xtiinalove

Hi Janet!

In short. YES. Hot Yoga is excercise and excercise is good for you.

As for the benefits of heat vs no heat… try practicing the asanas in a non-heated room and feel the difference. The heat DEFINATELY turns it up a notch, makes it harder to focus, increases cardiovascular function and makes you sweat like crazy!

You’re HOT? You ache beyond any level you have experienced before? Good! That means it’s working!

BUT… if you’re feeling overwhelmed/ stressed– especially to the point where your breath is consistantly compromised– you might need to back off a little. Try two classes a week to start. Do half the postures if necessary, and spend the rest of the time standing or kneeling and breathing consciously. Eventually (likely more quickly than you think!) with patience and compassion you’ll build the stamina and confidence to complete the series without DYING.

Also check in with your diet… are you eating enough? Are you getting enough electrolytes? If you’re doing 4 classes a week suppliments such as Nuun or Vita C could make a world of difference.

Also wondering how long you take for savasana at the end of class? This yoga is POWERFULL stuff. You’re pumpin’ your body full of prana and it can take a while to calm down. Although you might feel like sprinting out of the room ASAP… it’s ideal to lie still until your heart rate returns to normal. Sometimes takes me 15 mins or more! With our busy lives it’s not always practical, but if you can make the time for yourself it’s certainly nice. I sometimes roll over on my tummy too and have a little snooze…

;0

Can’t comment on you’re friend’s thyroid problems as I’m not a doctor… though I do wonder how she made the thyroid/yoga connection and what the symptoms were?

Anyway, hope this helps bring a little JOY into your practice!

NAMASTE

C.