drinking water in class and foot cramps

[Guest guest]

hello all-

so I have two somewhat silly questions..

first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption of

concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

form...

also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of the

source...

thank you.

[Guest guest]

hi

two good questions. first the water, different teachers will tell you different

things. first when you practice asana you are trying to build up heat, creating

what is called " an internal fire " , (tapas), the idea here is drinking water

would put the fire out. and yes it does disrupt focus etc. drink plenty of water

before and after practice...

second, cramps are quite common when developing a yoga practice, you are

changing so many inner body parts it seems logical. apparently cramps are due

to lack of magnesium in the body. try eating bannanas or making sure you have a

daily vitamin routine that includes magnesium.

good luck

gayle

 

-

kll876

ashtangayoga

Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:07 PM

ashtanga yoga drinking water in class and foot cramps

 

 

hello all-

so I have two somewhat silly questions..

first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption of

concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

form...

also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of the

source...

thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

If you must drink water; it is best to take a sip or two before or

after your pratice. It is definately best not to drink while your

practice. You are working hard to produce " fire " is what I call it

during your practice and don't want to put that out..

 

 

ashtangayoga , " kll876 " <kspst wrote:

>

> hello all-

> so I have two somewhat silly questions..

> first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption

of

> concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

> form...

> also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

> Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of

the

> source...

> thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

and Potassium....Eat Potassium rich foods, like bananas. When I use to run

marathons, I would even take potssium tablets on a regular basis so that I would

not have foot cramps, and the cramps went away. NEVER DRINK WATER DURING

PRACTICE for the reason Gayle said below, unless you are on medication that

makes you thirsty. In that case, tell the teacher and only swish the water in

your mouth swallowing very little...OM, Mary

 

" gayle@pagespringscellars " <gayle wrote: hi

two good questions. first the water, different teachers will tell you different

things. first when you practice asana you are trying to build up heat, creating

what is called " an internal fire " , (tapas), the idea here is drinking water

would put the fire out. and yes it does disrupt focus etc. drink plenty of water

before and after practice...

second, cramps are quite common when developing a yoga practice, you are

changing so many inner body parts it seems logical. apparently cramps are due to

lack of magnesium in the body. try eating bannanas or making sure you have a

daily vitamin routine that includes magnesium.

good luck

gayle

[Guest guest]

ashtangayoga , " gayle " <gayle wrote:

>

 

 

 

good advice one thing extra, elevate your toes only in parsaritta, it will

distribute your

weight correctly and elminate the cramping...

> hi

> two good questions. first the water, different teachers will tell you

different things. first

when you practice asana you are trying to build up heat, creating what is called

" an

internal fire " , (tapas), the idea here is drinking water would put the fire out.

and yes it

does disrupt focus etc. drink plenty of water before and after practice...

> second, cramps are quite common when developing a yoga practice, you are

changing

so many inner body parts it seems logical. apparently cramps are due to lack of

magnesium in the body. try eating bannanas or making sure you have a daily

vitamin

routine that includes magnesium.

> good luck

> gayle

>

> -

> kll876

> ashtangayoga

> Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:07 PM

> ashtanga yoga drinking water in class and foot cramps

>

>

> hello all-

> so I have two somewhat silly questions..

> first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption of

> concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

> form...

> also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

> Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of the

> source...

> thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Water ? No, unless absolute need for it due to special

circumstances as it subside the heat that one is

trying to create during practise. Then take a sip, no

more or as accordingly advised by the teacher.

Furthermore, it may caused injury.

 

Cramps, may be lack of potassium, insufficient /

inadequate warm ups, imbalances of body which is

trying to adjust or simply tiredness of the body/leg

(then, have a few days rest). Try doing asanas on a

relaxing day and with proper warm ups (like when

sweaty), then do the asana that give you proble to see

what happens.

 

Best wishes,

Jason

 

 

Jason

 

 

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[Guest guest]

My teachers told me that drinking during class was just a distraction

from the real reason that we are in yoga class, become one with

ourselves/God. All of my teachers advised us to stay hydrated before

class then we can focus on yoga during class. Eating citrus fruit,

bananas, drinking emergen-c have all helped my stay hydrated during

class and I usually do bikram/hot yoga

Devon

 

 

ashtangayoga , " kll876 " <kspst wrote:

>

> hello all-

> so I have two somewhat silly questions..

> first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption of

> concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

> form...

> also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

> Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of the

> source...

> thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, drinking will distract one attention as we should

be in meditative state whilst carrying out asanas.

 

Bikram and Ashtanga are two different systems but with

similar objective. In Birkam hot yoga, one has to stay

hydrated as advised by the founder himself due to the

intense external heat reaching 100-110 degrees

Fahrenheit. Whereas in Ashtanga, one is trying create

heat within to purify the system using ujjayi

breathing technique.

