When the body warms, as it does during exercise, the skin sweats. Because the air outside has a low moisture content, our sweat evaporates and in the process removes vast quantities of heat from us.
When we are in hot surroundings, we sweat more to increase the cooling. When we add humidity to the room as we do in Bikram, the sweat is unable to evaporate from our skin. So we are stuck with a hot body from the exercise, a room that is hotter than our internal core temperature, and moisture in the air that prevents our body from cooling itself. What we end up with is warm muscles, yes, but also a rising body temperature and excessive sweating that dehydrates the body. We get a body that is in full cooling mode while we engage in a practice (Hatha Yoga) that is designed partially to generate heat. Have you ever noticed how animals deal with heat? They lay perfectly still for long periods of time, avoiding any motion that will generate internal heat.
Heat stroke and its precursors are very common in the Bikram room. Nausea, headache, cramping, light headedness, numbness, twitching lips and eyes. I have experienced all of these symptoms personally, including passing out in Camel Pose. I have been told that it is normal, it is fine.
As I learn more about the body, the yoga and the asana practice, I am disillusioned with the extreme heat. I do not need a hot room to stretch my muscles or warm my body.
No comments:
Post a Comment