Bikram: Tired after Bikram Practice

Lately, I have been feeling wiped out after my Birkam practice.  I've felt this post-practice fatigue before. It became one of the factors driving me away from Bikram so long ago.  I didn't get how some many people went on about being so energized after practice when it was all I could do was get out of my sweat drenched clothes and into some pajamas before I collapsed crossways on my bed.  This time, instead of living with the fatigue or trying to work through it (Hey! I've got things to do plus my husband complains when I lay around and watch TV which, honestly, is all I could manage to do after a Bikram session), I would investigate and get to the bottom of this.

As I researched, I began to remember that the post workout fatigue didn't happen only after Bikram but also when I performed any high intensity sweat-inducing exercise.  After a long run, I often found myself in the same condition--near comatosed or at least needing a long nap to recover.  Same thing with long bike rides. What I learned was what everyone else seem to already know.  It's not enough to be properly hydrated; though it's very important.  Our bodies also need to maintain adequate electrolyte levels.


When the body loses too much salt we can experience symptoms of moderate hyponatremia which include fatigue, cramping, headaches, and nausea.  This usually happens when a person drinks excessive amounts of water or participates in activities that cause excessive sweating.  Sound familiar?  I drink tons of water throughout the day and I avoid salt in my diet then on top of all of that I go to Bikram and sweat enough to fill a bucket.

Potassium, one of the body's most inportant minerals, is used to regulate our sodium or salt levels. If we don't have enough salt the body gets rid of the potassium through urination (If we have too much salt, for that matter, the potassium combines with the sodium and is released from the body through urination).  So, if you're depleting your sodium level by drinking loads of water and sweating, then you're body is dumping potassium as well.  This leads to low potassium levels which causes us to experience muscle cramps, dizziness and general fatigue.

Both potassium and sodium are a part of a group of electrically charged minerals called electrolytes.  Other minerals include: salt (sodium chloride), potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate of soda, phosphate, sulfate. The job of electrolytes is to conduct electrical signals or impulses in the body that control muscle contraction and nerve impulses. Sweating excessively makes it difficult to maintain  adequate electrolyte levels which leads to the unfortunates symptoms I've mentioned so far.

So what can help?

Here are some solutions that I've come across:

• Salt and potassium tabletsOne of these tablets before and after bikram class can help with the salt and potassium deficiency.  Some studios keep these on hand. (credit: www.bikramyoga.com)
• Coconut WaterContains high levels of potassium and antioxidants. Again, some studios sell these but they can be costly.
• Liquimins Electrolyte Stamina Power PakThis particular brand contains 1200 mg of Vitamin C, and most of the major electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, chloride and sodium), plus  ionic trace minerals.

I tried the Stamina Power Pak

I decided on the Power Pak based on user reviews of the product.  Also I could not find much information on salt and potassium tablets or the information was confusing. There are prescription grade tablets and there are over the counter tablets--which are right for me? The tablets didn't seem to be as chocked full of goodness as the Electrolyte powder either.  As for the coconut water.  I've tried it.  I like the taste well enough but it's just too expensive.

I mixed a packet of  Liquimins Electolyte Stamina Power to six ounces of water before my yoga class.  I felt a difference right away and I allowed for the fact that it could have been the power of suggestion or placebo effect.  I was eager to get in the room and get going. I felt kind of stoked.  But when I laid down to settle myself and center myself for class, I found I was suffering a case of Monkey Mind (or Mind Monkey).  It was a little hard to focus and bring my mind into the room.  During the practice, my mind kept leaving the room thus destroying my balance postures. But physically I felt good. I felt energetic.  I mixed another packet of the electrolytes in another water after class.

Overall I felt better following a Bikram class than I have in weeks.  I think once I acclimate to the increased mental energy, this may be the way to go for me.   I'll try it for a week and check back in.

More on Electrolytes
MedlinePlus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002350.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fluidandelectrolytebalance.html