The heat is too much for my knee health

Ok, I’ll jump in. At my studio, it is typically 105 degrees and 40% humidity. I can have some pretty good classes in those conditions but it is challenging. Once in a while, the conditions are more extreme….heat is higher or humidity is higher, or both. I end up having to sit out postures and I don’t feel like I’m really getting the benefits from the class that I want. In fact, I’ve experienced what seems like an inflammatory reaction in those classes (some joint pain). In one class, I checked it at the end and it was 108 and 60% humidity. Put that info into an internet site to find a heat index of 162! Ok, no wonder I felt so bad!

Sometimes this has to do with the outside conditions (it was very humid outside that day, for example), and you can’t just lower the temperature, because that increases the relative humidity. I do mention it to the instructors, some are better at controlling the conditions than others.

Lets just say that if all my classes were like that, I’d stop going. I just don’t see the point. I already feel at my threshold, so pushing the conditions to that level is just too much for me, though some folks can do it without obvious problem.

On the other hand, I’ve been in a few classes where it was “cooler” (like 101) and the humidity was very low (problem with equipment). I didn’t like that class as much either, and it seemed like my throat was raw from breathing less humid air.

Just my experience/opinion. I know I’ll never want to go to a studio where it is a competition to see how hot/humid they can make it.

I guess I’m the lone voice of dissent. When my class is less than the suggested 105, I feel like the class is a total waste of time and that I would have been better off going for a nice stroll to the local ice cream shop.

Hi Kenn, Peter and Kristin

That’s hilarious, Kenn! Ice cream versus yoga! 😆

I don’t think you’re the voice of dissent. There is something about the conditions that these people are experiencing. I think we cannot assume that everyone has the same conditions from studio to studio. Your comfort in what you believe is 105 degrees is still a perception. Sure, there is this MYTH that a particular person said that the temp must be 105F and 40% humidity. That person actually never said that. But it’s been taken on as gospel. Unfortunately many make sure their systems start class at those levels (or something approximate) but then don’t take into account rising humidity AND temperature of the room due to many hot bodies exercising. The concomitant rise of both temp and moisture can make for dangerous and even conditions that can be risky and even life-threatening to some.

So I believe that the problem is created by the conditions being uncontrolled with the heat/moisture index too high making the body behave in a dysfunctional way.

Many people are told that the temperature is at a certain level. When pushed to confirm temp levels, some studios can be very cagey. They cover temperature gauges, they tape them up or conceal them even in another room, or if it is visible one discovers that the thermostats are placed in odd places so that the temp shown is not an accurate reading.

When practitioners say they like or dislike a temperature they are actually saying “I like how it feels when the temperature feels hot AND I sweat a certain amount”. That is in itself a moveable beast. High temps and low humidity will feel horrid to most. You could practise in 115F with 10% humidity and HATE it. You may actually report to me that it was not really that hot. On the flipside you could practise in 95F with 75% humidity and think it’s the bees knees.

Peter, is the intermediate class the same hot yoga class (bikram) at the 101 or a different set of poses?

As for “it’s good to be in pain and rebuild your knees”. What a belief system to have that one MUST be in pain to rebuild the knees or anything. I am happy you made the distinction between regular muscle pain and joint pain. While you COULD feel discomfort or ‘pain’ it is not necessary. Unfortunately that approach could and does get people into trouble. There are plenty of success stories. The people who are damaged don’t come back to the hot room. Of course you’re only going to hear the great stories. The other people have probably given up never to be heard of again!

Let me know about the type of yoga you’re able to do in what you say is intermediate room.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Peter

Can you tell me next time you practice and your knees hurt, which series you were practising and which poses you felt the problem? Some of this issue could be compounded with alignment straying from optimum. There’s always more to a problem than meets the forum page, I can assure you

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