Question on light-headed episode

Hello Wes

That must have been so worrying for you.

Lots of things it could be:

>> A one-off experience (it does happen)
>> Precursor to heat exhaustion. It really could have been too hot in there.
>> The numbness I would want to know more about. Is it still happening? Did you feel tingling or numbness anywhere else? Perhaps it’s a mineral, electrolyte, vitamin or other deficiency. Worth checking out for sure. In fact, do it regardless because it’s good to have a base point to work from. When you do your full blood test also check on your vitamin d levels with a 25 hydroxy test.
>> A stressful period in your life. Something going on? Probably not the answer.
The likely answer:
>> The hyperventilation could have kicked off the numbness. Your breathing could have been very deep – and for the most part that’s good. But hyperventilation is not too much oxygen it’s the lowered levels of carbon dioxide that lowers your pH in your circulatory system and that kicks off a chain of events which can stop the oxygen from being delivered effectively (in the right concentration). It can set up a situation where your blood vessels are constricted. This means less oxygen to the brain: Lightheadedness and other systemic effects (including numbness).

You may not remember whether you were breathing more deeply than normal but you did mention you were working very hard.

So the good news is that you can perhaps go to class and then just focus on a continuous fluid breath rather than the deepest breath you can create. See how that goes. If that works then you know that the way is a little clearer to deepen your breath. Just don’t FORCE your breath or your practice. 😉

As I mention above, it does pay to investigate your blood.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Wes

I am glad your feelings of crisis left you quite quickly. You may not have been hyperventilating in that obvious way until you left the room but I still believe your exertion led to a manner of breathing that set up the whole scenario. Check out the web for the effects of breathing on the acid/base balance. Look at respiratory alkalosis for example as well as hyperventilation. The science of how the body’s pH can change with the breath is astounding.

Adrenalin? Well, it could be if you were feeling panic all of a sudden maybe kicked off by the crash in your sugar levels (due to eating the wrong stuff before yoga? 😉 ). I would tend to think otherwise especially as you are a frequent regular practicing yogi!

Your body freaking? Yes! See above about breathing. You were having a “tough practice”. This is usually reflected by changes in breath. Believe me stranger things have happened.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