I experienced radiating heat from my hands and feet at times during Bikram yoga. What is the cause of this?
Bikram or hot yoga is performed in a room heated to 105°F. The strenuous workout coupled with the heat can cause some side effects. Beginners may experience nausea, dizziness and headaches. The feeling of heat radiating from the hands and feet may be caused by a combination of factors.
Holding any pose for a long time can result in a tingling sensation most commonly felt in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet and toes. This is caused by a lack of blood supply to a specific area as well as pressure exerted on the nerves in the region. This may be one of the reasons why you feel heat radiating from your hands and feet.
Another possible cause is the dehydration caused by working out in the intense heat which causes you to sweat profusely. Dehydration can result in electrolyte imbalances within the body which can result in cramps.
In all probability, it is a combination of both these factors that causes you to feel that heat is radiating out from your hands and feet. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you drink a lot of water before and after your session. Your instructor can help you to readjust your pose so that the tingling sensation goes away.
Submitted by C D on August 10, 2012 at 12:31
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