droma

Hi —

I was always exhausted after class as well. I do deal with a compromised immune system however. I discovered that I was losing minerals through the 90 minute class and when minerals are out of balance for me I always feel exhausted. I have a pretty heavy-duty supplement regime that I adhere to so I thought that would be sufficient for replacement. Also experienced the same exhaustion using a FIR sauna. So something with detox is going on as well. As a result, had my blood levels for minerals tested and that is when my Nurse Practitioner discovered the imbalance. Supplement intake was modified to correct the imbalance. I have started a home practice (using MasterClass) with heat and humidity, slightly lower than the studio level I was practicing at and I have cut down practice time to 1 hour. Can’t believe the difference in my energy level! Feel like the Energizer Bunny!! Also started Sherry Rogers MD detox cocktail (Detox or Die,Pain Free in 6 weeks, etc.)and I seem to have found something that works for me. I’ve given up the sauna for now and am adhering to home practice. When we listen to the body, it does have a story to tell. Hope you find relief soon.

Diane

Yes Gabrielle — it is a fine line. I don’t know how many people practice with a compromised immune system so a special class may not be feasible, but still a great idea. I believe common courtesy dictates that if you are contagious with a fever, sniffles, sneezing, and/or a cough you should stay away from the hot yoga room. Perhaps practicing on opposite sides of the yoga room and using a clean towel to open and close the studio door would be added safety measures when you are feeling under the weather and extra precautions for those with compromised immune systems.

Thank you for your concern.

droma

Silver —

Felt as if I was reading my own story as I read your post. I have CFIDS and Fibromyalgia and have had since the mid 90’s. I started Bikram 2 years ago but have taken the last 6 months off because I pushed myself too far and my body rebelled. We fight the same fight. When the energy comes back, I feel like I’ve overcome and am back to health. Pacing is not something in my vocabulary and certainly not what I want in my lifestyle but what I need most of. I think what happened to me was that the pathways to detoxification started to open but the organ systems were not strong enough to handle the elimination of toxins. I felt like sludge just kept circulating and that created the dizziness, nausea, foggy thinking . . . I did 60 days straight in the beginning and then tried 3 to 4 days a week thereafter for 1 1/2 years. The heat was just became too much. When I stopped practicing for brief periods I could feel the benefits of the yoga. The problem became how to benefit without tearing down all the good I was creating. I believe my solution is to continue to do yoga at home on the off days for shorter amounts of time (Gabrielle’s DVD’s are excellent for the type of practice we need)and to attend a few studio classes a week. It is absolutely amazing to me how beneficial yoga is in my life. I still use the concepts daily when performing simple tasks and it is the only element that slows down my mind and gets me out of the spiral of overthinking. I’m working my way back to the studio and I think I have finally learned my lesson. My body is different, it is unique. It speaks to me and when I do not listen, it shouts. If I continue to not pay attention, my body wins by knocking me down. I’m going to compromise from this point forward and stop the yearning for what was and what could be if only . . . and enjoy the new found flexibility, strength and focus that I get from yoga even if it means doing 1 set of poses on certain days and partaking in more savasanahs. I’ll be sending good thoughts your way.

Diane