Feeling awful after Astanga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi everyone,
I am a newbie to posting here, and thanks for taking the time it.

I am 34, and have been doing Astanga yoga for 4 months, twice a week. (with a fantastic group of experienced teachers)
I am not a very fit or flexible person, and dont exercise. I am quite active however, with 2 small children.
At first, I was very sore from class to class, which was fine.
I sweat profusely in each class, and should mention here, that I am a smoker. For the last month or so, I have noticed that I am feeling dreadful the day after my class. Tired/lazy/fatigued, very flat, even a little depressed. Muscles are tender, but lower back hurts. ( I have a history of back and neck issues, from car accident)

I am wondering why? I go to evening classes (mornings to hectic with kids). I am thinking its a detoxification process… Has anyone else had this happen? I am trying to drink as much water as I can, but am perhaps getting a little lazy there too. It is summer here, and has been stiflingly hot.

Any ideas? Thanks again…
x

#2

you are definitely experiencing intense detox. the profuse sweating coupled with the twists and binds massaging your inner organs and inversions pumping your lymphatic system are going to really rid your body of toxins-unfortunately this feels awful before it feels really great.
i’d say up the water intake, get an additional class or two in during the week and stop smoking. you’ll start to come out on the fabulous side of detoxing in no time and can really appreciate your growing ashtanga practice after that.

#3

As we learn from the practice of Yoga, the practice itself should not be balanced but rather balancING. And having practiced for some years one hopefully begins to view life in a yogic context - one of balance, and a myriad of possibilities, some directly opposite others.

With a regular practice it would be a bit unusual to be experiencing ramifications of toxins at the 4 month mark. However it is not impossible. And, in this case, it is exacerbated by the lifestyle of the student which includes but is not limited to the use of tobacco. However, maintaining hydration and eating well are always sound nutritional principals.

It is also possible that your practice does not suit you or your living or even the current season. People who live fiery lives are, for the most part, not balanced by a fiery practice just as people who are sloth-like are rarely balanced by moving only one muscle at a time.

Try adjusting the formula of your living. Make a couple of changes - perhaps even reducing your frequency of attendance thus giving your muscles a chance to recover. The primary series (which I presume is the series you are doing) are the same postures each time and so you’re not likely to be working different muscles each day, but the same ones over and over and your bod may need additional time for recovery.

#4

What about your diet? With kids taking up your time and with the habit of smoking you’ve related, is it also possible that you are not eating well? Fueling the body makes a huge difference. Less fats and sugars, more antioxidant rich food and supplements, limit caffeine. Drink lotsa H2O before class but otherwise you might find practicing on an empty stomach helps. ( I like to eat a couple bananas for the potassium before class).

Is it also possible that you have an iron deficiency resulting in anemia, or another health issue that could make you feel poorly?

I also sweat profusely in practice and I like it. Some people think that sweating a lot in any exercise is good because it flushes toxins. I don’t know if toxins are actually flushed in the sweat but I do believe that if your body is sweating than fluids are moving and that is almost always a good thing if you replenish.

#5

I have one other point. If the only formal excercise you are doing is two astanga classes (I am assuming they are 75 - 90 minutes each.) It may be that you are asking your body to do too much, but not often enough. I struggle with this all the time because once I am practicing I want to go go go, yet I struggle to have the discipline needed to practice consistently several times a week. You might find that practicing 30 -45 minutes 3 or 4 times a week will help you get into condition more effectively and with less fatigue.

#6

It is as always very difficult to give advice over the internet,but a few thoughts that come to mind
Ashtanga is designed to be done six days a week never on a full moon ,Its a tough ask,but that is the format the recently passed guru was offering,this is fine if you dont have lots of other responsibilities,it is an exhausting practice especially at first.To me even doing the primary series,It can be like going on a long hard run very fast,twice a week without doing anything else to support that run,the body is going to be in shock,the practice is maybe out of balance,so as Gordon offers maybe do less,or at least check that you are approaching the practice with softness and kindness towards your being.
Paradoxically you could try doing the practice as it is prescribed by the main teachers of this method and do more,This though requires serious dedication.
Or ,against the advice of pathabi jois (I do hope Im not misunderstanding him,but he did suggest we do not mix methods) Supplement and support your yoga with a practice that is restorative and nurturing,Lying with your legs up the wall ,or over a bolster ,might not make you sweat but it is very much yoga,and what a lot of us need.Find an experienced teacher that can help with such a practice.
Another thought is ,could it be that you are feeling flat and depressed,and the practice is highlighting this?
I like the advice given by does the dog" do more, less"and as always the advice given by Gordon.
Good wishes on your journey

#7

Wow,
Thankyou very much for all of your input.
I am going to give my body the chance to recover fully, before going back to class. I will still do them twice a week, but I have the opportunity to spread them apart further. From Tues/Thur to Mon/Thur.
I havent done any yoga for 5 days, and my back is feeling better, but mentally and physically I am craving it. So I will attempt to do 20 minutes at home daily, and ease into it.
Nutritionally, I try to eat well. There is always room for improvement though. Last year, I removed caffeine and sugar from my diet, and felt amazing for it. But lately, the odd coffee and chocolate have been sneaking back in. I will crack down on that again. Smoking is my next big challenge. I tried hypnotherapy last month, with a disappointing result, but am preparing to try again soon.
I always perform yoga on an empty stomach, but, often forget to hydrate BEFORE class.
You have all given me some things to think about, thankyou very much, and I shall let you know how it goes with some changes.