hot yoga for injuries

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cdcarter26
Participant

February 14, 2012 at 7:40 pm

Post count: 3

#2272

I just have some questions about hot yoga in general. I have hip and back problems and was wondering if hot yoga would benefit me. I am not looking to lose weight but I would like to strengthen my back and hips and loosin the muscles around them. Thanks for the reply in advance!

kfi2000
Participant

February 15, 2012 at 1:16 am

Post count: 108

#9300

I’m sure you will get better responses from Gabrielle and others, but I just thought I’d comment. Don’t know the extent of your hip and back issues, but it was hip pain that brought me into this yoga. The combination of heat and postures really helped, and I have zero hip pain now. If I skip a week for some reason, it starts to come back (I’m fairly certain mine is caused by the endless hours I sit at a computer).

The spine strengthening series will definitely help strengthen your back. Triangle really helped open up my hips….and then build the supporting muscles. But its the entire series in the heat that works magic.

Good luck!

-Kristin

cdcarter26
Participant

February 15, 2012 at 5:10 pm

Post count: 3

#9308

Thanks for the response. My hip and back problems are from the military. Mostly overuse injuries from hiking with a heavy pack. I fractured my hip because of the weight I was carrying ( at the time I was 19 and about 85 pounds 4″10). I got tendinitus in the muscles around my hip from overcompensating.I went to physical therapy when I was in the military, they recommended lots of stretching,did electro therapy and I got better and didn’t have problems until I got out. Now (two years after the corps), I am having problems again. I think it is because I am in a cushy chair all day and my muscles are soft. I haven’t exercised in a while and I am starting over again. Weightlifting and moving recently have put my back into spasms and I thought that maybe doing something like bickram yoga would strengthen the muscles without straining them again.

Andrea.*F.
Participant

February 19, 2012 at 1:17 am

Post count: 78

#9322

Hello Crystal,

I’m a hot yoga teacher, trained by Gabrielle, I hope it’s ok with you if I reply to your post 🙂

Have you actually taken a class yet? If yes, which poses did you find challenging?

In answer to your original question, yes, hot yoga can help to strengthen, build and stretch muscles.

Here is something important I would like to point out: in some studios you might hear people say things such as: ‘Yoga will fix it, just keep practising’. This is a very vague and dangerous statement. Even though yoga can help the body to heal some injuries and fix certain conditions, it will not fix everything! Wonderful as yoga is, you have to be careful and might have to modify some of the poses, especially if you have injured your body in the past.

My suggestion is this: take a few class at a studio (if you haven’t already). Be aware of your body’s needs. Listen to it! Don’t do poses or don’t go very deep into poses if you feel that cause you pain. Practising in heat is very beneficial because it helps the body to loosen up. For that reason though, there is a tendency to go beyond the body’s comfort zone. So just bare in mind that you are there to challenge and not to injure yourself.

Another suggestion is to do your own research on this website. Gabrielle has very powerful tips for practising safely. I actually think that reading her manual, the Hot Yoga MasterClass would greatly benefit you! You can read more about it here: Hot Yoga Master Class!

After familiarizing yourself with the poses come back and tell us about your experience! If you need a personalized, precise advice, just let us know! We will be happy to help you! 🙂

Enjoy your practice and the rest of your weekend!

Namaste,

Andrea

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

February 19, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Post count: 3048

#9341

Hi Crystal

Thanks for your questions. Do you happen to receive my email newsletters? There is a particular series about sitting and in particular active sitting. Once you do that properly many postural issues disappear and you naturally will strengthen your core and back.

Perhaps let me know if you have received it or not

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

cdcarter26
Participant

February 23, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Post count: 3

#9370

So, I went to my first bikram yoga class on Saturday and it was great. I was sore after but it was subtle and my back did not feel strained at all. The instructor Jim was very understanding and modified the poses for me. He was also in the military and is disabled but yoga has healed him he says. He told me that I will be able to strengthen my back and hips and will eventually be able to get into all the poses. I can’t wait to start going regularly. I will keep everyone posted on my progress and if the classes are helping. Thanks!

kfi2000
Participant

February 23, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Post count: 108

#9371

That’s fantastic to hear! It sounds like you found a good place with an understanding instructor to guide you through this. :cheese:

-Kristin
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