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Twists are an excellent part of your practice, and if you attended my classes over the last couple of days, you may have noticed I incorporated lots of twisting in both standing and sitting asanas.

Twists bring fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the organs and bowel. They help to promote healthy functioning, digestion and elimination. Also releasing a lot of tension from the small muscles around the spine.

The muscles that surround the spine can become stiff overtime. Slumping over a computer at the office, slouching behind the steering wheel, sitting in chairs that offer poor back support and standing with our shoulders drooping forward are all things most of us do on a daily basis. All of these habits can lead to back pain. Twists stretch and strengthen the back muscles, improve your posture which can provide serious relief from any back pain caused by everyday life.

Twisting motions can be more difficult for some than others. But the more you practice you will gradually be able to increase your range of motion and the depth of your twists. Ensure with each twist you use your inhale to lengthen and elongate your spine; a slumped-over posture significantly limits spinal rotation. Use your exhale to twist and rotate your spine, wringing yourself out like a sponge.

Another great benefit from twisting poses is they tend to settle you if you are feeling restless or agitated. So next time you get wound up by life, spiral yourself into a long twist, then, as your body uncoils, feel your mind unwind.

Happy twisting Yogis

Most people will spend some of their days dehydrated, without even realising it. You lose water when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe.

Your body is composed of roughly 60% water. That means when we are dehydrated we are affecting the performance of the majority of our body. Being just 2% dehydrated can start to hinder your body’s ability to perform. It can slow the activity of enzymes in the body, including ones responsible for the production of energy. Every cell in your body needs water to function – your body uses water to maintain temperature, transport nutrients throughout the body, remove waste from the body, and even to help lubricate joints.

Symptoms of dehydration include:
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue

In addition to water, your body loses electrolytes when it sweats. Your body’s cells use electrolytes to carry electrical impulses that help your cells communicate with each other. Drinking coconut water is an excellent way to replenish electrolytes.

HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE! Make this your mantra

>If you are someone that finds it hard to drink a lot of water, try adding lemon or cucumber slices, raspberries or mint to your water for extra flavour to drink throughout the day.

>When choosing tea, seek an option with little or no caffeine as caffeine increases risk of dehydration.

>Fruits are a source of water – watermelon, honeydew or oranges are a nutritious and enjoyable way to hydrate yourself.

>Vegetables such as celery, cucumbers, capsicum, tomatoes and lettuce are nutrient rich and provide water to your body.

Hydrated Yogis = Happy Yogis & Happy bodies