Named after its founder, Bikram yoga refers to a specific series of 26 yoga poses performed in a room heated to around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The intense heat not only allows for greater flexibility, but also encourages the excretion of harmful toxins through sweat. Since Bikram yoga is so intense, the practice is not encouraged for everyone. In fact, Bikram yoga can be extremely unsafe for chemotherapy patients.
Dangers of Bikram
Bikram yoga is generally not recommended for people with certain medical conditions or undergoing specific medical treatments, including chemotherapy. Many chemotherapy patients experience incredible fatigue, which only worsens with additional treatment cycles. For these people, the physical demands of Bikram yoga may be too much to handle. Additionally, some chemotherapy patients develop neuropathy as a result of the harsh treatments. Although symptoms of neuropathy vary, some people with the condition might experience loss of balance and/or loss of feeling in the fingers and toes. When these symptoms occur, holding the balanced poses of Bikram yoga become increasingly more difficult. To avoid injury, patients with neuropathy should avoid balanced yoga postures.
Chemotherapy & Fever
Since chemotherapy treatments cause a diminished white blood cell count in the body, patients are more susceptible to infection. For this reason, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments must constantly watch for signs of infection. One of the first signs of an infection inside the body is a fever. In fact, the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center suggests that chemotherapy patients with a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher should immediately seek medical attention. After practicing Bikram yoga, the body's internal temperature becomes extremely elevated. As a result, cancer patients cannot accurately monitor their temperatures. If a legitimate fever has developed after a Bikram yoga session, a chemotherapy patient might simply attribute the fever to the heated workout.
Safety Tips
Although Bikram yoga is generally not recommended for chemotherapy patients, speak with your physician if you still want to attempt the heated workout. Once your doctor has cleared you for Bikram yoga, pay close attention to your body throughout the yoga session. Avoid dehydration by taking small drinks of water at least every 10 minutes. Additionally, wear light clothes that allow your skin to breathe. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, lightheaded, weak or extremely fatigued, stop practicing immediately. Lie down on your mat or leave the heated room until you feel better.
Yoga Recommendations
Rather than attempting Bikram yoga, chemotherapy patients should simply participate in regular yoga sessions. With its gentle stretches and mind-body connection, yoga can be extremely beneficial for chemotherapy patients. As a result of the disease and its treatments, many cancer patients experience fatigue, anxiety and stress. However, yoga promotes total body relaxation and the release of anxiety and stress. Although regular yoga sessions tend to be safer than Bikram yoga, chemotherapy patients should still pay close attention to their bodies throughout the practice.
References
- Yoga Journal: Facing the Heat
- ABC Of Yoga: Bikram Yoga - The 26 Pose Yoga in Heat
- Bikram Yoga: Frequently Asked Questions
- University of California at San Francisco Medical Center: Coping with Chemotherapy
- ABC 36 WTVQ-TV: Yoga for Chemo Patients
- National Cancer Institute: Guidelines Urge Exercise for Cancer Patients, Survivors
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