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in reply to: How hot is it??!! #6751
Excellent discussions going on – definitely ask for what you want – you are the customer and it is YOUR body!
Just to make sure you are well-informed and know the facts – registered members have access to Gabrielle’s guide “How Hot Is Hot Yoga” which can be downloaded from this link:
https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/poses
😉
in reply to: Random thoughts re: hot yoga #6719pain is weakness leaving the body…
I like it! Might use that as a mantra in my class today … 😉
in reply to: Interesting differences between studios… #6569Hey thanks for the report Bonnie – *very* interesting isn’t it how differently studios can set themselves up. I think it would end up having a huge impact on the type of practice those students would have.
Now can you please embark on a road trip and give us a weekly update? What’s hot and what’s not? … 😉
(Maybe we could sponsor you and you wear a Hot Yoga Doctor singlet on your travels. Hang on … we don’t HAVE any Hot Yoga Doctor singlets *rushes off to T-shirt printing company*)
Very interesting, Tnx!
Definitely recommended to help flush everything out!
Not good to go while you have a fever, or would consider yourself infectious, but once that has subsided, go for it.
Etiquette note: If you are still using a few tissues be aware that some folks find that a bit off-putting (depending on uh, what you do with the used ones!) so it’s always good to be discreet.
It usually does help your body move through the symptoms more quickly. (Hey look, I used my yoga to recover from pneumonia just about one year ago now – hard work, but well worth it.)
Love to hear what others think!
in reply to: Hot Yoga for Children #6396I think the parent should be present until the child is capable of practicing with minimal supervision. After that I don’t really have any issue with “being dropped off” – this happens all over the world for gymnastics; swimming and various other sports, so as long as professionals are on hand and are CPR trained etc I don’t see why not.
I think you are spot on browntoes about hydration and that would be worth making a condition of attendance/practice.
We found that 10 was about the earliest a young student could really manage the stamina and balance, as well as heat acclimatization – but in our view, they have to WANT to do it.
If it is a case of the mother/father/guardian insisting they do it because they somehow think “it would be good for them” (ie “to calm you down”), then I’d refuse unless they practice alongside them. Simply dropping them off if the potential student has no real interest is possibly more emotionally damaging than anything – especially if the parent doesn’t practice or has no interest!
I like the idea that they experiment first with a child-targeted class – somewhat less “in your face” and a heck of a lot easier for the instructor to manage.
in reply to: YogaBody supplement really works #6357Minor side effect for me – if I take them too close to a class (ie up to 40 mins before) I find they repeat on me … and if this happens, the taste is, shall we say, “acquired”.
I know, not the most pleasant of posts, but you gotta know this stuff!
Robert
Another possible “insight” (I agree with all the ideas so far – definitely start with good hydration) is to tune into some unconscious “over-efforting”.
By this I mean it is common for new students to “pull faces” in extreme effort – and not realize they are doing it. Over 90-mins this can definitely result in a headache.
I had one student who had a “tightness in her face” – not quite a headache, but it was persistent AND she had been coming to class for a while. It was persistent in only a few poses, but lasted after class.
On further investigation, it seems she was both holding her breath in those specific poses and had some fear of them, possibly showing as jaw tension. Together we practiced some different, more belly-based breathing and the very next class, problem gone!
As well as the face-pulling-effort issue, you could also start to tune into poses where the muscles that are not required in that pose are definitely relaxed. Even in savasana, students can unconsciously have their tongue pressing on the roof of the mouth, which could certainly contribute to a headache.
Those are my cheap insights! (ie 2c)
😀
Robert
in reply to: Bikram for weight loss – any stories for me?! #6241You are welcome here Jennifer!
I just tidied up your post since it had some funny code in there.
And we don’t really allow using someone else’s username thanks!
in reply to: I am quite overweight and doing hot yoga #6220I might add that since I am the husband of the Hot Yoga Doctor herself, one side-effect – and a very important one for a wedding – is that your skin usually takes on an inner glow. We call it the “hot yoga glow”. Other students have been known to have been stopped in the street and asked “what are you doing, you look great?” or “Did you get new makeup?” (when they weren’t wearing any)
Gabrielle certainly changed radically in her first two weeks (she went every day) – her skin tightened; she got that yoga glow … all good things for your wedding day as well as “getting into shape”.
Though I am sure you will be glowing in any case …. good luck and yes, do keep us posted!
