Working at Yoga Garden SF’s front desk, I’m always learning new things about my practice. Did you know you’re not supposed to take water during class? I was asking yoga instructor Danae Robinett to explain why that should be. She talked about building an inner fire (agni, clarifies Danae) during practice, and how drinking water is counter-productive to that aim. And really, she said, it’s often an excuse to check-out during your practice. I realized I’m guilty of exactly that. Often, I’m not taking a drink because I’m thirsty, but because a pose is too challenging, or a feeling (physical or mental) too uncomfortable. The ritual of opening the bottle, taking a sip, changing my breathing to accommodate it- it gives me 30 seconds to tune out of my practice. (I think I do the same thing when my hair comes loose and I re-tie it.)
So what do you think? Ever catch yourself doing this? Do you think not taking water in class is a good exercise of the same kind of discipline we apply to our practice?