I am new at yoga and am wondering if drinking to much caffeine can hinder you during yoga class. Last night, I felt my legs were to shaky but it could be because they are just worn out.
Hi Angel, my legs get very shaky during Yoga too, I think that is a common experience when using your leg muscles intensively and/or in new ways.
Too much of anything is seldom a good idea. Too much caffeine could make you feel jittery and get heart palpitations. By “too much” I then mean above your usual intake. If you are used to drinking coffee then I see no harm in consuming your regular amount unless you are habitually drinking unusually large amounts. Did you have strong coffee right before class ?
Many people believe that caffeine should be completely avoided, I personally do not agree with that and I believe in the studies showing that moderate amounts of coffee have health benefits. I think the best way could be for you to be aware of how much caffeine you drink and then experiment to see if you feel better with less or none.
If you habitually do not consume it, then I think you should avoid it before Yoga as to not upset your usual balance.
It depends on how sensitive you are to caffeine. It’s normal to be shaky during Yoga. Unless your having heart palpitations or anxiety attacks, I don’t see why you should worry too much about having a coffee.
Hi Angel.
The answer depends on how you value two things; the sanctity of your adrenal glands and the presence of vital minerals in your body.
If neither of these is of value and the student isn’t concerned about the nature of their nervous system, their prostate, the ability to inherently be calm, and so forth…then that student can consume as they see fit (understanding the potential consequences).
If on the other hand these things seem more important to the student than a buzz to keep them awake when what the body actually needs is rest, then I’d advise that student to avoid consuming caffeine, without stressing to be perfect, of course.
And it is absolutely NOT normal to be shaky in the practice of asana. I’ve been teaching for over a decade and this is a sign of one of two things; an overdoing on the part of the student or a dysfunction in the nervous system. Rarely is it purely muscular and it is never a desired result in asana. Of course no sane person on the path of yoga desires to be “normal” as that is so clearly an acceptance of mediocrity.
Some shakiness is normal, as long as you don’t start out that way, wouldn’t you say Gordon? On occasion, the muscles will begin to tire and you may start feeling a little shaky when they are under stress, say holding an asana that requires some muscle strength. I’ve had it happen myself, but no, it’s not normal for it to happen all the time. Being that you are new to doing the yoga asanas, I would think it is probably because your muscles just aren’t used to the activity and yes they were getting worn out.
And I do have to concur with Gordon on the caffeine.
Agree with IA on caffeine issue.
Shakiness - if you’re very new and haven’t got much core strength, yes, it is very common to experience some shakiness. It may be that you are using your sleeve muscles for support instead of using core muscles. It could also be that you aren’t thinking about grounding a firm foundation in a posture. Are you sinking into the balls of your feet? into your heels?
While shaky might be common, it isn’t desirable. Next time it happens, check in to see whether you’re breathing steadily. If you’re not, you’re over-doing it. In which case, back off by 10 %. See what happens.
I’m not sure what you mean by “as long as you don’t start out that way”. Does that refer to the first week of one’s practice or the first ten minutes of today’s practice? Perhaps it means in the first few breaths of this pose in today’s practice?
And again that “normal” phrase 
Does it happen? Yes it does and I intervene with those students who are shaking. So I believe this is covered by the first of my two scenarios; overdoing. Muscle contraction (here referencing eccentric and isometric) when done in excess can fatigue the central nervous system. I cannot think of a musculo-skeletal “benefit” from continuing contraction when the muscle is trembling. Working, yes. Trembling, no.
So while it may occur it is not something I advocate in my classes or my personal practice. Others may feel differently.
Hi Angel.
Tired muscles can feel shaky and weak, and if they’re not used to getting much exercise, then it can happen sooner rather than later. You’ve pushed the muscles to their point of fatigue and need to give them a rest.
Feeling shaky and weak is something a little different than twitching muscles. If your muscles are involuntarily contracting and relaxing, those are fasciculations. Twitching muscles, or fasciculating muscles, can be caused by caffeine as well as any other stimulant like decongestants, some asthma inhalers or Ritalin. Other causes are dehydration and low magnesium. Lower the caffeine intake, eat a banana a day and stay hydrated!
As far as whether or not yoginis and yogis ought to be drinking coffee, I just posted a new blog on [B]theYogadr.com[/B]: Is Coffee Anti-Yoga?
My motto is everything in moderation. I drink coffee in the morning. Just one cup. I enjoy it. Moderation.
While Gordon stated the negative effects of caffeine, there are some positive. Recent research has shown that people who drink a moderate amount of coffee are less likely to develop dementia, parkinsons, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and heart conditions.
So again, moderation is the key.
And Gordon, a question:
If it is overdoing on the part of the student, would that not be muscular in nature? If the muscle (or group of) is not strong enough to perform the task at hand, is it not common for that muscle to spasm as it is trying to maintain the load?
Hi Angel:),
I’ve switched to drinking more of the fruity herbal tea varieties…almost exclusively just these past few weeks.Twinnings etc…that kind of thing.Sometimes Yogitea.A lot better for you,refreshing,hydrating & toxin-free.
Now the Q. :-
I am new at yoga and am wondering if drinking to much caffeine can hinder you during yoga class. Last night, I felt my legs were to shaky but it could be because they are just worn out.
You should find the deeeper you go in sadhana or asana the more such things that your body does’nt need begin to gradually fall away naturally and with less effort, i.e resistance.
Shaking could be a symptom of nervous system purification and probably quite common to someone new to asana or postures…
It is easier to say how much caffeine is not okay for good health and everyone can tolerate different & varying amounts.
Now, if you are a beginner just starting out with asana, i would consider not drinking it near your practice time. Consider waiting at least an hour or avoid.There are’nt any rules; more guidedlines.One is either moving towards greater and greater purification or somewhere in between or moving away from it. The coffeee would come under dietary considerations encapsulated in the second limb of ashtanga yoga under [I]santosha[/I] , i think they call it, or bodily purity.
As i say the more you practice the more such things like these begin to fall away naturally…one gravitates more towards healthier living or lifestyle choices and away from those that don’t serve us or not so well…
The shaking could have been exacerbated by the coffee consumption or it could be caused by a compound of many variables, so it could be any number of reasons… Just keep on practicing with attention to safety and effect , learning good habits, and pacing your own self-development & self-transformation…
Just to add here that shakiness is probably quite common in someone new to practicing asana. If you’ve cultivated and developed any kind of home practice then you are doing really well.You just carry on what you’re dooing assuming it is working, perhaps makes you feel great etc etc ,while self-pacing.
Consider dropping the coffee or drinking less of it if you feeel able.
[QUOTE=core789;53992]The coffeee would come under dietary considerations encapsulated in the second limb of ashtanga yoga under santosha , i think they call it, or bodily purity.
[/QUOTE]
As a slight technical correction here. One of the niyamas, second '-anga' or limb, i meant to refer to Saucha, or bodily purity.. Santosha loosely translates instead for contentment another component of the second limb.
If you understand all the limbs (typically eight in number) and how they will interconnect you can make better sense of your practice..