Shona

I also agree about higher humidity contributing to a more “challenging” session in the hot room. Our summer is exceptionally humid, and I find that I do acclimatise to it (and even enjoy the challenge). We are in the middle of winter which is generally a lot dryer, however it was really humid on Monday night – I was totally lacking strength and lift in the floor series, my breathing was more difficult to regulate, I thought my heart was going to jump out of chest and my face looked like a beetroot! I think I was still recovering last night, because my practice felt a lot heavier (if that makes any sense!)…

I find it motivating that I can still get totally floored by this yoga. Sometimes your strong, energetic practice can get turned on its head – accepting this and not reacting is part of the experience.

There is etiquette, and there is ETIQUETTE…

If you have to go, you have to go… so long as you slip out quietly, don’t cause a huge drama, and then slip back in – no problems! It seems counter-productive to spend half the class not being “present” and able!

:bug:

Hello,

It is possibly your body acclimatising to the hot room which can take a few weeks. Remembering back, I used to feel really overheated at night when I first started (I practice at night and finish class at about 9pm). I rarely experience it now, but if I’ve had a really demanding session my body seems to take a lot of time “cooling” down.

However there are some other threads which discuss (what may be) similar issues – try the search function for “fever” and see if any of the posts resonate with you.

Cheers.

There are a lot of “mind games” that go on inside your head during a hot yoga class (Bikram or other). Sometimes your body is willing but your head is telling you to give it up because it’s too hot, there’s sweat in my eyes, my muscles burn etc etc. At the end of the day you have to be true to yourself. If you are working hard, breathing calmly and pushing to YOUR edge – it doesn’t really matter if you lie down. Everyone starts at a different point, progresses at a different pace and is working towards an outcome that is totally individual.

I’ve been doing hot yoga for about 18 months and I don’t really notice what other people in the room are doing (unless there is a lot of drama involved!) – so don’t be concerned about what anyone else thinks either.

Take a break if you need to, but then jump back up and keep working it!

I experienced the same thing earlier this year – I had a major breakout on my back, shoulders and chest which seemed to last forever! :cheese:

In reality, it was a problem for a couple of months and has not been an issue since. I didn’t do anything specific to treat it, and it resolved – I just make sure that I get changed and showered as quickly as I can after class.

I haven’t started running consistently yet! I generally do some intervals/hill work once or twice a week just to keep my cardio fitness up. This has not seemed to adversely impact anything (and hopefully I haven’t spoken too soon!).

As for standing head to knee – one modification is to not do a forward bend and grab your knee instead. I’m not sure if this is an accepted mod in a purist Bikram stuido, but my teacher has suggested this modification where students are having issues with this pose until they build up the required strength and/or opening.

I was a runner for many years – running between 8km to 16km 5 or 6 days per week – and my body told me about it when I started yoga about 18 months ago. I have noticed big improvements in the opening of my hamstrings and glutes. My lower back is slowly starting to ‘release’ as well.

I have taken on board the advice from Gabrielle about bending knees where appropriate. I have also been going to a remedial massage therapist. Plus this year I started supplementing the Bikram series practice with Power / Vinyasa practice which has really helped to open up some of the tightness.

Sometimes the body just needs time to heal – it has been damaged over many years, so it will definitely take time to rehabilitate.

Hi Sandra…

I definitely try to apply this outside of yoga! It becomes more natural the more you practice – I have found it’s like any habit and takes some time to form. It is amazing how remembering to “put your elbows in your back pockets” helps relax your shoulders, engage your abdominal muscles and just be more upright!

Cheers,
Shona

Hello,

This is a tough pose! From my experience it is better to maintain correct alignment and form, and not go too deep into any posture until your body is ready.

I have knee issues from years of long distance running, and I had to back way out of the depth of this posture for some time to build the strength required. I was still working hard, I was still maintaining the correct alignment – however I just wasn’t down as low as I wanted to be! You know your body better than anyone else, and if you are still working to YOUR edge than it doesn’t matter if you don’t look like everyone else in the room. I think it will come with time.

Cheers,
Shona