 

 

Jason

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Bikram system is not correct as the atmosphere

necessarily has to be comfortable to follow YOGA (any

system. The Founder of Bikram system does not know the

basic philosophy of yoga. He is out there just to fool

people who are unaware of this ancient wonderful

system.

--- jason khoo <jasonkhoobj wrote:

 

> Yes, drinking will distract one attention as we

> should

> be in meditative state whilst carrying out asanas.

>

> Bikram and Ashtanga are two different systems but

> with

> similar objective. In Birkam hot yoga, one has to

> stay

> hydrated as advised by the founder himself due to

> the

> intense external heat reaching 100-110 degrees

> Fahrenheit. Whereas in Ashtanga, one is trying

> create

> heat within to purify the system using ujjayi

> breathing technique.

>

>

> Jason

>

>

>

>

______________________________\

____

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

>

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

>

>

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

i have much compassion for the person who wrote this email. it's very

contradictory. to me, it doesn't matter what reason people use to begin to seek

yoga or how they practice. that is the fundamental practice of yoga. budhha

was not looking for a religion, he was looking for a way to evolve as a human

being. i don't think budhha would say you can't be an enlightened individual

because you are not able to sit in lotus or under a specific tree. the point of

yoga is not how we arrive to evolve, it's that we're trying.

good luck,

gayle

 

-

tapan patnaik

ashtangayoga

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:22 PM

Re: ashtanga yoga Re: drinking water in class and foot cramps

 

 

Bikram system is not correct as the atmosphere

necessarily has to be comfortable to follow YOGA (any

system. The Founder of Bikram system does not know the

basic philosophy of yoga. He is out there just to fool

people who are unaware of this ancient wonderful

system.

--- jason khoo <jasonkhoobj wrote:

 

> Yes, drinking will distract one attention as we

> should

> be in meditative state whilst carrying out asanas.

>

> Bikram and Ashtanga are two different systems but

> with

> similar objective. In Birkam hot yoga, one has to

> stay

> hydrated as advised by the founder himself due to

> the

> intense external heat reaching 100-110 degrees

> Fahrenheit. Whereas in Ashtanga, one is trying

> create

> heat within to purify the system using ujjayi

> breathing technique.

>

>

> Jason

>

>

>

>

________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

>

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

>

>

 

________

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

hi gayle

i agree. all yoga is good, even the one done in a gym surrounded by house music

and the pounding of weights to the floor. lord knows, many of us started our

yoga journey in all kinds of rooms. for some people, bikrams works, and that is

a positive thing.

cheers,

arturo

 

---

Re: drinking water in class and foot cramps

Posted by: " gayle@pagespringscellars " gayle gaylediehl

Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:43 pm (PST)

i have much compassion for the person who wrote this email. it's very

contradictory. to me, it doesn't matter what reason people use to begin to seek

yoga or how they practice. that is the fundamental practice of yoga. budhha was

not looking for a religion, he was looking for a way to evolve as a human being.

i don't think budhha would say you can't be an enlightened individual because

you are not able to sit in lotus or under a specific tree. the point of yoga is

not how we arrive to evolve, it's that we're trying.

good luck,

gayle

 

-

tapan patnaik

ashtangayoga

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:22 PM

Re: ashtanga yoga Re: drinking water in class and foot cramps

 

Bikram system is not correct as the atmosphere

necessarily has to be comfortable to follow YOGA (any

system. The Founder of Bikram system does not know the

basic philosophy of yoga.

[Guest guest]

Tapan,

 

First of all isn't this thread about drinking water during class and

how water will effect an individual's practice??? I wrote about my

experience in my practice to contribute to the question of foot cramps.

 

I have definitely been touched by Bikram yoga and have experienced his

routine as the most effective for me and others close to me. I'm not

saying that his is the best for everyone, but for many it is.

 

Also, where in the ancient yoga scripts does it say that the

atmosphere must be comfortable? What is comfortable defined as anyway?

I agree that yoga is a wonderful system, but seeing that yoga was

created in India which is a hot place, why is do you say that Bikram

doesn't follow the basic philosophy of yoga? Today the BBC reported

that in Mumbai the temperature was 40C/104F, the temperature of a

Bikram yoga class. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0144

 

On what premise do you say that Bikram is out to fool people? He has

made a huge difference in many people's lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ashtangayoga , tapan patnaik <patnaikt wrote:

>

> Bikram system is not correct as the atmosphere

> necessarily has to be comfortable to follow YOGA (any

> system. The Founder of Bikram system does not know the

> basic philosophy of yoga. He is out there just to fool

> people who are unaware of this ancient wonderful

> system.

