| When I started Bikram yoga in April, it just about killed me, every time. I struggled more with the heat than anyone else I know of. (Of course, I can't know what is going on inside each person's head.) I have spent massive amounts of time holding the floor down in savasana. One time, I had to run out and puke. Honestly, I really think I am the wimpiest student in the studio.
I am happy to say that at some point four months into my practice, I suddenly felt okay in the heat. I still have tough days--but those are now very diagnostic for me. Always they tell me something is going on with my body that I wouldn't have known until later, such as illness.
It still feels mighty warm, I still sweat, and sometimes I still struggle, but not on the epic scale that I had before. I've been told by others that it can take months to get used to the heat, so I just wanted to say hang in there to everyone who is new and still having a lot of trouble with the heat.
I'm also so thrilled to be making progress in the postures. I can start to kick out in standing head to knee, although it doesn't look graceful. I can do both sets of camel, and even look forward to it, because it is the best posture for the upper back stiffness that I have. I have to go into the posture more quickly than we are told to do. If I stop "halfway," then I start to freak out and find myself coming out. I think this is okay, because I do not have any trouble or pain getting in and out and am able to do a very textbook camel. I got my butt down in fixed firm very suddenly, and have been enjoying that one ever since. And I'm getting the legs up in Locust. I still can't do toe stand, but I enjoy trying it each time I practice. I think the best thing is that whenever I catch myself saying "Oh, no, here's this one again," I can say, "Wait, maybe today will be the day that I can do it!"
All around a very satisfying practice and I'm grateful to be able to enjoy the heat, rather than suffer with it.
Ferret |
heat acclimation--you can do it!
