bonnie

Hey fellow Bonnie,

I experienced something similar a few months ago and was a little worried at the time because I couldn’t tell if it was internal or external. It felt like a pinch under my bottom left rib and made certain sitting positions uncomfortable. The doctor poked me a bit and told me it was a muscle spasm. It did go away eventually.

I try to be very careful in my practice and (touch wood) I haven’t had any serious injuries. I do get twinges now and then that last a little while but they go away in time. They can serve as reminders to focus on moderation, alignment and ‘form before depth’.

…It goes without saying that if you are in real pain or otherwise feel something isn’t right it’s best to see a doctor!

I have weighed myself before and after class and there can be a difference of five or six pounds. This is in spite of about a 1.5L water intake during that time. For a female I sweat a lot compared to those around me, to the extent that it makes me self-conscious. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of people near me and they are barely dewy, their towels still fluffy, while I look like a drowned rat with my towel a swampy and squishy mess. But ultimately I think it’s a good thing, as long as I am sure to stay hydrated throughout the day and keep my electrolytes up.

I have a daily practice and probably drink four or five litres of water throughout the day.

I have experienced this (ammonia sweat) myself from time to time, and since it seemed a little unusual I did some research. It turns out this is not altogether uncommon for athletes. I found a lot of information on the web, but this is perhaps the most straightforward explanation:

http://runningdoctor.runnersworld.com/2008/05/why-does-my-swe.html

The theory is that the ammonia smell is a byproduct of the body resorting to protein for energy in the absence of sufficient carbohydrates. Supporting this, I definitely only experience it when I know I am low on food energy, such as in certain morning classes when I have woken up hungry and not eaten breakfast before class, or during a back-to-back double. If I make sure to at least get some carbohydrates in before class I have found I can avoid it.

I wonder that too, as I want to start the challenge very soon.

I’m up to six days per week now, and I feel generally (pleasantly) worn out most days. It’s different than the pain and undeniable need for recovery I’ve experienced after a few days of running or a day of intense resistance training. Still, after a rest day my practice usually seems to improve when I come back to it.

Though I absolutely want to take the challenge, I do wonder if practice every single day mitigates any of the benefits… (certainly cultivating the determination and discipline needed is a benefit in itself). I’d love to hear what those who have done it have to say.