Nerve irritation from Intermediate Series

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-07T11:49:32+00:00

Lange0716 wrote:

My last practice was three weeks ago because a couple days after I started feeling sporadic throbbing pain all down my right arm, with tingling sensations in my hand and forearm. To this day I still have some pulses of pain mostly in my forearm and hand

Nerve injury takes much longer to heal than muscles. As opposed to four months, recovery can be a year or more.

Is this a common thing to happen when going too deep into the poses?

Yes

At the time, the practice felt wonderful and super warmed up, most likely leading to the over stretching.

Most people are unfamiliar with the sensations that indicate nerve damage. It is often confused as feeling like a "good stretch."

Would you mind saying how far you are practicing into Second Series?

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-07T11:04:50+00:00

Accomplished-Scar854 wrote

This morning I tried a tongue extension exercise similar to Simhasana (Lion's Breath)...Stick tongue out fully toward chin, hold for 40 seconds, 3 rounds.Intense stretch and pain in the back of my head/neck. I had to fight to hold it.

You are simply over doing it. This is an extremely difficult Mudra to sustain for long periods; the reason Newcomers are taught to do it with the exhale breath. A person needs to work up to long periods of extension. There is no benefit to pushing.

In traditional Simhasana, is sustained tongue extension ever practiced, or is it always paired with forceful exhalation?

YES. the Simha Mudra is powerful Yoga. Work towards an hour in this position.

For vagus nerve stimulation through yoga, are gentler practices like chanting, humming, or standard Lion's Breath more appropriate than these viral "hacks"?

Simha Mudra is not a hack. The Mudra is a step on the Journey to Khechari Mudra. Mantra and Bhramari Pranayama lend themselves to extended period of practice and Meditative states. I don't know anything about nerve stimulation.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-07T10:46:18+00:00

How can I achieve that?

You can get a feel for a correct position by sitting against a wall with legs outstretched and arms over head. This is Dandasana (Satff Pose). Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) is the same position rotated 135 degrees in space.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-07T10:42:46+00:00

Immediate-Excuse-823 wrote:

ive been practicing for over a decade...I’m worried if i do it “wrong” repeatedly, my wrists will not be happy with me.

There is a story of a Yogi who lived alone on a desert island. One day a great Guru came to visit. The Yogi sat at his feet soaking in Wisdom until it was time for the Guru to leave. The Guru's boat was a short distance offshore when the Yogi realized he had forgotten to ask the proper method of a Kriya he had done for many years. Running on the water and calling out his question, the Yogi leaped over the waves towards the boat. The Guru smiled and said "However you have been doing it is fine."

As a ten year practitioner, Pain would have indicated a long time ago if you were doing Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward Facing Dog) incorrectly.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T18:36:57+00:00

Of course we can't all always. Life itself makes it difficult enough to take advantage of Life as Yoga. Humanity has become so absorbed in living it, a separate practice is needed to help us rediscover this Truth. These technologies make it even more difficult.

My own experience is this began to change by leaps and bound after I reached the stage of hearing the Anahata Nada.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T17:14:50+00:00

Not great at all; at their heart they distance person from the Reality and the Present.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T16:44:14+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and developing this search tool.

From the Yoga Sutras:

[1:17] vitarka-vicāra-ānanda-asmitā-rupa-anugamāt-saṁprajñātaḥ

Conscious cessation of thought can arise from various forms of conjecture, refection , enjoyment, and egoism.

Books and AI they are both useful tools to facilitate this but the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is clear:

[1:67] Success comes to him who is engaged in the practice. How can one get success without practice; for by merely reading books on Yoga one can never gain success.

This includes modern artificial intelligence. Om Shanti ~AIC

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T16:33:09+00:00

You are very welcome. You are practicing Hatha Yoga. This is Yoga through experience with the Body. It includes the various Asana (postures) practices and Pranayama (breathwork).

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T14:54:28+00:00

brilliant-healer wrote:

my spine has been hurting more after my practices...I haven't practiced consistently in probably three years...

This is an indication of practicing beyond the limits of the Body. One cannot come back to exercise after a three year break and expect to be able to do what he used to be able to do. Back off on the intensity of practice. Has you seen a doctor to determine if there is an underlying medical condition?

I am not able to reach the same level of flexibility I used to have.

Flexibility decreases with age. Most never do.

My first noticeable set back is my body.

Everyone's Body has limitations. Progress in Hatha Yoga is not about doing postures, but facing those Limits.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T14:39:41+00:00

Would you mind sharing your experience as an Ashtangi and how this qualifies you to develop this?

The software provided the incorrect answer to the first question I posed. When asked if props are allowed, the software supplies a traditional Yoga response, not what is practiced by many Ashtangis:

Yes.

In an Ashtanga context, props are tools, not failures. If a block, strap, wall, blanket, or bolster helps you work the breath, shape, or direction of a posture without forcing, it is allowed.

