Heart rate high, need to take Savasana a lot.

I am quite overweight and have been practicing yoga since May, however lately haven’t been able to go regularly because of work.

During standing series my heart rate gets high early in the class, Awkward Pose usually and I have to lay down. If I push myself past that I have a bad class because I can’t get my heart to slow much. I have learned to rest before my heart rate gets too high. I know it’s because I am out of shape and eventually I will get better and do more, right?

The thing is, no one else is like me. Even the new people can do the entire class with out a break. Sometimes I only do one set of each posture or skip some altogether. I feel like I will never get any better and I feel like other people notice and judge me, I’m sort of embarrassed. It makes it hard to stay motivated to go to class even though I love how it makes me feel.

Do you guys have people in class like me? Or are any of you like me?

I started off exactly like you, and still am to a certain extent. Awkward Pose can really get to me as well but then there are days it is fine. Yes, you will eventually be able to do more. I was literally 3-4 inches from being able to even reach my knee or foot in any pose when I started. I still remember the day I got my arms just onto the towel, never mind underneath me in half-locust. All of that has continued to improve dramatically. One suggestion I’ll offer is focus on your breathing. If you start breathing through your mouth it will drive your heart rate up as that interacts with the body’s fight/flight nervous system response. Also holding your breath, which if I’m not careful I’ll do in Half-moon and Awkward, will make your heart speed up. So keep breathing and breathing through the nose.

I’ve also seen MANY people who looked very fit struggle greatly in the first classes. I’ve also seen many people, myself included and even teachers, with regular practices have days when they had to rest. Everyone comes in each day with a body and brain that will be unique for them that day. What happens, happens. It isn’t good or bad, it just is. As long as you are putting forth your best effort at that moment to do what you can correctly you will be getting 100% of the benefits.

Don’t worry too much about the other people. They are probably WAY too focused on their own practices and issues to be judging yours. If anything it has been my experience that the more truly proficient yogis recognize and admire your struggle and determination.

Pamela, I have the same problem. I am not overweight but my heart rate gets up so high, and it just never comes down. Sometimes, I think it’s just that my studio lets things get too hot, but I also known the blood pressure medication I’m on might accelerate the heart rate easily. I’ve been practicing for two years and I’m tired of sitting out postures all the time! I can get caught up in the “It’s humbling!” thing. But I know I’m getting the benefits, as I FEEL great most of the time. That’s the main thing, right?

Pamela: You might not know it, but lots of us have hearts racing and just don’t show it. I don’t think you’d ever know it looking at me. I smile, stand very quietly, do each pose slowly and carefully. I’ve been doing it for many years and I guess my mind keeps my body in control. I don’t drink during class, so I have quite a few seconds, up to a minute, after Eagle to feel my heart racing as I stand there quietly while most everyone else has a drink. It’s during this time that I have noticed and wondered why my heart is racing, because Eagle does not seem like a hard pose. My heart races too after Standing Bow and Balancing Stick, but I don’t have time to contemplate it as the poses move one after the other without a break.

I have read elsewhere, though, that the water drinking is what makes people tired around Triangle, their body is now split between focussing on the pose and doing something with the liquid in the stomach.

Anyway, it’s all good. It’s like circuit training, heart pounding, slowing/relaxing, heart pounding, slowing/relaxing. Stand quietly. Smile at yourself. Be proud of how hard you are working and the good you are doing your body.

Also remember too any excess moving will get your heart going, things like sitting down, then getting up quickly. Hatha yoga, which is what Bikram yoga is, means stillness and breath. Take this thought into every class, stillness and breath. Relax, learn to love the yoga, learn to love you – just as you are, at that moment, looking at yourself – good job, girl!!!