3rd Class back and Bikram Yoga is doing its stuff!

I can't say it hasn't hurt a little and it has certainly forced me to re-focus at times and be strong with my self talk - but ... 3rd class back tonight and I can feel my body starting to groan less and open up more. Almost no trembling tonight either.

 

Today it was all about the adductor muscles (causing tight inner thighs/legs and hips), those warrior poses really testing my mettle. Triangle, formerly one of my more powerful and 'easy' Bikram Yoga Poses, was sooo hard tonight. The antidote? Breathe, breathe, breathe, long slow and deep in and out through the nose. (Thanks to tonight's teacher, Steve, I was properly reminded of this at exactly the right moment.)

 

I lost concentration tonight too a couple of times - one time it was OK, seemingly meditating during Pavanamuktasana (Wind Removing Pose) and didn't even notice myself doing the postures (or the aches and stiffness still in my hip flexors!). The other time it was in Dandayamana Dhanurasana (Standing Bow) where my head just went somewhere else, so of course I lost balance!

 

It was good tonight though after only the third class to notice muscles regaining definition and some feeling of 'practicing Bikram Yoga' rather than just doing some hard physical exercise. And hey, I got to lock out both legs in Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana (Standing Separate Leg Head To Knee), so something is loosening up in my hamstrings (typically always tight in males).

 

There is no doubt though for me, this is one of the best simultaneous work-outs your body and mind can get.

 

Namaste

 

 

 

Robert Scanlon

Returning to Bikram Yoga: 2nd class back!

Hip flexors, abdominal muscles. Again. Hip Flexors, abdominal muscles. I wasn't expecting those to be my weak spots today!

 

A little stiff for the second class back, in fact the first 20 mins were tough, but I felt mentally stronger. Less trembling, especially in the standing locked-out leg series. A little limited in my range of motion in some of the back-bending poses compared to the day before, but maybe that was because I was able to notice it this time!

 

Floor poses definitely better and a much better sense of well-being at the end of class. Can't wait to get back again - already after 2 classes I can feel my body responding and the heat providing its welcome cleanse. There is no doubt Bikram Yoga can create what we call 'first class miracles' (read some of them at http://www.bikram-yoga-noosa-australia.com/BikramTestimonials.htm).

 

I'm still a long way off were I was 'at' before - but that presupposes that someone is measuring progress (me!!), which is not what any yoga is about. Then after class one of our students said to me; "You always tell us it doesn't matter where you are at, it only matters that you are doing it". Thanks Annie, I knew that, honestly I did!!

 

Anyway, it really is a great pleasure to come back to the practice and feel the Bikram series doing what it is famed for: bringing flexibility, strength, balance and focus into our lives and blowing stress out the window ...

 

Namaste,

 

 

 

Robert Scanlon

Getting back to Bikram Yoga after a long absence: The dreaded first class back

Phew! I really thought that the first 'blog poster' here would be my wife as she is already 5 classes ahead of me in returning to our Bikram Practice after (for me at least) an 8 month absence.
During which time I consumed large quantities of pizza, cheese, exquisite baguettes and of course ... red wine. Well we were living in the South Of France, so what else was I supposed to do?!
Anyway, first class back last night. I've had some long times away from Bikram before and with each of those times I pushed way too hard in the first class back and really ached badly afterwards! I was determined NOT to do this again, so I didn't. It is only a result of the ego wanting to prove something anyhow, so time to let go of that methinks.
I am still a little stiff and sore today, but I am going again in one hour's time, which should do me the world of good.
Honestly there was so much stuff going on in my head about going back and how horrible it was going to be (!) that in some ways, the actual class itself (Thanks Wayne!) was a pleasure, although still physically hard. Its a love hate thing you know. At least I didn't feel sick, just very very happy to be back!!!
Anyhow, I was tight where I didn't expect it and reasonably OK in other places. Thank goodness for the heat, protecting muscles and getting everything warm with good blood flow. It is my opinion that the heat is safer for the muscles than otherwise practicing 'cold'. After all the Indians have been doing it everyday in the heat for 1,000s of years!
The only reason I say this, is because I have heard surface again recently the Bikram Myths about 'the heat causing potential over-stretching', which is really not well substantiated in fact. But the fitness world is a funny place and each to their own I guess. You can read much more information on our website, go to: http://www.bikram-yoga-noosa-australia.com/
OK, I'll be back again after my second class! (With some more specific Bikram Pose references and what it is like to get back into them ...)
Namaste

Robert Scanlon