Nov 12, Noon: Water!

Today's yoga class was brought to you by . . . not water. I left my filled water bottle at home on the kitchen counter.

This is not the first time I've completed a Bikram yoga class without water. I have left my water at home about five times over the last three months. Thinking about it today, though, I found another reason to see how far I've come. (I'm more than 250 classes and still no Standing Bow, so lately I am obsessed with finding other areas where I have made progress.)

When I first started practicing, I don't think I drank an obscene amount of water. I see people in the yoga room with two water bottles, one of them frozen. I started out with a plastic bottle that was probably 800 mL, and at the end of class, it was 1/2 - 3/4 full (but quickly emptied then).

As I became more interested in and committed to my practice, I started reading Bikram yoga forums and blogs online. Water is a subject that comes up often. I learned that Mary Jarvis' students aren't allowed to bring water into class at all. I read that water was just a distraction, our body just searching for something cold, our mind needing something to focus on other than the yoga, our breath.

I became committed to letting go of the distraction. I knew that's what the water was for me - a mini-escape from the heat, the yoga, meeting my own eyes in the mirror. I started out by promising myself I wouldn't drink water during the floor series except at Fixed Firm. (I quickly realized my stomach appreciated the lack of slooshing water in Camel.) Once I was able to make it through the floor series with only the one break, I endeavored to do the same in the standing series, with the exception of party time. I also allowed myself to take a sip before the first savasana. It didn't take very long to train myself into 3 breaks only. Before I knew it, I was only drinking at the first savasana, without even making that a goal.

The first time I left my water at home, I faced a dilemma. I was new to this studio, and I honestly hadn't noticed whether they sold water bottles in the lobby. (At my previous studio, they only sell metal water bottles, and there is a tall faucet of filtered water in the lobby.) I could go downstairs to check if there was water, or I could go through class without drinking at all, which is only one less sip than what I usually have, anyway. I chose to try water-less. Of course, it wasn't so bad at all! The only time that I found it difficult was about five minutes after class: I was parched then. Since then, whenever I forget my water bottle, I just roll my eyes at myself, and head into class.

Today was the same as that first day with no water. Parched after class, but just fine during it. I don't find that I actually get thirsty during class, but my mouth does feel dry after Pranayama.

If you haven't tried water-less before, or if you drink often during class, try cutting the water down or out. It definitely improves focus, and allows you to concentrate on why you are really there - the yoga. You can drink water any other time, for 22.5 hours each day!