Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Bikram Yoga...and Clenching My Teeth

Does anyone else notice they hold a lot of tension in their jaw when they are in Bikram Yoga class? Lately in class I have been noticing that while I try to stay calm in class by breathing in and out of my nose, I am clenching my teeth like I am fighting not to even open my mouth.

I grind my teeth in my sleep, so I guess I already have a lot of tension in my jaw to begin with. How can I help myself loosen my jaw while I practice Yoga without switching to mouth breathing?

Yesterday in class I tried to tell myself to loosen up my jaw, but I couldn't find the place. Any ideas???

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Take something other than Bikrams then :-) I would be tense if I was being told to lock my knees, lock my hips, lock my shoulders (OK can't move now!!). The instructions are so unsafe, truly.

Let your clenching teeth be a sign that you may need something that creates more harmony on your nervous system.

YogaMaendy said...

Thanks for your comment.
I do other types of Yoga as well, but I only seem to clench my jaw in Bikram. I love Bikram Yoga best though.

Anonymous said...

Hi Yoga Maendy! I've been taught that it helps to rest your tongue behind your two front teeth...that release the jaw. Hope that helps!

Namaste,
Laura

YogaMaendy said...

Thanks for the comment :) I will try that tonight in class!