> --- jason khoo <jasonkhoobj wrote:

>

> > Yes, drinking will distract one attention as we

> > should

> > be in meditative state whilst carrying out asanas.

> >

> > Bikram and Ashtanga are two different systems but

> > with

> > similar objective. In Birkam hot yoga, one has to

> > stay

> > hydrated as advised by the founder himself due to

> > the

> > intense external heat reaching 100-110 degrees

> > Fahrenheit. Whereas in Ashtanga, one is trying

> > create

> > heat within to purify the system using ujjayi

> > breathing technique.

> >

> >

> > Jason

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

______________________________\

____

> > Be a better friend, newshound, and

> > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

> >

> http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

______________________________\

____

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Tapan,

 

May I suggest that for your reference of the

understanding of Yoga please refer to these to good

books like The Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam

by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, Autobiography of

Yogananda (older brother of Bishnu Gnosh who taught

Bikram asanas and also helped him to return to health)

The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar, Yoga Mala by Sri

K Patthabhi Jois, Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar, Yoga

Explained by Mira Mehta and Krishna S Arjunwadkar, A

deeper Dimension of Yoga by Georg Feurstein and if you

would like to go further in Sankrit you may refer to

literature decipher by Krishna S Arjuwadkar (an award

winning professor in Sanskrit and also former member

of the Sanskrit Commission).

 

Bikram may have tried to patent asanas some years ago

but it was overuled by the court. Do you know that his

wonderful system is now being research by NASA for the

usage of their astronauts ? Of course, this system may

not suit everyone but to those who benefited from it

hava been certainly very helpful.

 

May I also suggest that seeking a teacher with enough

sadhana to ensure understanding of yoga.

 

Nameste,

Jason

 

 

 

Jason

 

 

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[Guest guest]

ashtangayoga , " kll876 " <kspst wrote:

>

> hello all-

> so I have two somewhat silly questions..

> first, is it ok to drink water during class, or is that a disruption

of

> concentration and focus? I sometimes feel that that is almost bad

> form...

> also, any ideas to relieve foot cramps during the Prasarita

> Padottanasana series? They've come on recently and I'm not sure of

the

> source...

> thank you.

>

In Prasarita Padottanasana it is very important to press through all

four corners of the feet. If the outer edges of the feet are not

pressed down you will feel pain in the inner foot while you are doing

the posture. Give it a try and you will see the difference. Om.

Peace, Mary

[Guest guest]

Hi all

 

What about all the people who do ashtanga en hot places? For example summer

in the tropics can reach temperatures between 40 ­ 44 degrees. I think the

idea of being comfortable is a strange western obsession which naturally

goes out of the window if you pursue anything in profundity whether it is an

intellectual, spiritual or physical quest or all of these things combined.

Like the idea that it is abnormal to feel pain (reach for the aspirin

quick!) which is taken to such lengths that in Rio de Janeiro, where most of

the population can claim some African or indigenous descent, natural

childbirth is a rarity. Why feel pain if you can take an anaesthetic & have

surgery? The idea of drinking water in the middle of a yoga sequence is

reminiscent of kids in school desperate for some excuse to get out of the

class. Surely it's not so hard to concentrate that long?

 

Vik

[Guest guest]

" that in Rio de Janeiro, where most of

the population can claim some African or indigenous descent, natural

childbirth is a rarity. "

 

 

What???????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria Birkbeck <vik

ashtangayoga

Friday, February 29, 2008 6:51:31 PM

Re: ashtanga yoga Re: drinking water in class and foot cramps

 

Hi all

 

What about all the people who do ashtanga en hot places? For example summer

in the tropics can reach temperatures between 40 ­ 44 degrees. I think the

idea of being comfortable is a strange western obsession which naturally

goes out of the window if you pursue anything in profundity whether it is an

intellectual, spiritual or physical quest or all of these things combined.

Like the idea that it is abnormal to feel pain (reach for the aspirin

quick!) which is taken to such lengths that in Rio de Janeiro, where most of

the population can claim some African or indigenous descent, natural

childbirth is a rarity. Why feel pain if you can take an anaesthetic & have

surgery? The idea of drinking water in the middle of a yoga sequence is

reminiscent of kids in school desperate for some excuse to get out of the

class. Surely it's not so hard to concentrate that long?

 

Vik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

I have asked my teacher and she told me that when you drink, you lose your focus

during some time, but its better to drink if you really need to.

I think accepting pain is a kind of self-violence (ahisma) when you can avoid

it.

Acceptance is good when you cannot avoid the pain, but when you can, I think

it becomes stupid not to stop it (just my opinion)

I prefer drinking rather than feeling bad, an excessive thirst makes me lose

my focus anyway.

[Guest guest]

I can't understand how is it possible to drink during yoga practice?

