Tiredness

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I have been attending yoga classes for about 2 years 2 or 3 times a week (90 minute sessions). The classes I attend are vinyasa style and quite physically challenging

recently (in the last 4 months) I have been absolutely exhausted in the mornings. It seems to only happen the next day or 2 after I have attended a yoga class.

I recently went on holiday for 5 weeks and didnt do any yoga and I noticed a huge increase in my energy levels in the morning.

does anyone know what could be causing this? I am in good physical shape andI do not get this tiredness after other kinds of excercise workouts like running/cycling

#2

Hello Ben,

Welcome to the forum.

Even though your question seems to be about asana rather than yoga, I’ll answer the yoga question too.

The practice of asana only superficially appears to be akin to other fitness activities. However…
Yoga is not running and cycling. It is not swimming or soccer. It is not weight training or pilates. Yoga only contains a physical element, it is not, in and of itself a physical practice. But even if it were ONLY a physical practice it is not wysiwyg.

An asana practice is very potent and powerful. That potency can be fruitful or destructive. That potency can create balance or imbalance. Therefore the type of poses, the sequence and manner in which they are done, and the practitioner’s constitution can have varied effects on the student.

Have you asked this of the person you’ve chosen to teach you the practice over the past 2 years?

#3

[QUOTE=bencottrell;31760]

recently (in the last 4 months) I have been absolutely exhausted in the mornings. It seems to only happen the next day or 2 after I have attended a yoga class…

I am in good physical shape andI do not get this tiredness after other kinds of excercise workouts like running/cycling[/QUOTE]

So, I can see that in addition to your 3 times power yoga you are running and cycling. … MAYBE your body just tied and need a rest sometimes to repair natural wear an tear in the tissues.

What time do you wake up? and what time you go to bed?

#4

Does’nt sound right; I would review your practice.

And i would also agree the deeper yogas certainly are not the same as running or cycling which are generally energy depleting rather than energy promoting,cultivating.Although we all need to excercise yoga should go deeper otherwise there might be something up with our practice.

Perhaps just now is a time to embrace more yin (&/or relaxing) styles if you can find such a teacher as you might be just stoking whatever might be aggravating you.I think these styles might end up jus pandering to a certain restlessness wheras progress in yoga is usually made by getting rid of all of that.

I’m a great believer and convert of the full-scope approach beyond just asana-lifestyle,diet,mediation & pranayam though this is a view that one is lucky to cultivate over time with practice…Maybe your asan practice is like the weakest link in your yoga practice or it can only exist beneficially with other elements in their to support it as suggested.

I hope that makes sense.

#5

In the yoga paradigm ,there is possibly a physical and energetic explanation for and dimension to this (but both are inter-connected), i.e the tiredness.

I believe stagnant energy in the channels or pathways of the pranic body can manifest physically as increases in muscle tonus,which can of course be palpated for by touch as well as felt as general tiredness or sluggishness and diminution of awareness including sensory, particularly in those areas. But that could be just one explanation.

Your teacher should be able to help here,as this is the yoga he/she’s teaching.

#6

Does your yoga class incorperate meditation, breathing practice, etc…? is that something you wish to have in your practice? SOme teachers would say that too much asanas can lead to energetic imbalances if not properly balanced with breathing and meditation.

#7

I agree that you should look into a more relaxing style of yoga. Maybe try to alternate- do one restorative type yoga, one vinyasa per week, and see how that feels. Also, if possible, experiment with yoga at different times of the day and different teachers- it could be that your body prefers to practice in say, the evening rather than morning. Finding the right teacher for you could also really change things. Also, if you are sweating a lot, maybe try to have a banana right after class to re-balance the electrolytes. It could be something as simple as you sweat a lot and your electrolytes become imbalanced after a practice, therefore making you feel tired. Ya never know!!

There are so many potential reasons for your tiredness. Be patient with yourself and you’ll figure it out!