Hot Yoga Forum

YogaBody supplement really works

2008-04-13T20:30:09-08:00

Hi Gabrielle

First can I say, I love your site and have learn’t so much from your Forum. As a relative newbie to Bikram Yoga (I’m only a 6 month old yogi) it is great to read about other people’s questions, their struggles and successes.

As a previous gym junkie, aerobic instructor and runner, I tried hot yoga at the suggestion of a friend. I have found it to be more challenging than running a half marathon, to be incredibly frustrating mentally, to move me to tears at times, but also to be more rewarding physically and mentally than crossing any race finish line. I LOVE IT and practice 6 days a week now. (My running shoes rarely see the light of day anymore.)

Recently I discovered your link to Lucas at YogaBody. I have been following his stretching guide and taking his supplements for a week now and have already seen a big improvement in my flexibility. The stuff really works! Not only has it helped with my postures but I have more energy, less appetite, better digestion and find I’m sleeping better and coping with stress at work. Whats not to like! I highly recommend it to any fellow yogis!

Thanks again for your great site. To paraphrase Lucas, “Stay Bendy”
Namaste
Stephanie

Bad neck…

2010-07-14T05:29:24-08:00

I have chronic neck pain due to spasms in my neck from tourettes (or at least that’s the best any doctor has been able to figure out). I also have had pretty severe forward-facing neck posture that is much better than it was since I’ve been seeing a chiropractor for the past year. Now the pain is back, and I think it must be due to the pressure on my neck during rabbit pose. I also experience neck pain during pranayama breathing.
I try my best to put as little pressure on the top of the head as possible by really pulling on my heels…my instructor has told me I have very good form in this pose. However, the pain is still there. As I try to decrease pressure to my head, my feet raise off the ground a little bit. I know this is not correct.

Do you have any other ideas besides pulling harder (I don’t think I physically can at this point) that would help with my neck? It seems that just any pressure is too much.

I love this pose for what it does for the rest of my back, I just don’t want to undo the work of my chiropractor.

Cannot reach my heels in Rabbit Pose

2008-03-06T08:34:47-08:00

Posted by Ela

It is mean for today..
Obviously I cannot grab my heals and I do not know what is more important in this pose.
Struggle to reach feet or to try bend without grabbing feet.

I would really appreciate any help!

Thanks,

Ela

Slightly confused about Rabbit

2009-12-12T10:43:12-08:00

What is the objective - or rather - focus of Rabbit?

Like another poster, I am also not sure whether the position of my head is correct in this pose. I always have to walk my knees towards my forehead - but my head ‘rolls’ with the result that it’s not my forehead that is resting on the floor but a part of my head further back. It does not hurt, but I wonder if it is indeed correct.

Also, once I feel everything’s “in place” - hips up, feet and knees together, tummy tucked, arms straight, grip good, I wonder “now what do I do with my shoulders?”. Should they be pushed down - i.e. away from ears - or left ‘semi-relaxed’?

Crampy Rabbit!

2008-10-22T07:46:58-08:00

Hi. I quite frequently get calf cramps in rabbit. They tend to happen near the end of the asana when I am approaching what is for me a full expression of rabbit. It seems an odd thing since my calves do not seem to be playing much of a role in the action in this asana…until they go suddenly bonkers on me that is. I am sure it is a regular comedy routine watching my desperate, sudden and rapid exit from rabbit when this occurs but its not so much fun for me. Arghh. I have been practicing 3-4 times a week for two years. Love this yoga. I am confident that my hydration and electrolyte intake is ample. I am an avid bicyclist and wonder if I have developed some problem relating to cycling that is now dogging my rabbit. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Cannot get forehead to knees

2008-04-02T11:05:57-08:00

I am fairly new to hot yoga. The pose I struggle with the most is probably rabbit. I cannot get my forehead to touch my knees no matter how close I tuck my chin as I go down into the pose and I can’t do it by walking my knees forward either (once I’m in the pose). Any suggestions? Will it get easier as I keep trying to get into the pose in future classes?

Am I doing Rabbit right?

2008-04-15T19:04:39-08:00

Hello Gabrielle

I just want to thank you and the others who have contributed to
making this website happen. It’s so informative and your knowledge is truly
amazing.

In Sasangasana, the crown of my head is on the floor and I have my
forehead touching my knees, but I have heard some teachers tell students to
tuck their chin slightly. if i tuck my chin, I then roll a little onto the
back of my head. is this okay, or should i just not tuck my chin?

Thanks
Susan

Sciatica and Rabbit

2008-10-16T15:57:39-08:00

When in Rabbit, I feel a twinge in my sciatic nerve down my leg. I have ongoing sciatica issues. Should I skip this pose? Or is there a way to modify it?
Thank you!

The Key To Rabbit.

2008-09-09T10:01:13-08:00

Okay, I have two things to talk about and one I’m sure many people think about but no one wants to talk about. Before I talk about Rabbit pose, I have to speak about “wanting approval from the instructor.”

I think it’s hard to admit sometimes that we want the teacher to say our name out loud and say things like, “Beautiful posture, Sally.”

I think only the most intense Buddhist Monk who has been meditating on a mountain for his entire life has perhaps overcome the need for approval. I think what takes me out of the moment sometimes is thinking “Hey! Don’t you see me over here with my head on my knee!”

I just wanted to comment to you all that you are not alone, and acknowledging your desire to be named aloud is the first step in making it less of a big deal.

I take class with my wife who has been practicing for a lot longer than I have. I am former pro athlete, 6 foot 5, 260 lbs., so needless to say, I am outside the norm when it comes to your average yogi.

That being said, I think I surprise my teachers when I am able to do some things that a 6’5, 260 lbs. man maybe couldn’t normally do.

Which brings me to Rabbit: The last four classes in a row, the teacher has mentioned my name aloud saying, “beautiful rabbit.” 4 in a row!

It has become “a thing” with my wife and I. She calls my rabbit a “show stopper.” The 4th class last night was hilarious. We were both having awesome, super strong classes and then we got to rabbit and lo and behold, the teacher says, “Beautiful Rabbit,” even though he hadn’t given a compliment to anyone the whole class. We both got these huge smiles on our faces. (Which is a great place to be after rabbit!) She jokingly talks about how it’s all going to my head, but she loves that they can’t seem to resist pointing me out. She says, “That’s totally hot.” (no pun intended)

Two days ago, the teacher actually said: “Hey look at him! That’s what you call Pi. 3.1415… a perfect circle.”

Can you believe that? I admit, it makes me feel really fantastic.

The key:

I feel like it’s my dirty little secret or something but the only reason I am able to achieve “Pi” is the grip on my heels. Your hands must grip your heels as if you are trying to crush a piece of steel. Imagine your grip on a barbell when you lift weights. It must be extremely tight and “aggressive.” Tight! Tight! Tight!

A super super tight grip, pull up and roll forward, and you can achieve pi!

Stomach Cramp in Rabbit

2008-09-03T08:34:44-08:00

Every time I’m in rabbit, I seem to get this crazy stomach cramp in one of my upper abdominal muscles. I find that it’s worse the more i suck my stomach in. Is this normal and is there anything I can do to prevent it?