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Hot Yoga &menstruations
Hi girls!
Yesterday was the fifth day of my 10 day hot yoga challenge. Unfortunately it was also day 1 of my period but I went to yoga anyway.. Well, that was a horrible experience!!
I felt weak all the time (dizzy and felt like I was going to faint every 10 minutes), had to sit out most of the asanas and never got used to the heat even when lying down.
I had been hydrating throughout the day and I know the temperature of my body is a bit higher when I have my period but still I wasn't expecting that!
I was so frustrated because I felt I was doing so well before that and was strating to really feel more flexible in the back and legs.
So how do you ladies manage with your hot yoga practice at that particular time of the month?
Is there something you eat to feel stronger? The woman at the studio suggested red meat (I don't eat meat) and a lot of greens like brocolli and aspergus.
I would really love to keep practicing every day and the thought of having to stop for a week just because of this just bums me out!
Thaks for your help!
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9 Replies
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I skip both my pole and yoga classes if it happen to be the first 1-2 days of my period. But only if it’s the first day or 2.
Not only I feel weak on those days but I also get painful cramps…nevermind the fact that the flow are heavier. =(
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Hi.
I have been practicing yoga for a long time and have my 500 hour certification to teach hatha and vinyasa. Typically we say that it’s okay to practice while menstruating but do not practice inversions. The idea there is that your body is expelling the flow downward and to turn upside down would pull that energy back in. I believe in ashtanga yoga, they recommend not practicing for the first 2-3 days of your cycle. I think it’s ok to practice during that time, but be mindful of your body and do not invert (no headstands, shoulderstands, etc). And of course, if you feel dizzy, rest! Everyone’s capabilities fluctuate daily. Don’t be discouraged if you find it difficult to do something that was easy last week. I feel that the same thoughts apply to pole. I wont practice inverts if it’s early in my cycle; I’ll work on climbing and spins instead…I hope this is helpful!
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Oh, also for food- I agree red meat if you eat meat. If not- I would eat high-iron veggies. Or, perhaps try a multivitamin with iron. I think dark greens are good for iron, but I’m not a nutrition expert, so don’t take my word on it…
🙂
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I get super weak while on my period. I think the hormones just cause fatigue. I can't pole on my period. It's impossible for me to do as well, and I sweat like crazy. I think it is normal.
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I also feel weak during my period, sometimes I feel exhausted actually, and I think it also has to do with the fact that I am anemic and have been a vegetarian for a very long time… I avoid exercises on my 1st and 2nd days of the period, or just exercise lightly and I do not invert.
When I did yoga, instructors would always say "don't do this if you are menstruating" or show variations of moves, so I think yoga has a tradition of respecting women's cycles in this respect. I have never heard people saying not to invert when poling if menstruating, but I applied the same logic in this respect. In any case, I think our bodies respond to food, exercise, period, stress (well, everything) differently so we need to listen to our bodies and respect our limits.
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Everyone has good advice…I feel fine during my period so I exercise, pole and do yoga with no problems. I have more troubles when I am ovulating, gets painful. I do think the most important thing is to listen to your body always. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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Thank you ladies! I didn't go to the studio yesterday as it was day 2, I felt guilty to rest but I think it was for the best.
I'm going back today and hopefully everything will be ok!
I always listen to my body but I have such a lazzy nature that sometimes I just want to give myself a kick in the butt, I guess this was not the time to do it!
Thanks for your advice! Have a great day!!
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Sounds like you may be anemic. Do you have heavy menstrual periods? Have you checked your blood levels? I agree with the above. Eat high-iron foods, or even take an iron pill since you're vegetarian.
And remember, child's pose! 🙂
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Thank you for sharing ideas….
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