BE INSPIRED. ANTOINE THOMAS - HOT YOGA AND HYDRATION: REVITALIZE YOUR BODY AND MIND WITH ALKA12™
Yoga can be traced back to ancient India. A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, which includes breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation. Although research is limited, studies suggest it is safe for most people and may have multiple benefits, including easing chronic low-back pain and improving some heart disease risk factors. But even less is known about hot yoga, a more recent form of the mind-body practice.
Hot yoga is performed in a room heated to between 27 degrees and 40 degrees Celsius and may be more physically rigorous than regular yoga. Making practitioners susceptible to dehydration and muscle injuries, said Casey Mace, an assistant professor of public health at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. "People may assume the warnings and benefits and possible risks are the same for all types of yoga, and that's simply not true," Mace said. Her research found that hot yoga practitioners reported benefits like greater flexibility and improvements in mood, fitness and stamina, but that more than half had experienced dizziness, light-headedness, nausea or dehydration. "There may be a misconception that these feelings are normal, but they're not," she said. "If people are feeling dizzy or have headaches or feel weak or fatigued, it may be related to fluid loss. They should take a break, cool down and get hydrated. Proper hydration is key."
Muscle and joint injuries may be more common with hot yoga because the heat makes people feel more limber than they actually are, and they may overdo it, but data on injuries is also limited, said Carol Ewing Garber, a professor of movement science and kinesiology at Teachers College, Columbia University, and past president of American College of Sports Medicine. Research on one form of hot yoga, Bikram yoga, suggests it improves balance, lower body strength and range of motion for both the upper and lower body, and might even help improve arterial stiffness and metabolic measures like glucose tolerance and cholesterol levels, as well as bone density and perceived stress.
When I started my first Hot Yoga Practice at Modo Yoga, It reminded me of trail running in Hong Kong where the weather is 35ºC (95ºF) and 80% humidity for 6 month of the year, therefore I applied the same hydration process, says Antoine Thomas, Ultra TrailRunner & Founder at ALKA12 Sport Company. Attending hot yoga regularly and intensively, requires proper hydration, as our body quickly gets depleted of basic minerals like magnesium and others electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium. Practicing hot yoga is very physical and like a long run in summer times, so I highly recommend to include electrolytes in your water.
Hydrate yourself on pre-workout. Enter the hot yoga studio already properly hydrated. It’s simply too hard to do it once you’re already in the room, as it takes your body about 45 minutes to process water. Hydration before yoga is essential to avoiding stiffness and cramping. Ideally, the bottle you bring during practice will simply be for refreshment.
Hydrate yourself on post-workout . Make sure that you hydrate after class. Many of us lead busy lives and are running off to the next thing after class. Nutritionists recommend drinking at least 20 ounces of water after class to replace the fluids you burned off during class. Adding electrolytes would be best. After class or a long run, I follow my daily routine and whereas I do revitalise my body and mind by applying ALKA12™ Magnesium Gel. It is the best moment to apply, because the body is warm, your skin is soft and pores are fully open due to the heat and sweat. Therefore the magnesium ions will be absorbed by your skin faster and within 10-15min. If you apply the Magnesium lotion in morning, you will receive a boost of energy. At night, you will experience a great recovery and deep sleep. Either way your body would be completly remineralized, ready and rehydrated for your next yoga practice. If you woudl like to experience an extra boost of wellness, apply the ALKA12™ Pure Oil Massage at night after your magnesium therapy session.
ALKA12™ would helps you to maintain a proper muscle tissue oxygenation, feeding muscles with energy, eases pain, reduces cramps and joint inflammation while enhancing speed recovery from athletic activities. If you have low blood pressure, sweating profusely, dizziness or headaches, weakness, muscle cramps, you must experience a Magnesium Deficiency , high dehydration or early signs of heat illness. ALKA12™ formula includes 100% natural, pure and high concentrate magnesium chloride, blended with other electolytes as potassium, sodium, calcium and then bio-aromatherapy. A daily ritual for a healthier you.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral of the human body and is the most essential mineral in sports nutrition. Active people and Athletes deplete their magnesium reserve at a speed, and everyone must refuel because this mineral has become a hard-to-find in our diet. The human body needs at least 450mg of magnesium per day for proper wellness and body functionality. You’ll need much more if you are super active and athletic. One hundred years ago, we could easily obtain 500mg of magnesium from our diet, but today and due to our modern living, we are lucky to get 100mg. Supplementation is inevitable and magnesium chloride is best absorb by the skin. Topical magnesium is the optimum way to revitalize and replenish cellular levels in our body says Dr. Richard Danel, President of The Magnesium Health Institute. (Importance of Magnesium)
Another great tip from Dr Shveta Chhoker, Ayurvedic consultant at Shakti Healing Circle. Ayurveda is an ancient holistic practice that focuses on the balance between body, mind and spirit to achieve optimal wellness.”Keep hydrated, of course, but avoid sparkling water and soft drinks. They may feel cold but do in fact heat the body,” says Dr Shveta. Maintaining a comfortable temperature starts with what we consume. Dr Shveta suggests coconut water as an excellent alternative to fizzy drinks, as it not only works to hydrate, but also replaces minerals lost through sweat. Another simple swap? “A squeezed lemon in water with some mint is also ideal. The lemon delivers vitamin C and keeps us nourished, while the mint is cooling and leaves us replenished for longer. Dr Shveta also advises caution when it comes to tempting summer barbecues. “Avoid or cut down on meat such as beef and lamb, as they heat the body.” Instead, she recommends filling your plate with healthier sides. “Eat more water-based leafy vegetables such as lettuce, and more fruit and vegetables in general during the hot summer months.” And for those who crave a sweet treat? “Watermelon is ideal in the summer heat, either taken as it comes, or in a smoothie.
Enjoy your practice and being hydrated will give you a more enjoyable and successful class.