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sweaty palms

 
 

Dara
Novice

Nov 6, 2000, 12:52 AM

Post #1 of 7 (95 views)
sweaty palms Can't Post
I have very sweaty palms and it makes it difficult
for me to stay in downward dog and other poses for
an extended period of time. What would people
recommend to help me hold poses?

I am grateful for any help on this matter

Emma Lay
Novice

Nov 9, 2000, 6:17 PM

Post #2 of 7 (94 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
I experience the exact same thing !! I thought it was just me! Can't wait to hear the reply.

erin
Enthusiast

Nov 10, 2000, 5:16 AM

Post #3 of 7 (93 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
This has come up in my classes numerous times and I have a theory based on my own personal experience. Sweaty palms usually come from an emotional response to a situation - a fear response to be more specific. Observe the emotions that surface before, during and after this asana, this should always be addressed when performing any asana as it is part of the whole process of developing awarness. My guess is that this is not your favorite asana. On the physical level you are putting the body into a position that is unfamiliar, perhaps painful and very challenging. Also, you have experienced the sweaty palms before and fear having the same reaction which only creates more anxiety. The adrenal response kicks in and there you have it - your hands are sliding down the mat again. So, what do you do to stop this pattern? My answer is to work on the pose using a chair for support. This will take a great deal of intensity out of the stretch in the legs and place less weight on the arms so slipping in the hands will be lessened. This way you may stay in the position longer and thus become more comfortable with it.

To practice place a chair with its back to the wall. Place both hands shoulder width apart on the seat of the chair. You may place a nonskid mat on the seat as well, if you have to. Walk your feet back so that you are in downward dog position. Have the heel of your hand well on the seat of the chair and press the palms flat, forward and down. Do not let the heel of your hand move back towards you so that you are pushing into the front edge of the seat and your wrists are "broken." Stand down into your feet and take the hips back as you reach through the arms.

I am 99% sure that the root of your problem is in this emotional response. I had the same experience myself with full arm balance (hand stand) for quite some time. Now I am no longer afraid in the pose unless a teacher is instructing variations with which I am unfamiliar, then the sweaty palms return. Somehow just knowing why it is happening and acknowleging and being with the fear causes it to subside.

This is my opinion. Hope it helps you out.

yogibear
Novice

Nov 14, 2000, 11:45 AM

Post #4 of 7 (92 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
dip your hands in french chalk or talc (u.k term) prior to doing the pose

Scott Higgins
Novice

Nov 16, 2000, 4:42 AM

Post #5 of 7 (91 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
I always take a small towel with me to class,
so wiping hands or feet just before the pose
canhelp. My teacher alo concentrates on
lightening the pose as we go deeper, and on
the specifics of correct weight distribution
through the different parts of the palms,
fingers and thumbs. Hope this helps.

Scott

Matt
Novice

Jan 26, 2001, 2:31 AM

Post #6 of 7 (90 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
I had this problem a while back with me. i have found a couple solutions to this problem. i'll share them with you. i hope they give you some stability in your poses. i have taken a small towel and placed it on the front of my sticky mat so that my hands won't slide. also, i focus on being calm and cool in the pose. in poses like adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog) pressing the hands down into the floor instead of pushing them away grounds the hands better. or you can grip the side of your mat with both of your hands. hopefully this will benefit you in some way.

yours in yoga,

matt

Snow Leopard
User

Mar 18, 2001, 3:33 AM

Post #7 of 7 (89 views)
Re: sweaty palms [In reply to] Can't Post
In Adho Mukha Svanasana it is also important to roll the skin on the index finger and thumbs towards each other and toward the floor. It helps with the "grip".

 
 
 


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