"Try not to drink any water during class"

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I recently attended an Ashtanga Primary series class during which the teacher advised the class:

“Try not to drink water during your practice. It goes against what we are trying to do here.”

The teacher was not my regular teacher but an accomplished teacher who was a “guest” teacher at one of my local studios.

Can anybody explain why drinking water, even in small sips, would be contraindicated during an ashtanga asana practice?

I tried to respect the teacher’s advice by not drinking but about mid-way through the class I had to respect my body and take a quick sip of water. I always listen to my body during practice and if my body is cuing me to take a sip of water if I want to make it to the end of the practice, I do so.

Some other teachers I’ve had have encouraged the class to take water breaks and take small sips of water when the student feels the need. I’ve been in other classes where the class never stops, nor does the teacher encourage sipping water, yet they don’t specifically discourage ti either.

Input?

#2

You’ll find this rule at the Iyengar Center in Pune.
My understanding is that while doing asana, you are generating large amounts of prana. Taking water during practice can have a detrimental effect to the cultivation of prana, like throwing water onto a flame.
One Iyengar teacher in India instructed us to not take water for 20 minutes after class.

Forgive the sarcasm that follows; as modern western students do what they want when they want, these traditional guidelines are rarely given. With respect, if a teacher instructs a student to not do something, that rule should be obeyed. If I continued to drink water after my kung fu teacher told me not to, I’d get kicked out the class. Same thing would happen in a yoga class in Pune.

#3

[QUOTE=Terence;53615]You’ll find this rule at the Iyengar Center in Pune.
[B]My understanding is that while doing asana, you are generating large amounts of prana. Taking water during practice can have a detrimental effect to the cultivation of prana, like throwing water onto a flame.[/B]
One Iyengar teacher in India instructed us to not take water for 20 minutes after class.

Forgive the sarcasm that follows; as modern western students do what they want when they want, these traditional guidelines are rarely given. With respect, if a teacher instructs a student to not do something, that rule should be obeyed. If I continued to drink water after my kung fu teacher told me not to, I’d get kicked out the class. Same thing would happen in a yoga class in Pune.[/QUOTE]

While doing asana you CAN take in large amounts of vital energy. The performance of asana does not generate prana. Prana is already there here and everywhere it is not generated.

I see no way the consumption of water has any effect on the taking in of prana what so ever - other than the fact that you take a little break to sip the water.

Now if we are looking to get hot and sweaty inorder to perhaps rid the body of accumulated toxins within in the viscera then perhaps the consumption of water may drop body temerature - but this is negligible. Plus sweat is composed of water.

I would ask for an explanation why from the instructor.

#4

It is true that in Ashtanga practice we do not drink water during asanas, but hydrate well after practice.

#5

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;53618]It is true that in Ashtanga practice we do not drink water during asanas, but hydrate well after practice.[/QUOTE]

But why?
:confused:

#6

Well, because ashtanga is such a dynamic practice, common sense dictates that water sloshing around your guts may produce regretful results.

#7

Or you could try and understand why Iyengar instructs his students to not drink water during class.

#8

[QUOTE=Terence;53615] With respect, if a teacher instructs a student to not do something, that rule should be obeyed. If I continued to drink water after my kung fu teacher told me not to, I’d get kicked out the class. Same thing would happen in a yoga class in Pune.[/QUOTE]

I do understand the respecting the teacher bit and that in receommending students not to drink water, that is part of the practice they are teaching. But does this mean that I should ignore my body’s own cues to take a sip? If my body is my temple and I should respect it, who should I disrespect when I feel greatly thirsty: my own body or the teacher/practice?

#9

[QUOTE=Terence;53626]Or you could try and understand why Iyengar instructs his students to not drink water during class.[/QUOTE]

Something about cooling down the awakened prana.

#10

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;53625]Well, because ashtanga is such a dynamic practice, common sense dictates that water sloshing around your guts may produce regretful results.[/QUOTE]

Hmmmm.

How does taking small sips of water equate to water sloshing around one’s guts? In classes where we are encouraged to drink I’ve never felt water sloshing around my innards nor has it (thus far) prevented me from continuing my practice after taking a sip. Though, small sips have made my body feel “better” during the practice and have made me feel less dizzy at times when I was still a beginner.

#11

That was a reply I made to 'The Scales.'
Yes I agree, it is to do with not cooling down the awakened prana.

#12

[QUOTE=FlexPenguin;53625]Well, because ashtanga is such a dynamic practice, common sense dictates that water sloshing around your guts may produce regretful results.[/QUOTE]

I see.

#13

[QUOTE=Terence;53626]Or you could try and understand why Iyengar instructs his students to not drink water during class.[/QUOTE]

why does he do that I wonder? instruct no water.

Cool down prana? Oh boy!

#14

“Can anybody explain why drinking water, even in small sips, would be contraindicated during an ashtanga asana practice?”

It is safe to dismiss most of what has been said about not drinking water during practice as not of much importance. The quaility of one’s sadhana has very little to do with these outward situations, but one’s inner atmosphere. If your consciousness is absolutely rooted in the present with an uninterrupted stream of attention - then the sadhana is bound to expand in it’s possibilities. If you become thirsty during the practice, it means your body needs water, and you should drink water. In fact, if you do not drink water and continue - you may simply dehydrate and become unconscious.

