Anyone ever have something like a heat-induced panic attack? Yesterday, after a challenging but rewarding standing series, I lay down for savasana and then my mind really did a number on me in pavana muktasana, or wind-removing pose. I started thinking it was too hot to breathe, like I couldn’t get enough air, like I was suffocating. Concentrating on slowing my breath made it worse — I couldn’t. I don’t even remember how I talked myself down, but it was scary. The rest of class was not pleasant, but I made it without bolting from the room. I had to drastically scale back my effort, though.
Just so you know, the humidity in my New Orleans studio is not always controlled, and it can get very cloying in there. Also, the temperature seems to vary from class to class, though not as much as the humidity, and yesterday’s class was especially hot. That said, no one else seemed to be suffering like I was, which makes me think it was mental rather than physical.
Does anyone have any very specific techniques you use to grab the reins when your mind starts to spin out?
Thanks!
Kelly
