You may have heard that in order to be flexible you need to be properly hydrated. This is true and drinking fluids (specifically H20) is one way to do that, although getting your fluids in a more symbiotic way is always a better way. Fruits and vegetables are the best way to ‘eat your fluids,’ especially the organic ones, to ensure that they aren’t loaded with tons of excess sugar.
Drinking and eating fluids is a necessity of flexibility but it isn’t the whole equation. At some point, fluid intake is only going to mean more frequent visits to the bathroom unless our bodies know what to do with that fluid after it is consumed. We want to make sure the hydration is finding it’s way deep into our connective tissue and muscles. One super simple way to do that is to move around! Science has proven what when we move, we are not only inviting fluids deep into the framework of ourselves but we are also creating organized patterns in that connective tissue for more efficient intake of that fluid.
When you are moving, the body is squeezing out and soaking up these fluids thus allowing it to get better at doing so; practice makes perfect. The most crucial part of the day to do this is in the morning. When we sleep, unless you’re a sleep walker or a very restless sleeper, the body doesn’t move much. No movement means less order (less pattern) in the connective tissue which means an inefficient ability to hydrate. We want to get those cells doing what they were born to do by moving them around. It will re pattern your connective tissue and allow the body to soak up all the proper hydration it needs to carry out the tasks of your every day life. Yoga is such a great way to do this but you may think that you don’t have the time to do so. Don’t worry I have included a helpful “wake-up” video which should only take you about 10 – 15 minutes and the best part, you don’t even have to get out of be to start. Its a great way to get hydration started even if you plan on practicing later on. Enjoy and Namaste!
See you on the mat.
Chris Temple
