Back problems?
49F and I’ve been doing hot yoga for about a decade. My original studio had traditional teachers (lock your knees!). Covid shut it down and my new studio is much more relaxed. But with my foundational years in the traditional, my practice didn’t change much (still heard all the old cues in my head) - except I started losing my range in some postures over the last couple of years. Sometimes I couldn’t even pull myself up from supine position bc my lower back hurt so bad.
So I went to an orthopedic dr and found out I have arthritis in my L4/5. Now I don’t think it’s from yoga alone - my body is older! But also, I think I was just pushing myself too hard (aggressive end-range back bending) and likely some improper technique that was never corrected.
Hot yoga has been of my most important therapeutic tools and I’ve paused it for now. I’m doing PT almost every day along with strength training to target my core, glutes, and hips. My goal is to get back in the hot room, but with less pain while not repeating my old mistakes.
Any other hot yoga long timers find themselves in a similar position? How did you get back?