Ordinarily in the yogic sciences it has always been advised to practice on an empty or quarter full stomach, or if you have eaten something, to wait at least perhaps three hours before sadhana. The reason for this is because the more active your digestive system, is the more activity it tends to trigger at the level of the mind. The digestive process requires a tremendous amount of energy on behalf of your system - the whole system becomes impacted by it. So practicing sadhana on an empty or almost empty stomach has always been seen as a useful device for the discipline. But one is just using outer situations to try and help trigger an inner process. It is not the essential phenomenon. The essential phenomenon is the inner process. So do not become too distracted by all of these outward observances, they are just skillful means. What is relevant is that when you are involved in action, you are absolutely involved in that action and nothing else - your conscious presence is essential if one is to use any of these methods as a way towards the expansion of awareness. Otherwise the discipline simply becomes mechanical, it becomes part of one’s rigid conditioning, part of one’s sleep.

#15

This makes a little sense, but I will observe that if one cannot go an hour and a half without passing out from thirst then there is a bigger problem than dehydration. If you prepare for practice then there should not be any issues. I don’t eat for 3 hours prior. If I feel hungry during practice should I stop and have a bite? Or does it mean I am not focused on my practice? I drink water all day, but refrain at least an hour before.

#16

Flex,

Yes you are right, it is important to enter into the practice with a certain amount of preparation so that there are as few obstacles as possible during the discipline.

#17

[QUOTE=amz155;53630]I do understand the respecting the teacher bit and that in receommending students not to drink water, that is part of the practice they are teaching. But does this mean that I should ignore my body’s own cues to take a sip? If my body is my temple and I should respect it, who should I disrespect when I feel greatly thirsty: my own body or the teacher/practice?[/QUOTE]

Check how much water you’re drinking during the day. If you’re sufficiently hydrated, you probably wont feel the need to take sips.
As internal heat and prana is being generated during asana practice, taking water while practicing can have a detrimental effect to the digestion.

If you’re feeling badly dehydrated and/or run down during practice, then stop training and take water, small sips at first, and as the body cools down take more.

#18

[QUOTE=Terence;53645]Check how much water you’re drinking during the day. If you’re sufficiently hydrated, you probably wont feel the need to take sips.
As internal heat and prana is being generated during asana practice, taking water while practicing can have a detrimental effect to the digestion.

If you’re feeling badly dehydrated and/or run down during practice, then stop training and take water, small sips at first, and as the body cools down take more.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I do admit to not drinking enough water on a regular basis. So, I suppose I don’t properly prepare myself for class. I should try drinking lots more during the day and see if this changes my desire for water during class.

#19

I have been led to understand that Mr Iyengar has said that in his opinion if you getting thirsty during your practise that you are practising incorrectly , ie straining for example if you find yourself pushing the tongue into the roof of the mouth during parsvottonasana not only will your shoulders harden your head become tight , you will become thirsty , I must admit in practising in this style I never seem to get thirsty , nor do I get thirsty in mysore style ashtanga vinyasa classes so I beleive what he says.
Also I have read and heard that we are trying to stoke the yogic fires , the agni certainly the digestive fire and taking on too much water would put the fire out , we could keeep our elements in balance , the analogy given is that of making a clay pot , and the balance that goes in to that with regard to air , water , earth etc . This would seem to correalate with chinese methods ie we dont want to be too damp nor of course too fiery. Might be boloney as my American cousins say but it rings true for me.
Lastly the constant carrying around of a water bottle made of oil with some usual hiseously expensive liquid is a recent phenomena it always reminds me of bottles of milk we had when we were babies , it seems to give people some comfort , and just to be some fashion accessory and often a diversion to keeping focussed on the practise and our experience. The marketing people Im sure are loving it , who would have thought we would be buying bottled water , when the tap water is often free ?

#20

I think as beginners we should be careful not to just give in to ‘our desires’.

Just because our habitual mind cues say " i feel i have to do drink water" or “i feel i have to scratch my nose” does not mean ‘that is the best thing for us’.

Our mind plays constant tricks, and we should use our yoga practice as an opportunity to watch the mind.

In India for thousands of years, if a teacher asked one to do certain things, or not do certain things, one simply did them. There was a trust and respect that was slowly and gradually built up with the teacher, and by ‘turning over one’s mind to some extent’ to the teacher, and simply following the guidance and instructions, one at first saw the games the mind played… and the struggle the mind outs up… but in time, one saw a taming of the mind, a strengthening of the will power, and in time the aspirant after taming the mind sufficiently then turned to the inner guru instead of an external guru.

I know that this goes completely against our Western ideas and what we hold as ‘ideals’ where each person is autonomous, independent, a free thinker… and what each person thinks for themselves is almost sacred and ‘to be respected’ such as 'my body is a temple… i know what is right for my body… my mind tells me what is right for my body… so i should follow MY feelings/mind.

Whereas in other cultures, there is an awareness that firstly the mind needs to be trained. The Ego needs to be met, and gradually tamed, so that one can recognize what is in fact a habitual thought/
/feeling/habit and then go beyond that to identify with the observer… but not get ‘led by the mind’.

There are many many things within yoga that are not understood. Many practices, guidelines etc. that have been passed down through centuries, and the real reasons or multitude of reasons have been lost.

In India the teacher did not ‘explain why’, they simply explained the techniques and the how.

In general Indian people do not have this busy western mind which constantly asked ‘but why…’

Equally well, when we ingest food or liquid and stimulate our stomachs and manipuru chakra, we are activating pingala channel.

If we are hoping to awaken sushumna channel we should be trying to balance ida and pingala as much as possible, so not over stimulating one or the other.

Many will say that this should be kept just for sitting prananyama or meditation practice… but other traditions such as Satyananda yoga advise not drinking during asana practice also.

It is also one of the ‘habitual acts’ that we do, and it is useful to be in an atmosphere where we can ‘drop’ those acts.

We won’t die by not drinking water for one hour :wink:

I wish you well with your practice.

Best Wishes,
Dave