yoginita

Thanks for your quick reply!

I’ve only been practicing in a hot room for 6 months, but this goosebumpy/chills thing is brand new yesterday. After/during most classes–though I feel fatigued and a little breathless–I don’t experience any physiological abnormalities like yesterday. And my power classes aren’t in a hot room–about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. So I’m only in a hot room for 3 consecutive days a week (4 if I don’t take Sunday off).

Regarding my “pushing to the max” comment: unfortunately I’m not the kind to do a good job of taking it easy when my body is telling me to. My trial for the 6 years I’ve been practicing has been to find ahimsa in my practice. For me, my yoga progresses like this: asana first, leading into pranayama, and the two birthing a meditation. I know various hatha schools prefer the order to be different–say, pranayama first or meditation first–but I practice for asana. The meditative effects of my practice come from the buzz I get from throwing myself at the asanas full-force. (An optional second vinyasa? Hah. Not optional, silly!) Now, when it comes to Bikram I’m a little better at taking care of myself; I lay down if I’m starting to feel dizzy, and if I’m starting to lose control of my breath I back off. That’s why I thought yesterday’s corporeal reaction was a little strange; I wasn’t pushing myself too hard. The room, however, felt abnormally hot.

As for feeling dizzy sometimes and feeling like I need to vomit after a class or two, I actually consider that a good thing. Bizarre? Probably. I’ve been fitness-focused my whole life, and, after exercise, I know that I gave it all I had if I feel like I need to regurgitate whatever’s left in my gut (though I never do get to the actual vomiting stage). For me, it’s a sick sort of pleasure I get out of a little nausea after a work-out. And that’s what my yoga is for me: a workout that I’ve developed a sort of addition to which has helped me get better at living a life off the mat.

Gosh, I have no idea if that was at all hepful. It’s late and I’m babbling. I don’t even know if I’ve forgotten to answer any questions . . .