Robert
in reply to: Sweat a lot, difficulty to hold postures #6212Thanks Therese,
Yes in that case, you should see quite rapid improvements in your grip (depending on how often you practice). Just do what you can to stop using any towels for grip (even if it means you slowly lose the grip) as this is the fastest way to move through the issue!
Cheers,
Robert
in reply to: Sweat a lot, difficulty to hold postures #6201Hi Therese and welcome!
How often do you go to class and how long have you been practicing hot yoga?
Many of us “heavy sweaters” have had this issue and the thing to do is to gradually train your hands and fingers to become stronger – but also precision alignment in the poses makes a huge difference, as does not trying to over-achieve depth until you can sustain form.
Both Gabrielle and I both used to use small handtowels/washcloths for wiping and gripping in our first few months of practice – but once you realize what a “prop” they are and that you are robbing yourself of developing strength … it is worth persevering with a bit of frustration for a few weeks or months to move past that.
🙂
Robert
in reply to: Itunes and Bikram #5993LOL! The “itunes plunge” that saulgirl refers to I’m pretty sure is that she purchased Bikram’s Audio Class on iTunes. At the moment Gabrielle’s class is not on iTunes, but you can get both mp3, CDs and even a “MegaPack” with a Home Practice Guide here:
https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/store/cds-and-mp3s.html
And yes, it’s safe to practice without the heat – obviously we think the addition of heat adds further benefits (perhaps mostly cardiovascular). What isn’t safe is practicing with poor alignment – this can even worsen certain problems – so we advise anyone practicing at home to try to get some studio experience first so at least they get the basics of the poses. A mirror is also important for self-correction.
You can use the pose photo gallery on this site (https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/categories-poses/) and also ask questions here in the forum – we’re here to help!
Robert
in reply to: Bikram Yoga and Philosophy #5989Very inspiring to read – thank you!
It’s great to know there are plenty of studios out there doing a great job – and it is motivating me once again to look into hosting a “favorite, positive, non-aggressive” hot yoga directory where everyone poses their fave places to practice and anyone else who has also been can vote and comment.
Stay tuned …
Thanks for posting!
in reply to: Toe Stand Danger #5964Hi Roachbeard – welcome to the forum (and back to your Bikram practice).
I do think toe stand is one pose where students must be careful – for you I’d recommend simply skipping it and repeating tree pose (and/or modifying any pose where knee twisting is causing you pain).
Fixed firm “might” be OK depending on your set up and foot direction – precision is important here. If there is pain then obviously modify it (you can put a rolled up towel or cushion under your bottom).
I have a knee injury (but on the INSIDE – and it clicks when I rise up) so I skip both tree and toe on that side, plus I modify floor head to knee (keeping sore leg extended and not bent, thus avoiding knee twist) and also spine twist, same thing, keeping the sore leg extended.
In over 5 years practicing like this it hasn’t gotten any worse so I’ve learned to live with it for all the other benefits, as you point out!
I’d recommend you do a search on the forum for “knee” and you’ll see some quite extensive advice already written that may help.
Hope that is a helpful start!
Robert
in reply to: core strength #5962I agree – not so much dangerous, but maybe more risk in a possible strain.
Personally if I do it without the ball (and I’ve only really done that for experimentation) then I feel too much strain on my back, so I don’t do it!
Go the ball!
🙂
in reply to: core strength #5945Hi Elizabeth,
I’d probably direct you to a reasonably expert source first to read up on it – that will start to give you a hint about which poses are likely to help you develop it:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/a/NewCore.htm
And definitely look at Gabrielle’s video:
https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/links/flatten-your-tummy-and-strengthen-your-back/
Then we’ll chime in with more when you get back to us (and anyone else feel free to add other ideas of course!)
😉
in reply to: room not hot #5927Hi seynabou – the short answer is yes!
You might want to check out our recent Q & A webinar at https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/topics/resources/free-yoga-videos/ as there is a longer explanation there. Be quick as these webinars are being pulled down next week!
Hope that helps,
Robert
in reply to: How much does everyone sweat? #5913Closing your eyes for that type of need is fine – the “idea” behind eyes staying open (apart from natural blinking which is important for keeping eyes feeling comfortable, as I’m sure you know with your sensitive eye history) is to help people stay present and focused on themselves.
So do what you need to do in those forward bends – at least until it stings no more!