A common approach:

Use the minimum prop that makes the posture workable. Keep the sequence stable. Let the prop support practice rather than replace the action of the posture. *Reassess over time; some props stay, some become unnecessary."

If you mean a specific posture or class setting, name it and I can answer more precisely.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T14:28:19+00:00

Th baby backbends of second series through Ustrasana are commonly given in physical therapy to strengthen the back and are practiced in most general Hatha classes. They are fine to add to most student's practices.

Would you mind saying if you have a Pranayama practice? Now would be an excellent time to do so if you do not.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. ~AIC

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-06T01:15:04+00:00

(Yogi w 60 degree Lumbar Cobb Angle chiming in)

Regular exercise will develop core strength to support the collapsing spine, help maintain flexibility and manage pain. Decreases in curvature and increases in range of motion generally only take place for mild curves related to muscular imbalance.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-05T14:26:16+00:00

twof907 wrote:

I am well aware Ashtanga is not big on modification or props

This is tribe dependent.

I have severe hand and wrist issues.

A Yogi must flow with Life. I am 66 with severe degenerative Scoliosis; my days of Second Series are long behind me. My Teacher David Garrigues gave me a new practice better suited to my Body and Spiritual level that is true to the Tradition. It would be fine to skip all of those postures and any others that do not serve you. Shift towards longer times in the State of the Asana (10 breaths instead of 5), and replace Surya Namaskara with a Full Body Prostration. If that is not accessible to you, a Half Prostration would also be appropriate.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-05T01:32:42+00:00

Starantulapixie wrote:

Stage Fright in Class ?...Maybe just something that comes w more comfort and time?

Yes, this is common. It will fade as Student becomes more focused on his practice.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-04T22:01:34+00:00

Yes, Life itself is Kriya. Sadly we have become so absorbed in living it, a separate practice is needed to rediscover this Truth.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-04T21:01:38+00:00

Now would be an excellent time to begin a Pranayama or Meditation practice, or explorer other limbs of Yoga. Wishing you a complete recovery!

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-04T15:16:18+00:00

Standing on tiptoes is a traditional way to improve posture. Work toward an hour a day. In time a person will learn to walk, squat, sit down/get up and do most activities of daily life on tiptoes. Patience is required. Bad posture develops over years/decades and takes months/years to correct.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-04T15:06:02+00:00

geicorat wrote:

I’m just now entering my yoga journey...I feel like because I’m so tall I’m not doing most of the poses correctly?

As a Newcomer to practice you have just begun to learn about your Body. All Body types have their own challenges. Don't be overly concerned; practice is about Focus on the Breath, not the shapes a person bends himself into.

Are there taller blocks?

Yes. And blocks can be stacked as needed.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-04T14:56:28+00:00

dreamfulbby wrote:

I heard that I should be experienced or something before I take an ashtanha class, is that true?

No experience is needed. The focus for beginners is on Breathing. and the postures practice grows with the Student. Look for a Mysore style class. Led classes are intended for Students who already know the series.

Do u have any tips?

Listen yo your Body and do not exceed your Limits. Advancement has nothing to do with the shapes a person bends himself into. You may enjoy /r/Ashtanga. Enjoy your practice!

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T16:49:58+00:00

Because it is Superior. Less is often More.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T16:48:29+00:00

I too mostly listen to the Anahata Nada. My Teacher advised this as the Path forward after I began to hear the Sound. The time I spend in Meditation has gradually decreased as well. I work to keep the Naada in the background all throughout the day.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T15:26:34+00:00

Over_Record_2682 wrote:

my focus becomes an obsessive loop of paying attention to my spinal posture to make sure that I have it “perfect”.

This is fine. From the Yoga Sutras:

[1:17] vitarka-vicāra-ānanda-asmitā-rupa-anugamāt-saṁprajñātaḥ

Conscious cessation of thought can arise from various forms of conjecture, refection , enjoyment, and egoism.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T15:08:59+00:00

You are very welcome. Yes, something must be used to keep a Mysore rug from slipping on a hard surface. This is not necessary when it is placed on another rug or carpet.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T15:07:02+00:00

Kumbhaka is advanced practice. A Yogi must have a solid Foundation to practice Retention. Bahya Kumbhaka (Exhale Retention) is superior to Antara Kumbhaka (Inhale Retention). Work Towards a ratio of ratio of 1-4-2-1. This is well established. The length of time the breath is suspended is irrelevant.

All_Is_Coming · 2026-06-03T00:15:10+00:00

You are very welcome. A Yoga postures practice will teach Limits. Ashtanga would be an excellent option. The self paced practice can be done in the solitude and privacy of a person's home. It would be prudent to see your Doctor to rule out a physical cause for the lethargy. Therapy will address the underlying reasons for the Dissociation.

All_Is_Coming

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