Fiffi

RE: Camel Pose & backbends
Just this week I expressed to my yoga instructors how much I love Camel pose—it might well be my favorite. I realized that when it was incorporated into class 2 days in a row [hot Vinyasa flow] that I was the only person in one class to ‘enjoy’ the full expression, the next day I was one of only two. I too have noticed nausea and a feeling of ‘faint-ness[??] when I very first started [8 months ago] and if I have not done the pose in a while. What I noticed is that the nausea seems to actually ‘originate’ from both femoral arteries—the largest in our bodies, closest to the surface @ the bend where the top of our leg meets the hip—just under the hip bones on top [ventral side]. I intuitively feel that it has to do w/the restriction of that blood flow source while pressing back—not unlike the tourniquet effect that some poses have [ex: half pigeon].
Strangely, I have come to embrace that sensation. I have also found that if I push my hips more forward that it alleviates that sensation AND BREATHE-so I usually experience the nausea as I am entering into the pose-before I have fully settled in—thus the alleviation when I press my hips more forward and drop my my head back.
Gabrielle—any theories as to why I LOVE backbends so much??? I’ve been a competitive swimmer most of my life [but not for the last 8 years or so—I’m 51] and not ever a gymnastic type-but did practice ballet for 11 years growing up.
Just wonderin!
Thank you for the backbend email today—I loved it!
Stefani in Dallas, Texas

Thank you one & all for your input/feedback!!! I posted initially back in early March [early onset/completion ‘M’ @ age 45-now 51]. I’ve been ‘yoga hopping’ since I began my practice @ the very end of January 2010. Bikram was my second stop for an intro month and am now @ my 5th studio—approx. 25 lbs lighter! The only other hot/warm studio was a ‘Baptiste’ Vinyasa Flow @ 95°—no hot flashes, in fact, none since I moved on from Bikram. I am not participating in any hormone replacement therapy-especially traditional medicine-based-out of fear of side effects, Rx’s etc…but will print out the amazing info that has been amassed thru this line of communication and plan to investigate the ‘cream’ & compounding pharmacies-more in-depth. I plan to re-visit the Bikram studio in August or September and will share my experience/results. If I re-experience hot flashes, I’m planning to put the Bikram peeps on the spot and ask that they investigate. If the hot flashes re-emerge while participating in the ‘hot’ yoga which was literally burning off my weight, then I will know for certain that it is directly linked.
Thank all you groovi women for sharing your input & information w/me!!!
Have the very best day you possibly can!
Stefani [Fiffi] in Big D [Dallas, Texas]

Re: hot flashes/night sweats
I spent a bundle on a naturopath last year-so my supplements should be in line in terms of vitamin & mineral balances so instinctively I feel it is directly connected to the hot yoga. Although now I’m really curious since the person w/low body fat is experiencing the same. I am going to make a pilgrimage to my health food store guru & ask specific questions pertaining to this, as well as another yogi—I’ll report back! Whatever the outcome, I am completely committed to my hot yoga for the benefits are vastly outweighing [all puns intended] the hot flashes/night sweats—I feel like a b’zillion bucks and I am on workout # 35 on a near-daily basis! I am just blown away @ how much cellulite has just disappeared!
Happy Sweating!