Strong headache after the class!

Ten years ago, when I did my first Bikram class, I developed a migraine after class. But my body loved it – other than my head!

What I didn’t know before I went to class is I should have ingested at least 2 litres of water, one with electrolytes, and finished up all that water one hour before class started (so it had time to be absorbed). I had no clue!

I have been drinking sufficient water and electrolytes ever since and have not had another headache! Although one morning recently I thought I could get away with having two cups of coffee and a bowl of granola – no water at all – two hours before class and I had the worst class EVER! Yikes! Live and learn. Even experienced yoginis CANNOT get away with just having coffee before class. Try it and weep!

Yes, your first week will be very hot for you! It’s to be expected. Don’t wear too many clothes. Do you remember that many of the people there were wearing very small shorts and bra tops? Well, the girls anyway. That’s what you need. No t-shirts or long pants. Get that water into you and don’t try too hard. That too will make you overheat. Just take it easy next time you go. But do go back – it is SO worth it, if you can make it through the first couple of weeks, hopefully you’ll love it! Most of us here do, that’s why we’re here!

Hi Tasha

Thanks Bonnie for your thoughts and advice! 😉 It’s worth working on the really obvious and often neglected parts of practice.

Having a headache can be a pain (that was a terrible pun but you know what I mean). It’s interesting that after practising for a while, headaches can for most people become a thing of the past.

It’s got something to do with the yoga asana themselves, something seems to shift. I stop short of saying it’s toxins! But certainly you are opening up your circulation and reinvigorating and re-accessing areas in your body which may have been stagnant that even lots of regular exercise cannot access.

I do know that for myself, in the past when I have had breaks from yoga, I have experienced headaches with increasing frequency the longer I was away. And I have felt them come on in class too. For me it became a sign that I was not doing enough yoga.

So perhaps re-frame it in your mind as something useful!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Headaches are also a symptom of heat related injuries (heat exhaustion, heat stroke, etc.) I’d recommend reviewing your hydration habits – not only before a class, but over several days.