Water in stomach dramatically reduces your ability to perform poses.

[Guest guest]

Wow- I never thought my simple question would spark

such intense and far-flung debate.

In any case, thanks for the input- while I wasn't

looking for a pass to drink water so as to avoid

class, nor was I drinking enough to fill my stomach

and therefore not be able to perform- I think I

received my answer.

I also got a few laughs as well...

I appreciate all who chimed in.

 

--- Bacon Leg <katerinebrasil wrote:

 

> " that in Rio de Janeiro, where most of

> the population can claim some African or indigenous

> descent, natural

> childbirth is a rarity. "

>

>

> What???????

>

 

> Victoria Birkbeck <vik

> ashtangayoga

> Friday, February 29, 2008 6:51:31 PM

> Re: ashtanga yoga Re: drinking water in

> class and foot cramps

>

> Hi all

>

> What about all the people who do ashtanga en hot

> places? For example summer

> in the tropics can reach temperatures between 40 ­

> 44 degrees. I think the

> idea of being comfortable is a strange western

> obsession which naturally

> goes out of the window if you pursue anything in

> profundity whether it is an

> intellectual, spiritual or physical quest or all of

> these things combined.

> Like the idea that it is abnormal to feel pain

> (reach for the aspirin

> quick!) which is taken to such lengths that in Rio

> de Janeiro, where most of

> the population can claim some African or indigenous

> descent, natural

> childbirth is a rarity. Why feel pain if you can

> take an anaesthetic & have

> surgery? The idea of drinking water in the middle of

> a yoga sequence is

> reminiscent of kids in school desperate for some

> excuse to get out of the

> class. Surely it's not so hard to concentrate that

> long?

>

> Vik

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________\

____

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

>

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

your body is designed to tell you that you are dehydrated...one symptom is

feeling thrisy, by the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated...if you

are feeling thirsty during the two hour yoga class you have already been harming

yourself.

 

-

Barbara Aubert

ashtangayoga

Saturday, March 01, 2008 1:46 AM

Re: ashtanga yoga Re: drinking water in class and foot cramps

 

 

I have asked my teacher and she told me that when you drink, you lose your

focus during some time, but its better to drink if you really need to.

I think accepting pain is a kind of self-violence (ahisma) when you can avoid

it.

Acceptance is good when you cannot avoid the pain, but when you can, I think

it becomes stupid not to stop it (just my opinion)

I prefer drinking rather than feeling bad, an excessive thirst makes me lose

my focus anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

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

question!

[Guest guest]

ashtangayoga , keri spiliopoulos <kspst wrote:

>

> Wow- I never thought my simple question would spark

> such intense and far-flung debate.

> In any case, thanks for the input- while I wasn't

> looking for a pass to drink water so as to avoid

> class, nor was I drinking enough to fill my stomach

> and therefore not be able to perform- I think I

> received my answer.

> I also got a few laughs as well...

> I appreciate all who chimed in.

 

I agree there has been widely varied views on drinking water in class

on this site--however there is no difference of opinion among

Ashtanga practioners who follow the teaching of our teacher in Mysore

(Pattabi Jois). I know of no one who has studied under the guru or his

authorized teachers who would recommend drinking water during

practice.......ed

[Guest guest]

Ok Ok ... It was a bit far removed. It was just that the questions made me

think of other things. To me the fact that childbirth has become a medical

problem to be resolved by surgery is symbolic of how we are all increasingly

removed from a natural existence. Maybe the whole idea of a natural

existence is just another illusion. Last year I saw two young women

discussing the best age for corrective breast surgery in the bathroom of a

yoga centre. Maybe I'm just trying to swim against the tide.

 

I do also agree that accepting avoidable pain is a form of self-violence.

The problem as I see it is that mostly we are conditioned into believing

that there is an instant solution to every problem. Pain can also be part of

a learning process. Most of the people I know who practice ashtanga

experience pain. I don't know anyone whose body magically glides into more &

more intricate poses. Maybe if you start practicing at the age of eight and

live in a house with no chairs? So do you just stop when it hurts or do you

try & go a little bit further each time? Do you say, yes, I have that

possibility somewhere in the depths of my being, or do you say, this where I

stop?

 

Probably none of this has anything to do with drinking water & foot cramps.

Or maybe it's all related. With foot cramps it often helps if you just relax

& flex the foot for a moment & then go back to the pose.

 

Om shanti!

 

Vik

[Guest guest]

Interesting indeed, lol. This demonstrates individual

perceptions of the subject matter over a short period

of time, let alone how yoga has evolved or translated

over the years from one individual to another.

 

Whatever one perceives, every individual takes its own

unique path to achieve the state of yoga no matter

what path or tradition one may practise.

 

 

Jason

 

 

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