing intensive yoga practice, make sure to keep your body and mind balanced and positive.

You have to keep your level of performance consistent and maintain the intensity of your practice. Your energy levels will be challenged once you involve yourself in intensive yoga practices.

Intensive yoga practice tests your energy and strength along with your flexibility. Keep on reading to know the strategies to keep yourself surviving each intensive yoga practice session.

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Hydration Basics for Yogis

Water defines your health in all its aspects. For yogis, water is the real elixir. You need to drink lots of water to maintain the clarity and balance of your body and mind.

Staying hydrated is the core aspect of intensive yoga practice. Save yourself from dehydration. Detoxify yourself to prevent stress.

Muscle recovery and joint health are interconnected with the daily consumption of water. The cramps, fatigue, and dullness can be linked with the lack of water consumption.

Your natural body nature will be altered if you lower the water consumption rate. The energy and enthusiasm to do intensive yoga sessions come with body care. 

Hydration Guidelines

Here are the basic hydration guidelines for yogis.

• Drink 3 litres of water per day. 
• Drink water, giving a break. 
• Do not depend on thirst to drink water.
• Drink water with electrolytes. 
• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. 
• Always drink warm water.
• Let it sweat! 

Pre-Practice Hydration and Nutrition

Eating and drinking before yoga practice should be considered an essential part of the life cycle. You have to remain hydrated and energetic while practising yoga.

As yoga is a way of life, practising it by taking essential steps can be more beneficial in all its senses. One hour or half an hour before your yoga session, drink at least 2 glasses of water.

• Always drink electrolyte-rich water.
• Add lemon and a pinch of salt while you drink water. 
• Avoid the consumption of caffeine. 

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Intra-Practice Hydration Tips

Overstimulation can be worse, just like bloating. Make sure that you remain hydrated throughout the session.

You have to take intermediate breaks and consume water slowly, instead of gulping it down. Make sure that you stay hydrated during the intermediate sessions too.

The electrolyte-rich water can be rejuvenating and will help you continue your training sessions. Know your body and act accordingly.

While you indulge in intensive yoga practice, you need to consume water in between the sessions. 

• Drink water slowly.
• Avoid gulping.
• Use reusable bottles.
• Drink warm water.
• Add natural electrolytes to your water.

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Post-Practice Recovery: Hydration and Fuel

Eat your meal two hours before you start your yoga practice. Here are some suggestions to remain protein-rich for the yoga session. 

• Stewed pears 
• Smoothies
• Banana with almond butter
• Soaked nuts or seeds
• Stewed apple with cinnamon 
• Soaked dates
• Oatmeal

You should be very careful to avoid the greasy, spicy, and dairy products before you start practicing because it will lead to bloating and cramps. 

After the intensive yoga sessions, your body needs more energy to replenish, rejuvenate, and regain the strength and power. Maintaining energy levels is really important when you consider the state of your body after the intensive yoga session. 

Post-Yoga Hydration 

After the yoga practice, drink electrolyte-rich water in plenty. 

• Consume herbal teas.
• Consumption of coconut water is advisable. 
• Consume rehydration drinks.
• Post-yoga nutrition 
• Consume food only after one hour of your yoga practice. 

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Try including the below-mentioned food in your eating plan. 

• Smoothies
• Salads
• Kitchari
• Soups
• Steamed veggies 
• Broths

Avoid low-protein food items. Fried, greasy, and cold food items will cause indigestion, which in turn prevents the recovery of your body after a yoga session.

Conclusion

Before and after intensive yoga practice, you need to give more importance to hydration and nutrition. They are the real source of energy for the yogis. The purity, clarity, and calmness of the mind can only be achieved with the aid of a proper diet plan.

As yoga is a lifestyle, embracing it properly is the individual’s responsibility. You have to fuel your body to survive the intensive yoga practice sessions. The sattvic meals help you to maintain a healthy and balanced body. A balanced body indicates a clear and healthy mind. Know your body and develop a deep connection to feel the rhythm of your mind!