Body Heat Flushes when doing a lot of Yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

HI,

I am creating this thread to see if anyone else experiences what I call Yoga Flushes.

I have been doing different sorts of yoga for 10 years but have been mainly been practicing Heated Vinyasa Flow yoga at Core Power Yoga for the past 2 years.

I have gone back and forth between practicing very often (6-8 times a week) and less often (2-4 times a week).

Whenever I practice very often (as I have been recently since I am doing a teacher training program) I start developing these yoga flushes.

They don’t happen during yoga class, or at least not that I can tell. They happen TOTALLY randomly throughout the day. I’ll be sitting at my desk at work and all of a sudden it is like someone has heated my blood and made it flow faster through my body.

I feel it all over, but especially in my upper body/face.

It is a pleasant sensation-not unpleasant at all. It is just a bit unnerving. It sortof feels like when you are VERY embarrassed and your face flushes, but it is a full body thing. It also compares to the heat you feel in a heated yoga class (inner heat created by pranayama and asana versus the actual heat in the room).:o

It usually lasta a few minutes, slowly subsiding, and then sometimes returns again later in the daym and sometimes doesn’t…

It is really hard to describe and I have never heard anyone else speak about it before.

Like I said- it isn’t unpleasant at all-just a bit strange.

Has anyone ever experienced something like this? Does anyone have any insight into this feeling?

Thank you! Namaste!

InannaStar:)

#2

Hello.

I have no experience of what you are describing, however …

I would like to congratulate you on your excellent discernment. You describe your experience very well (hot flushes) as well as a possible cause (higher frequency of hot power yoga practice). All you need to do is to apply your discernment to act in the direction of what is most appropriate for your bodymind. What are you truely seeking in yoga, and how will you get there?

[U]One[/U] possible explanation: The hot flushes could be a pitta symptom (too much heat). Your practice is likely to overstimulate pitta (too much heat). Too much rajas. What does this tell you about your practice? Do you need to modify your practice to find more balance?

P.S. Talk to your teacher. If (s)he is running a teachers training program, (s)he should know.

#3

Hi there Inanna!
I believe that I know what you are talking about. I am a Bikram yoga instructor, and both before and during my yoga training, I started to experience something really similar.
While in normal temperatures, I would get goosebumps over my body occasionally (moreso when I was first starting out and working very hard in the hot room to change my body). I sometimes used to get tingles all over my body along with these symptoms. It would go away after a few minutes, leaving me feeling very good. Some of my friends at my teacher training felt the heat flashes like you describe. Ive gotten a few of those nature as well- it’s like an ‘energy rush’.
I believe it is your kundalini energy starting to rise. =) It’s a good sign! It means your practice is very effective!
If the symptoms are stressing you out, I recommend taking some cooling breaths, or even just focusing on your breathing to center your awareness back in the basics…however, I say enjoy it and flow with it! =) You might also try some chakra opening visualizations when experiencing this heat to help direct the energy that your Self is raising.
I wish you brightest blessings and joy!
Namaste,
Andi

#4

I’m not a Bikram yoga instructor.

The symptoms you are describing are similar to hot flashes experienced by (pre-) menopausal women. Sometimes they are experienced by younger women prior to or during menstruation. Although their cause is not understood, hot flashes occur when the body?s temperature control center (pituitary gland) is disturbed. A hot flash is a method by which the body tries to get rid of excess heat. I have yet to meet a lady who likes them.

There have been occasions when my own yoga practice has brough up ?medical? symptoms. A simple example: heart burn when practicing bhastrika (bellows breath) too soon after a meal. In those cases, my reaction has always been to modify my practice to restore health. I never thought that the symptoms were signs of impending enlightenment, rising kundalini or a token that I was on the right path. In my opinion, both yoga and ayurveda are meant to create equilibrium in the doshas and harmony in the bodymind (sattva). But, then again, it?s a free world.

#5

girl, just go see the doctor…flushes might be not correlated with your yoga practice

#6

Hello, I have been practicing hot yoga for about 8 months. I started getting hot flashes a couple of months ago. I take hormaone therapy and have been checked. The flashes happen throughtout the day and night. Whenever I stretch one will happen. Does anyone out there experience the same thing?

#7

I practice power yoga in a heated room once a week, and home with podacasts twice a week. The following day after class, I will have a similar experience. My face will become hot like i am in class, but will subside within minutes. However, i do not experience this sensation after my home practice.

#8

Are the flashes comparable to the heat you feel during meditation? I had to practice it many weeks three times a day, now I can think “warmth” and my face, hands and feet feel warmer. As far as I know, this is due to relaxation and widening of the blood vessels, thus improved blood flow.

#9

I’m new to this forum and found this thread. I started yoga 4 weeks ago. And loving it except that it has caused my hot flashes to return with a VENGEANCE!!! I don’t usually have them during class, but rather all night long, all day long and they are FAR WORSE than before I started on bio-identical hormones! I get completely drenched in sweat!!! And I have not had a hot flash in 5 years until I started yoga!
I asked my teacher at Core Power Yoga, and I have called my doctor, and neither are sure what is happening. Will they eventually cease again?? I won’t do Hot Yoga (made that mistake once! lol)
Any in-sight would be VERY much appreciated!!
Kim

#10

I’ve been going to hot yoga for about 8 months now. My hot flashes came back again as well. I do think they are finally getting a little less frequent. I used to get cold all the time but not anymore. I believe my metabalism is just higher. Don’t be afraid of the hot yoga. I’m in my sixties. My first time I thought I would not make it but now look forward to it daily. I feel better, my back doesnt hurt, my mood is better. Any toxins in your body will be gone by the end of the class. I believe the main thing to do is stay hydrated -lots of water!! Good luck!

#11

Thanks YogaJean. Maybe once I feel more confident with my regular yoga, I can try the hot yoga again. It had me feeling light headed and nauseous …almost passed out. Even the regular class is “warm”. But I sincerely hope my hot flashes recede again soon. I was happily progressing through life having conquered those darn hot flashes and night sweats with my bio-identical therapy. I never imagined that yoga would somehow make them return and FAR WORSE than they ever were!! UGH

#12

You are welcome. A couple of things I have learned is not to eat within at least 2 hours before class. Lots of eltrolites. Lots of water at least an hour before class and don’t drink too much during class. (kind of gross - but if your urine is clear then you are hydrated) Breath slowly thru your nose rather than your mouth. And rehydrate after class. Also don’t be afraid to setout a pose or two during class. It’s your own workout so don’t compare yourself to others. Namaste!

#13

Of course this is borrowed knowledge but more than a few females with hot flashes to me they have reduced occurrences, duration and intensity of episodes by simply switching from dairy milk to soy milk, maybe worth a try.

#14

I have been experiencing hot flashes after they had stopped for many years since I started yoga 8 months ago. (age 64)
They don’t happen during practice (well, if they do, I don’t notice them because I’m warm), but could flush my whole body when I wake up, or middle of the night for a short period of time, no reason, then go away. Just had my yearly check up and everything looked fine.
I don’t do dairies, except aged cheese. Almond milk is my choice.
Maybe hormones kicking back again?