I have wanted to know if it is ok to do hot yoga if you have a heart condition. I have cardiomyoapthy (enlarged heart)I have spoken to my doctor, but as you all may know if you are on the alternative path of tring to find out more about your body rather then listen to doctors to some extent. She says no but I feel that It should be ok. Can I get some feed back on this by an expert who may know.

Hello

The answer is really going to boil down to you! As it should.

I do want to point out several things:

Cardiomyopathy is a general term which means there is ‘something wrong with the heart’. In specifics, cardio is heart, myo is muscle (cardiomyo = heart) and pathy means pathology of. So in order for anyone but your doctor to give you advice it would be wrong to do that without much more information. I would never presume to take the place of your specialist.

You need to check inside of you for the answers and make your own decisions. If there is more information that you can give me it would be helpful. I cannot even give you any recommendations for your practice until I know more. Please understand that. Hey, if you like you can fill me in on the name of your condition and how it affects you on the private messaging system. I can’t guarantee anything but I will absolutely do my utmost to help.

Namaste
Gabrielle

Thank you. I think what I will do is go and try it out even if i jsut sit there just to see.

Hi

Thank you for your response. Please remember that when you are in the room there are some responsibilities that you can take for yourself that may go against what the teacher thinks could be right for you.

Here is a list of things to take note of:

you will no doubt be asked to fill in a medical waiver form and HOPEFULLY someone will ask you about your condition. However when you attend regular classes please tell every single teacher before class of your condition. Generally teachers (should but don’t) check on people’s medical histories and know about everyone. So just take the extra precaution to tell every new teacher and remind teachers you’ve had once or twice.

I still don’t know enough about your condition but here are some pointers: for the first time if you are sitting and watching that is great. For the next number of classes until you are ready, do the SECOND set only of the poses. That sounds easy, missing the first set, but it really is ‘easier’ mentally and from the point of view of a person new to the experience to simply join in the whole time. But if you go in with the intention of doing the second set then you will find more ease.

You can then graduate up to perhaps only doing the first set of the poses. These are more intense because they are generally held for a longer time (often double the time for the standing poses anyway).

You could even graduate it up using a mix of first and second set poses. And if you are being monitored and you are improving and you are monitoring your own state and you feel you can continue then please just always use your body’s own intelligence to carry you through (coupled with your medical and professional advice).

Feel free to use this forum or my PM or email. And please take care of yourself.

Namaste
Gabrielle

health#1 - 09 May 2008 07:41 AM

I have spoken to my doctor, but as you all may know if you are on the alternative path of tring to find out more about your body rather then listen to doctors to some extent. She says no but I feel that It should be ok.

I’m not an expert but I have noticed that many people, doctors included, are quite comfortable giving advice based on what they think they know.  I suggest asking the doctor if there is a problem with participating in low-impact aerobic activities and stretching.  If you are taking any medications, you might also check with your pharmacist to see if there is any concern regarding heat.  Beyond that, as Gabrielle said, listen to what your body is telling you.

Take Care,
Lee

Thank you for your advise. It helps out alot.