Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)

Hi Micherie

I was actually not really that alarmed with the 15,000 IU. I have been researching the whole vitamin thang and I KNOW that will form part of my response regarding the article from that specialist.

Here’s what I have read/know about Vitamin D. Daily ‘recommended’ intake is between 200-400 IU. To maintain good levels as an adult you should really have 4,000 IU. If you are low (as you are) then to boost your levels back to normal the dosage is at least 5,000 IU and often 10,000 IU. So at the moment taking 1,000 or so a day is possibly not really doing enough to counter the problem.

You are currently experiencing winter, you aren’t getting much sunlight on your skin. If it were me it would be the higher levels I would be taking. If you want some links to go to online let me know and I will PM them to you.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Kordelia

Not sure about exfoliation specifically but I am pretty sure it has to do with the increased circulation – improved transport to and from the skin of nutrients and wastes.

It is amazing how flushed and fresh the skin looks. I love the stories of numerous students over the years who have told me things like “my husband thought I’d had a facial” or “my husband thought I was wearing makeup” and “my partner complimented me on how young I look”. Nice one!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Cyberry

My thoughts have been about another recent theme that seems to be playing out elsewhere in the forum and that is about having enough core strength to support your backbend. This seems to be playing out here. Your physio concurs I think. Funny that he wondered why you would do a backbend! :wow:

I know you probably can access resources to improve your core strength. In class it takes a concerted effort. In camel, if you normally put hands on feet, try just bringing hands into prayer pose and just go back. This will help you engage strength rather than letting the abs go while trying to get a bigger back bend by pulling on heels. It’s self-limiting and you really can’t go back too far. Hope that makes sense.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Andrew

That’s a great question. You really don’t need to consciously pull your tummy in. You see, when your arms move upward your whole torso stretches. It pulls on your abdomen and stretches it, the muscles the organs and skin all tighten within the space with the elongation. Don’t try to suck your tummy in on the inhale. Try instead to create more space in your chest and ribs and lungs for a deep breath (as per the video). You will find that you can suck in your tummy just as you are exhaling. That’s really it!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Lisa

Good question! Here’s the answer. Check out this video with all the instructions: A Transformational Technique For Your Yoga, For Your Life.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Dawn

Thanks for joining us!

It seems as though you could drink more water. 60 ounces (or about 1.8 liters) is about the amount one should really drink without going to yoga. It is possible that you are dehydrated, need some electrolytes. I would certainly try to drink another liter (increase your intake by half).

I would also like to know how accurate the room temperature reading is. 115F (or 46C) is unnecessarily high. If this level is correct then you could be experiencing some exhaustion.

115F plus a big sweat makes what we call the heat index a little excessive. Please Are you sweating a lot in the room? Because if you are then the temperature could easily be lowered to safe levels (around the 98-105 mark) and give you a very satisfying class.

You may like to read about the heat index by Googling it or take a look around the forum because it’s been discussed on numerous occasions, here are just a few examples (using the search facility up the top right corner) Heat Reaction and Do Hot Yoga Practitioners Have Odd Body Temperatures? and this one Is The Studio I Go To Overheating The Room?.

Happy reading

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Shane

Welcome! Are you practicing at home? If you are then there’s a pose timing sheet at the Resource Center that would be helpful.

As for your other question: There is no age limit! There are benefits for one and all. We all come to the table with different ‘stuff’, different capabilities, flexibilities, some with injury and some with conditions.

Yoga meets you where you’re at!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Jessie

Thanks Micherie for your ideas.

Jessie, I am positive that you can fix this in the studio and it’s extremely likely that we can sort this out almost immediately. I have had plenty of experience in this arena.

My guess is that you are doing what the teachers command and that is straightening your arms and slamming then against the side of your head trying to get them behind your ears. It’s what they tell you to do and don’t make any provisos for people who aren’t ready for this because of injury or other issues. It causes many problems and much pain for thousands of students.

Please go and read the many of the posts in the Half Moon section. Try looking at titles such as: Tight Shoulders, Tight Trapezius, here’s one on Back Bend Problems (there’s another I have to find for you where the improvement was 100% in one class), and What Should My Arms Be Doing?.

Please come back and tell us what happens. If you haven’t already seen the video from the free videos section called A Transformational Technique For Your Practice And Your Life then this all ties in with what I believe you must do.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Amnon

Are you talking about all backbends or a particular pose that incorporates a backbend? Would you tell me what you are doing? And is your question about the abdomen in general or are you seeking information about core strength?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Cyberry

Are you getting any other associated tension in the upper back, neck or shoulders? When you say there is pain lower right side, just clarifying that you mean in that same thoracic area.

Are you also saying that the vertebrae themselves feel tender or is it purely muscular? I am also wondering if you’ve had anyone look at it even your partner, to find out if there is a spasm in the muscles there.

It’s been over a day since your question, please tell me if the pain has abated even a little, what have you done to make that happen and if you are continuing to go to class? You have been feeling pain for 2 weeks – can I assume it is continuous or just in class?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Jean

Congratulations on your bump which is really just a little blip at the moment!!!

A few questions:

>> Can I assume you’ve read the other posts about pregnancy?

>> Is it more that you worry that you are not regular or haven’t been doing it long enough? If that’s the case, a practice for a month will have already developed your acclimatization to the heat.

>> What can you tell me about the specific temperature (and even humidity) conditions in the studio you are going to?

If you haven’t read the other posts then you will find them listed here: Pregnancy, Childbirth and Beyond. There’s one in there called “Is pregnancy hazardous to the pregnant woman or her fetus?”

Remember this is your body, your baby, YOUR choice. BUT you do need to exercise some caution. There are studios that heat their rooms to dangerous levels for ANYONE. I know of some studios that heat between 113-131F (yes 45-55 degrees celsius).

Your doctor is just doing what most doctors would do, exercising caution (yes, perhaps based on ignorance) but that’s what they do.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Lisa

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing it. Boy it must be cold where you are.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