drinking water in class

[Guest guest]

> i agree how interesting how many folks participated in answering such a simple

question!

 

Especially considering that the answer is so straightforward & commonsensical:

 

Some of the benefits of Ashtanga practice come from the heat that is generated,

and the

meditative state that is achieved by the breathing, & by flowing through the

sequence

uninterrupted. Stopping to drink water would interfere with both the heat & the

breathing;

it breaks the flow of the practice.

 

Also, water sloshing around can be distracting & even problematic in inverted

postures.

 

So, the recommended course to optimize the usefulness of the practice is to

avoid

drinking immediately before and during. Some practitioners recommend not

drinking

immediately afterwards either, altho this seems less crucial.

 

The sensible thing to do is to stay adequately hydrated in general so you won't

be

distractingly thirsty or in danger of getting dehydrated during practice. If,

on some rare

occasion, you are not sufficiently hydrated, by all means have some water.

Ashtanga is

supposed to require discipline, and that entails some discomfort, but there is

no wisdom

or benefit in compromising your health. I remember one practice when I was

recovering

from a cold and my throat was scratchy. At various points during class, I would

cough if I

didn't take sips of water, & the coughing was distracting to me & the other

students. On

that occasion, I used water during practice, and it was the sensible thing to do

under

those unique circumstances.

 

Rowena