Bikram Yoga & TCM

A few notes on the change of the weather, your Bikram practice and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Autumn is the time of the Metal element and the organs associated with metal are the Lungs/L.I.

The lung qi controls the opening and closing of the pores and the immune defence systems, called Wei Qi, which circulates internally and also on the surface of the skin. External cold is considered a pathogen in TCM and even though it might feel good to go outside into the cold without covering up, it’s probably the worst thing you can do right after your practice. Heat increases circulation and cold slows it down. Not only will you be reversing the movement generated by your practice, with your pores open, you have no immune defence. Cold penetrates easily and will stiffen the muscles and joints causing aches and pain and limited range of movement. It can easily invade the lung and cause a common cold. After savasana in these cooler months, to avoid the afore mentioned ailments, wrap a towel around you and always put on your layers before leaving the studio.
During your Bikram practice the pores open and the sweat rolls out. Sweat contains water, proteins, lactic acids, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, a lot of trace elements. In fact its composition is quite akin to plasma. In TCM, sweat is thought of as the fluid of the heart. Fluids of any organ make up the Yin aspect of the organs. When the heart Yin and Yang is in balance, consciousness will be clear, calm and peaceful.

Excessive sweating, as one would experience during 4 or more Bikram practices a week or in a 30 day or 60 day challenge can start to diminish the Yin aspect of the heart. When this happens people can start to experience agitation, insomnia, poor memory and concentration, sometimes palpitations and anxiety and start to feel hot outside of class or at night or start to have a manic approach to your life. Menopausal symptoms in women can be exacerbated. If this is happening, it doesn’t mean you have to quit your practice or you are in danger, it just means that you need to find ways to support the Yin of your body.

If you are experiencing these symptoms or want to find out more about your body, TCM and Bikram practice, call Becky at Cloud Gate Therapeutics on 0424 949 962 to book a complimentary 30 min consultation at the studio.