Hot Bikram Yoga for Fibromyalgia?

I’d been resisting it for some time.

Yoga.

I can’t tell you how many times friends and acquaintances have mentioned it as a possible aid in managing symptoms of fibromyalgia and depression.

No matter where I turned, it kept coming back to face me, haunting me almost:-/

Then I met Paul, a strong advocate of Bikram Yoga. He talked about it and its benefits so fervently, showed so much commitment to it and even asked if I’d attend classes if he signed me up.

It was getting ridiculous, the way yoga kept following me.

Then, unexpectedly, one day, I signed up.

I got to the ‘hot’ Bikram Yoga class and the moment I set foot in the room of 40 degrees Celsius with Japanese posed yogis, I wanted to run out screaming.

The heat

I’d always hated the heat. I used to live in 32 degrees celcius daily, sweating like a little piggy on the island of Trinidad; feeling dizzy all the time and passing out. 40 degrees was going to kill me. Surely.

A slim 50-something year old woman strutted in smiling and eventually it started.

I was among a full class with people of all shapes, sizes and ages in their most decent underwear basically.

I was miserable, and apprehensive about attempting this with my level of chronic exhaustion. But I tried to be patient regardless. After what seemed like eternity I felt incredibly proud that I’d gotten so far.

And then the teacher said, ‘well done, we just finished warming up.’ :-/

Brrr?

I had to sit out a couple postures when I got too dizzy and felt like I couldn’t continue anymore. But I wasn’t the only one.

I wanted to pour my bottle of water over my head right there in the studio.

I was happy when teacher said ‘Namaste’ and the class was over. One girl seemed happier than me and clapped.

Observations

I didn’t think I’d return but by the second class it became a little easier. Every class has been different depending on the teacher. I started enjoying it with my second instructor, an encouraging, humorous lass who sang to us in the end. I started to feel good. Tomorrow I’ll go again.

I noticed unlike other times when I’ve exercised (or tried to) my body wasn’t sore or achy. Yes I felt dead after the initial class but I managed to make it home and get ready to go out later in the evening (a major feat).

My other observation was that suddenly my bowels have been much freer. Hint hint.

I was tired enough to fall asleep in the night and though I still woke up often, I got more sleep than usual.

I’ve only ever been able to manage 9 minutes of exercise at home with a break in between and then I’d collapse. Somehow I’ve been managing 90 minute classes of Bikram Yoga.

This has taken me by surprise.

Bikram Yoga is credited with all sorts of health benefits, physical and mental, which improve with every class. Admittedly, I’m not dying to go back into that furnace to exert myself, but I am anxious about reaping the possible benefits.

I’ll be attending classes for the next 20 days (in my underwear).

Wish me luck!

Thank you Paul.

Gentle hugs 🙂