Another thought I had too, when I had this issue I used to wipe my eyes/brows (with hand, not towel) before coming forward to try to mitigate so much sweat stinging. Not the ideal solution, but it was better than 75 mins of burning eyes.
😉
in reply to: How much does everyone sweat? #5911Hi Bonnie – I really don’t know the scientific reason for it – in the old days I used to think it was that my body needed to “eliminate stuff” but now I’m not so sure that sweat itself plays such a big part in that.
Perhaps more likely that the sweat pores themselves are simply dirty and being so highly activated gives them a good flushing?
Maybe the “Hot Yoga Doctor” could lend her POV?
Good question!
in reply to: How much does everyone sweat? #5909Normal for me too – and by no means abnormal.
@panalulu – that stinging *should* eventually go – I do notice that when I have breaks from my practice that on return, the sweat can get a bit stinging again in those forward bends.
(When I say eventually – usually in a matter of weeks with a regular 3 or more x week practice)
🙂
Robert
in reply to: So what do you wear? #5840Yes that’s more or less what I wear – dunno about that bright blue though – eek.
Is it because Canadians don’t swim much???? (tongue firmly in cheek)
in reply to: So what do you wear? #5838Though I don’t know the answer to a retail location, I did find some possibilities on
Using “lycra swim shorts” as my search term
Maybe that could point you in the direction of a suitable brand to search for at retail?
I personally wouldn’t buy online unless it was a repeat purchase and I knew the brand/model/size since comfort is a key factor.
(Some pretty funny pictures too – especially after all the conversations we’ve had about … ummm …. bulges. Suffice to say I’d suggest there must be a reasonable gay market for this type of wear.)
😉
in reply to: Meniscus tear #5806Hi there – a little late replying I know!
There is an excellent discussion similar to this here: https://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/forum/viewthread/667/
I modify tree pose; don’t ever do toe stand; modify floor head to knee as above (one side modified only); modify spine twist as above (straight leg is “knee issue leg” and again on one side only)
My injury was a number of years ago and has stayed pretty constant. I’m happy with my practice and if I try to go back to non-modified poses again, my knee hurts for a while until I re-modify. So I stick with the mods!
Hope that helps.
Robert
in reply to: I am quite overweight and doing hot yoga #5740Hi Lee – this had been sitting on my “must answer list” – but you did it for me and said pretty much what I was going to say, especially:
My experience is that fat loss is more a result of the total daily balance of energy in (food) and out.
And everyone’s metabolism will be different – ie which foods will be turned to fat; where will they be stored; is that an accessible energy source for the body to use while exercising; how long will it be before food ingested that is “fat” is available to “burn”.
Most of these questions are almost impossible to answer – as Lee says, it is better to focus on energy-in vs energy-out – with a healthy diet, plenty of cardio-exercise. Even the calorie/kilojoule energy-in/energy-out equation is best left as one assessment and not as the guiding principle.
I wanted to add: There is a behavioral tendency worth exploiting – we tend to carry out our “day” in the way in which we start it. Apparently it is proven that people who start out eating a healthy breakfast for example, are much less likely to end up falling for a fatty/greasy lunch.
So maybe starting out with yoga in the morning can also help people who are making behavioral changes (to both easting habits and exercise habits).
And finally – remember to empower yourself – especially in the mirror at yoga – with some helpful beliefs eg “I change my shape easily. My body fat ratio is becoming ideal” etc
Namaste
Robert
in reply to: Lost my Hot Yoga Mojo. — has anyone seen it? #5719I think I may have stolen it as I only just got mine back!
Seriously, how many times have I “lost my hot yoga mojo”? (Love your description!) … well many times.
Sometimes one class got me again (as Gabrielle said – feel so great after just one that the mojo just automatically re-installs). And sometimes I needed a “goal” – not always real, but something to aim for. (Which in my case is to re-balance my eating habits and make my shorts fit properly again haha!)
Perhaps you could also combine going back for the 4 classes with a reward or something to aim for and not be concerned about the conscious reasons as to why the disappearing mojo but assume that it will rightfully return, as it usually does.
Wait … what’s that I see rushing past? I think it’s on its way back to you!
(By the way, some folks have more motivation when they “move away from pain” – ie they get their mojo by thinking about the negative consequences of NOT doing it. This works sometimes for me as I’m old and don’t want to be an incapacitated parent when I am really old! So it can be a reward … or a whip. Whatever floats your mojo!)
Robert
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