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Gabrielle,

Thank you so much for the thoughtful response!

I’m going to put this plan into action. I think I’ve done it to some extent by really concentrating on the instructor’s words. Even to the point of repeating them to myself.

I love that you make a distinction between me and my mind. That’s very apt. I don’t necessarily have to worry about what my mind may be telling me at any point. I can just notice it and move on (I hope!)

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Thank you again!

Hi! Thanks for responding.

It makes sense that hot yoga (probably any kind of yoga) would help with anxiety. Unfortunately for me, my anxiety is triggered by the heat. But as I said, I’ve done very well up to these last few weeks.

The panic comes on when I’m breathing hard and overly conscious of my breath. I feel like I have to make myself yawn or gasp to get that deep breath. Once I do, I feel better. For the most part, I do breathe normally, trying always to breathe steadily and deeply and through my nose. But once I become too aware of getting that deep breath, I start to feel a little panicky. Usually it goes away; this last time, it didn’t.

When this happens, I just try to remind myself that I’m breathing perfectly normally and nothing is wrong. I try to focus on the pose or, if between poses, on standing tall but in a somewhat relaxed manner. I’m good at keeping my eyes straight ahead and keeping my face calm, so that helps.

I’m sorry you hurt your neck. I hope it’s better now. Thanks for the interest!

Gabrielle,

Thank you so much for your swift response and wise words! This is how I feel (that it’s my practice and I must show myself compassion), but then I feel bad that I’m not living up to the instructors’ goal for their students, which is that they constantly push themselves to be stronger and better — which is something I like, but when it comes to the heat issue, I’m just not onboard. I have a lot of physical issues to deal with, and I feel like that challenge is more or a priority to me than being even hotter.

Yes, sometimes I feel like there’s a disconnect between the “challenge yourself” and “listen to your body.” It can be a fine line. But I am constantly pushing myself in other ways, so I know I’m not just being a wimp about the heat.

The instructors do urge students to not “get stuck” in the same place, and I do heed that directive by moving around while staying on the cooler side. I do realize the importance in not standing in the same place every time.

Anyway, thank you again. I’m new to the forums and have been reading a lot of the posts related to heat as well as the other topics. This is a great site. Thank you!