Slippery grace: Yoga is for people with hyperhidrosis too

Hi everyone, It's been a busy summer so far. I hope everyone is enjoying these long days. I wanted to call your attention to an interesting post, Yoga and Hyperhidrosis, written by the author of hyperhidrosis blog My Life as a Puddle.

I have avoided attending a yoga class for a very long time because of my hyperhidrosis (HH). I worry about sweating all over the yoga mat and leaving puddles on the floor. I also worry about doing positions like downward dog and sliding out of them since my hands are sweaty and have no traction.  

I can relate. Nevertheless, I fell in love with yoga about 15 years ago, despite my sweaty palms and feet.

Sweaty palm spirituality

It took me about 8 years from the first time I wanted to do yoga (back in the 80s when it wasn't nearly as popular in the U.S.) to the time I started doing it regularly. In my first class, the teacher asked us to work with a partner, taking turns holding each others' feet in a pose.  Just thinking about it now makes my feet sweat! At the end of the class, we all sat in a circle meditating and holding hands. Needless to say, the class was less than relaxing. Because the teacher was an exceptionally kind woman (as well as a therapist with her own practice), I called her afterwards to tell her why I wanted to drop out. As is often the case, her reaction to my disclosure was underwhelming. Without skipping a beat, she said, "It's no problem. We don't have to hold hands while we meditate. I appreciate your sharing your perspective."

That was 15 years ago, and I've been doing yoga ever since. As I type this, I think of this wonderful teacher and smile. I hope she knows she made a difference in someone's life.

Quick yoga tips for people with hyperhidrosis

• Bring a towel to class, and use the towel under your hands during downward dog, plank, and other exercises where you place weight on your hands. No fancy equipment is needed. I find that the thin towels usually found at gyms work the best. 
• Bring socks in case you do partner exercises
• If the teacher seems like a discreet and understanding person, talk to him or her privately about any discomfort you might be having due to your hyperhidrosis
• Use this opportunity to go deep inside yourself, focusing on your breathing and the alignment of your body. You might find that your sweating is reduced by the end of the class. This is almost always the case for me.
• Be kind and gentle to your body and your spirit.

Love,
Tiara

The spiritual lessons of hyperhidrosis

Thanks to "My Life as a Puddle" for this insightful post about hyperhidrosis and loving life as it is.  This is exactly the kind of conversation we need to be having. I agree that people with hyperhidrosis should seek medical treatment, but at the same time, we need to learn to love ourselves as we are.

Love,
Tiara

Loving your sweaty hands and feet

Is it possible to love the sweat that causes us so much pain? As a teenager, that seemed impossible. But a series of events has allowed me to shift my perspective. First, a boyfriend of many years held my hand and told me that he loved my sweaty palms. He had to say it over and over again before I could believe him. Once I let it sink in, I could release much of the pain I felt over my hyperhidrosis. I had built a wall around my pain to protect myself, but such walls hinder your ability to let yourself fully enjoy the love of another person.

Later, as part of my meditation practice, I began doing the lovingkindness meditation, a Buddhist practice in which you consciously direct loving thoughts to yourself and others, including people whom you find difficult. After much practice, I was able to direct love and compassion to my sweaty hands and feet.

I don't love my sweaty hands and feet all the time, but little by little, I am learning the art of lovingkindness.

If you are interested in lovingkindness meditation, you might try Sharon Salzberg's excellent CDs on the subject.

Now I'm going to love myself even more and log off the computer so I can relax! (-:

Love,
Tiara

P.S. Let's keep the people of Burma in our thoughts and prayers. Here's how to help.