The Hot Yoga Doctor – Free Bikram and Hot Yoga Resources › Hot Yoga Doctor Forum › Injuries, Restrictions, Ailments, Pose Modifications › Knees, legs and ankles › Calves Cramping
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I started doing Bikram about 6 weeks ago and practice 6 days a week and a couple of weeks ago there were a few days that I did doubles.
A few days ago, my calves started cramping up during the belly down series. The first time it happened was during the second class, of the first, back-to-back, I have done. I made sure that I hydrated well (including electrolyte supplements) all day and that I ate foods that would support me. I also drank an Emergen-C, VitaCoco, and water during the half hour break during the classes. I thought that maybe I hadn’t done a good enough job at hydrating. But, since then, I have been getting these charlie horses and I know it’s not dehydration, so, what could it be? I try to work through it, but won’t push myself to the point of injury. Could it be muscles growing in a new way? I have practice hatha for years though so that would seem odd.
Thanks for any help!
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Hi Jessika
Thanks Wendy! Most useful info. 😉
Jessika it’s worthwhile knowing what kind of salt you take or if you avoid salt.
Cramping is definitely aided greatly by taking electrolytes. I really love using sea salt as a regular supplement for my food and even in my water. If you find you are low in Magnesium (and you should really find these things out) then taking more than sea salt may be indicated at least in the short term.
Magnesium citrate (found in Natural Calm or other supplements) is more readily absorbed than magnesium oxide in sea salt. If you’re not deficient, I wonder if just taking sea salt will be sufficient. I guess muscle pain and cramping would be the indicator.
Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂I also have problems with my calves cramping from time to time. I’m new to yoga though, so luckily I haven’t had them cramp during any poses yet. Rather, mine tend to cramp in my sleep, and when I talked to my doctor about it, she actually recommended I start eating a banana everyday to increase my potassium intake. Maybe that would help you, too. =)
I use sea salt as a supplement and today I picked up some Natural Calm at Whole Foods – I hope it helps! Thanks for the guidance.
Cool Jessica. Let us know if the Natural Calm works for you. The Organic Raspberry/ Lemon is so YUM! FYI- It is also a BEST SELLING supplement on http://www.rawfoodworld website.
Hi Jessika,
Any updates since you started taking the Calm Plus Calcium? I hope it was the Calm Plus Calcium that you purchased and not just the Calm. (Not that Calm isn’t beneficial), I use both but for cramping specifically, Calm plus calcium is what was recommended.
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