Should I have hydration schedules or drink small sips of water throughout the day?

Hello Marcelina

I think that what you are doing is a fine thing to do. That litre before anything I believe is essential for anybody and even for those not doing hot yoga (to have at least a couple of big glasses of water).

As for drinking small amounts through the day: I tend to avoid drinking a lot around the time that I eat. So if you’re happy on your drip-feed (hehehe) and you’re not affecting your eating or getting feelings of indigestion, then I say, just do what feels comfortable.

For people that are trying to drink a certain amount, I always recommend filling x number of bottles through the day. You’re probably doing just that. To aim to drink a minimum of 3 bottles of water on days that you practise is a great way to do it.

That’s hydration. The question of how well you are supplementing your water intake with electrolytes (in the form of sea salt or tabs or sachets) is the important consideration. It’s often forgotten as people just assume it’s hydration that is crucial. Things to ponder: Salt your food, add a pinch of sea salt to your water (I also like some lemon in there) take some kind of proprietary electrolyte product (may be expensive!). These things have to balance your sweaty hot yoga habit 😆 otherwise you’re losing crucial ions from your system in your sweat. These little oft-forgotten items are the way your systems work! Your body is like a battery and needs ions.

Looking around the forum you are likely to find posts that recommend taking water and sea salt during class or ANY activity where you exert yourself. Doing so can feel like you have switched yourself back on again. I have seen gardeners and electricians and other folk at my house doing work, flagging, about to ‘expire’. I give them a long drink of water and sea salt and lemon and they transform in front of me. Cheaper than any Name-O-Rade drink and IMO more effective.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

This is what I have started to carry with me to work so I get in lots of water… 🙂