Russellg

I have a sensitive constitution which doesn’t tolerate gluten, dairy, coffee or alcohol. Prior to doing Bikram yoga, I would indulge regularly in all of these and go through the consequences which ranged from mild spaced-outness, nausea to migraines. However, since doing this yoga 2-4 times a week for 12 months, I have found that if I indulge in any of these even on a small scale, in class I invariably experience gastric reflux, nausea and weakness, even if it has been days since the indulgence. I therefore now make the choice to indulge very much less often in these things and the results are remarkable. I now no longer crave sugar and I feel much more in control of my body. I’m grateful for the yoga’s effect in increasing my dietary discipline. Now I feel great most of the time. And that is a real plus after years of on and off health issues that were diet related but I found difficult to do anything about.

Hi all,

On the thread of this thread I have a couple of observations I’d like to share with the hope of getting some feedback from others who may have experienced similar or others who may have suggestions/comments.

I’ve been practicing Hot yoga for about 9 months now about 3-4 times a week. On the positive side, I am fitter and stronger than I have been since I was a teenager. I am also happier and more relaxed under stress and feel more “in charge” of my life. I also find I need to sleep less.

On the less positive side, I notice that I often have trouble getting to sleep on the night after the class and my partner complains that I am always so hot at night. My legs are hot and uncomfortable. When I first started Hot yoga I would have night sweats regularly. I’ve also noticed that I sweat so much more profusely in daily life if I am being active than I ever have. I tend to sweat very profusely in class and my heart rate soars most of the class. I am very diligent with my water intake before(2-3 litres) and after class. I often leave class and by the time I get to the car I have a very slight head ache which resolves after drinking about 2 litres of water – which I consume in the hour after class. I assume this is indicating dehydration. I am taking quality electrolyte supplements daily.

I have friends who are Ayurvedic practitioners who are advising me that exercise in artificial heat is not good for my system from their perspective. I am wondering if the symptoms I am experiencing are signs of disharmony. Reading the last post about the symptom picture of an overactive thyroid gland I got a little worried that the hot yoga could be inducing such a condition. Has this ever happened, to anyone’s knowledge.

I love what this yoga is doing to my life – my partner says, “I am not grumpy anymore”. Is the studio I practice in is too hot for me. I guess we all have different thermostats and maybe mine is set higher than others.

Any feedback/suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Russ