So you're wondering "can I do pranayama after drinking water"?
The answer to this question can be found in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This text is sacred scripture for all yogis, and it can help us find the answer to our question about pranayama after drinking water. The text states that "after having drunk water one should not practise any form of yoga."
But why can't you perform pranayama or breathing exercises directly after drinking water? First, we need to understand what pranayama is and how it affects the body.
What is pranayama?
Pranayama can be defined as the regulation of breath, and it is often considered to be one of the six limbs of yoga. This form does not only include breathing exercises but can also consist of meditation or other methods that help you focus on your breathing patterns.
See our article on Pranayama for Anxiety and Depression.
Why can't you practice pranayama after drinking water?
Since pranayama can be done to either relax or focus, you can't do it when your stomach is full because this can make the breathing exercises more difficult to perform. This can also affect your body in general as well since drinking water can lead to bloating and burping which will prevent you from focusing on meditating properly.
You need a large amount of air that enters into the lungs for practising different types of breathing patterns so if there isn't enough space then it can cause problems with trying to breathe normally.
What about after eating?
You shouldn't practice pranayama right after eating food either even though many people may think otherwise but instead, they should wait at least one hour before doing any form of breathwork.
If you can't wait, then go for a short walk so that your stomach can settle down and be less bloated.
How long should you wait to do pranayama after drinking water?
Ideally, pranayama should be practised on an empty stomach. You should do pranayama at least 30 minutes after consuming water. I recommend drinking your water as soon as you get up, followed by a bowel movement and a shower to prepare for yoga.
If it's a particularly hot day, drink half a cup of water before beginning pranayama in the heat.
