You’ve just had an amazing hot yoga class and you sweat more than you thought was possible. You are feeling good because the toxins have left your body and maybe were able to grab your big toes with your peace fingers or fly into crow or kick up into handstand. With this combination of feeling renewed, as well as exhausted, we sometimes forget about replenishing the electrolytes we lost during class. Here are a few ways you can keep your body functioning at its best and achieve maximum health benefits:

Drink. Dehydration can cause muscle cramps, headaches and lethargy. Consider refueling with coconut water, adding a packet of Emergen-C to your water, or even just adding a pinch of sugar and salt with some fresh squeezed citrus to your water bottle instead of just water. The added minerals can replenish the electrolytes lost better than water alone.

Try to avoid drinking coffee, caffeinated tea or alcohol after a hot class. These drinks will actually dehydrate the body further.

Eat. Since you probably avoided eating before coming to class or maybe just grabbed a small snack, your stomach is rumbling by the time you get out of class. Foods high in magnesium, potassium and calcium are ideal to help aid in electrolyte replenishment and rehydration. Great sources of these minerals can be found in avocadoes, spinach, kale, cantaloupe, almonds, cashews, lentils, and bananas.

Ultimately, listen to your body and get it the proper nutrition it needs. Prepping for your next hot class starts at the end of the previous one. Food is fuel for your body, so giving it the very best nutrition can keep it operating at maximum performance for your day-to-day activities and yoga practice.

Here is some more great advice on what to do post yoga practice:

http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/post-hot-class-game-plan/

http://fullcircle.sg/yoga-5-hot-yoga-aftercare-tips/

http://nabcommunities.com/2012/10/01/nourish-hot-yoga-eating-for-success/