Lubi

Hi Javalita,

I had a similar problem when I started with Bikram. Knee problem started right after the half moon pose.
I informed the teacher and he told me that it looks like I’ve pinched a muscle in my lower back. Told me not to push myself too hard and avoid certain poses (like back bends) for a while.

2 weeks later limping on my right leg, I went to see the physiotherapist who confirmed teacher’s diagnose. She gave me 5 different stretches to do twice per day, explained the exact problem and the pain disappeared.

I tend to do these particular stretches before every class and haven’t had problems since.
(Although now I have pain under my left bum cheek … wonder what I pinched this time)
Happy to forward the stretch routine if you think you might have pinched a nerve.

Hi Gabrielle,

I have similar problem with my husband.
As a baby he was diagnosed with TB of spine which caused scoliosis and around the age of 1 he got calcium built up in his left shoulder socket. By the time this had been discovered and treated, his arm was affected.

The left arm is significantly shorter, and he can’t lift his arm up. I believe he would benefit greatly from Bikram however I can’t get my head around how he would do all the poses where your arms touch above the head.

I am trying to convince him to do 1:1 training but I am a bit scared that he + the teacher would find it too difficult.

Have you had anyone with similar problem Gabrielle?

Namaste
Lubi

Hi,

Some of us are flexible, some are not. Some of us find certain poses difficult some don’t.
I think that you’ve mastered this pose and should congratulate yourself. Relax, meditate, concentrate on your breathing, watch how beautiful you look and how everyone else is jealous.

I have noticed that some poses are very difficult for me and some are easy breezy. This however has nothing to do with me mastering Bikram yoga, but my double jointed elbows and very flexible knees (my dad has the same advantage).

So I follow my recommendation. I concentrate on the poses which are harder and enjoy myself in the easy ones.

Congratulations on mastering half moon :cheese:

Hi Stefan,

When I do yoga at home, I don’t wash my clothes straight away. I usually use them 2-3 times before washing. Simple reason being: don’t sweat that much.

So don’t worry if you don’t wash them straight away – you are not alone.

Different story goes for clothes after the hot class – wash straight away.
😉

Lubi

Hi Gabrielle,

I have a mild scoliosis in lower back and found your tips very useful.
Thank you for that.

I also used to sit on my left leg or sleep with my left leg bended.

Try not to do it now.

Namaste
Lubi

I completely agree with David and his heat regulation comments.
At our studio some instructors open doors frequently during class which makes it easier and much more comfortable for people in the back, but people in front of the door find this too cold. Now people that are directly behind the door get no benefit at all. By the time fresh air reaches them, it’s not fresh anymore.

There’s also a huge difference in air quality if you are doing first class in the morning or the last one in the evening.

For people lying down – this might not be a heat cause direct. I had to once sit through 30% of the class purely because of being dehydrated (I didn’t drink enough water beforehand) and for bad diet. (had potato salad and schnitzel on Monday, Coconut chicken on Tuesday and hot-dog on Wednesday). By Wednesday I was exhausted.

So it’s not all due the heat, but I personally prefer to do yoga in slighty cooler temperatures.

And I also perform better if I don’t have any meat before yoga (I am a meat eater).

Namaste
Lubi

Hi Gabrielle,

Our studio in South Melbourne, Australia, stinks too. For all triangle poses we are asked to step of off the mat and cross over. That means that every time you are in a relaxation pose, you are standing off the matt and sweat onto the carpet.
I found it difficult to do this poses as my feet would constantly slip and I couldn’t concentrate on what I was doing. When I tried to place my towel into T shape, I was asked to move the towel back. Apparently the reason for my feet slipping are my week inner thighs. I thought this a complete rubbish.
Now that I’ve pinched a nerve in my back and can’t lock my right knee I’ll just probably sweat out this positions lying down.
What do you think?