Bikram Yoga: My Practice

From one extreme to the other - that's Bikram Yoga!

2005-11-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

I had a kind of a weird class tonight.

A little cruisy perhaps - they feel that way sometimes. And plenty of times where I just 'wasn't there'. And of course, one is not supposed to do that! I did try to keep my focus back on my breath, but time after time I found myself just 'thinking about stuff'.

And yet I was still working very hard physically - that's the weird thing! In floor bow (Dhanurasana) I found myself thinking about something to do with another website I have - but not in a stressful kind of way - just dreaming. And yet the more the instructor urged us on, the more I responded, in a distant fashion. Very weird. Normally the arduous nature of Bikram Yoga really does keep one focused on the physical.

Then when we got to Camel Pose, my stomach took over - now this is not a posture I normally have any issues with but tonight I had to come out quickly before vomiting! From then on, the rest of the class was really awful, no time or head space for dreaming - all my effort was focused on staying with the breath and working through whatever was going on in my stomach.

Oh dear!

Well, at least if nothing else, you know that the yoga really does work on so many levels!

My tips from tonight:

Have no expectations about your class - there is no point!
When your body feels odd, stick with it if you can and focus on your breath
If you cannot stick with it, then lay down in Savasana - it's a yoga pose after all
And remember, the whole 90 mins is yoga and meditation. Try to keep your head in the room!

Until the next time,

Namaste

Robert

8th Bikram Yoga Class and I'm flying!

2005-10-24T04:14:00.000-07:00

Well I'm flying compared to the first class back anyhow!

It is still all about the adductors at the moment, however I am pleased to say that my hamstrings are opening back up and I am now managing an extended 'locked out leg' in many Bikram Yoga poses. I even managed to extend out (kick out) in 2nd set of Dandayamana Janushirasana. It feels like after 'only' 8 classes back, I can already feel the old (and frankly better) me returning!

What was interesting was what I didn't notice in class tonight.

I didn't notice my heart pounding away and I didn't notice any conscious effort required to slow down and deepen my breathing back to abdomino-diaphragmatic breath.

In fact the instructor tonight had a few 'newbies' in the class and what I did notice was that the additional huge amount of information being delivered was annoying me a little - I just wanted to get on with the postures! Naughty boy! Shouldn't be getting impatient in a yoga class!

Anyway it was all good and a great class to boot, nice and sweaty. No matter how much the so-called 'fitness experts' harp on about the heat being this and that, personally I have never found it anything but beneficial. The same goes for all our students. Mind you, one does have to re-focus on sufficient daily hydration and also maintaining good habits during class. There is actually a great article written by a non-Bikram person - Lesley Funk - on our website, which sets out quite clearly the facts about any form of exercise in the heat.

Namaste

Robert Scanlon

PS Gabrielle hasn't posted for a while due to a recent and complex ear operation preventing her from attending class. We wish her well and anticipate her return and her wonderful classes.

Phew! 5th Bikram Yoga class ... too many gaps!

2005-10-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

Well having been away for a week (again) where there is no local studio, it was good to get back tonight to a great class (thanks Gabrielle!).

Hips are now fine, my hip flexors are not hurting at all - most stiffness now seems to be hamstring and adductor related. Very common in men of course.

However, the bliss I can now feel stretched out' in Savasana is amazing - as if pure energy is flowing back through my legs. And that lovely 'looseness' after a good solid Bikram Workout! Mmmmm.

Interestingly my focus and balance were way off tonight - not surprising as I have finally managed to drum up a bit of frustration and stress with my 'other job'. Fell out of standing separate leg head to knee and Tadasana, which had been rock solid the previous 4 classes. Everything moves in this yoga series!

And tonight was the night the instructor decided to run Camel/Ustrasana somewhat longer! The panic started early as I was already testing some limits - could I regain the pull on the heels? (Yes yes, I know, achievement oriented. But Bikram is good for that!). Fortunately over the years, I have learned how to make Camel work for me not against me, so:

Push out the tummy and breathe fully into it, even if it is difficult at first.
Arch up (of course).
Relax the tongue and jaw.
Keep squeezing the buttocks!

And I have to say, the long holding was excellent, felt great.

This week I'd really like to be able to run a few classes together, so there is something more to report ...

Until then,

Namaste

Robert Scanlon

Feeling good, but alas, no Bikram Yoga this week!!

2005-10-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. 3 classes in a row after nothing for over 8 months ... and then nothing again for a week!

I was away with work, too busy to do yoga in the hotel room, no Bikram studio available! But, the day after that 3rd class I felt awesome! Just like the old days (not with the range of motion I used to have of course), but it felt good. Anyway, back home now, so I'll have to get straight back into it. I could feel my internal organs really appreciating the cleanse too. My digestion felt better, my waistline had already shrunk some ... and only after 3 classes!

I tell you, this Bikram Yoga is really good, so deep and satisfying, it is a shame that some of the yoga community is a little -anti-Bikram. (Somewhat snobbishly I reckon!) as it really does suit the general tired and stressed modern day citizen. Oh well, we believe in it, so we'll just keep on keeping on and let the yoga and it's amazing results speak for itself.

So how many times should one practice?

Over 5 times a week is absolutely magnificent! 3 or 4 is good and you will notice progress. Twice per week is sufficient maintenance (holding position) if you are really unable to make any more classes.

But once per week? That's gonna be stiff and achy every week! And difficult to make any progress. Better than nothing I guess.

And feast and famine as I am currently experiencing? That's not good, too much up and down for the body. Hopefully this week, it will be a bit different ... I'll keep you informed!

Namaste,

Robert Scanlon

Returning to Bikram Yoga after a long break!

2005-10-02T04:50:00.000-07:00

Too long without yoga. Too long without hot yoga. We decided to take a long break with our 2 year old and take ourselves to France. With only 2 hot yoga studios and the closest 2 hours away from our apartment I had little choice than to skip it altogether. Save for the few times I managed to bundle off my husband and child, take the trouble to shift the furniture in our tiny lounge room, then heat it with a tiny convection heater, I had to resign myself to a break from yoga, almost all types really due to the size of the flat and the disruption to our home life.

What I didn't count on was the disruption to my life in general. I NEED this yoga. A bit more of an animated personality than my calmer husband I found my resources started to dwindle after a few months. My temper was a little shorter, my body a lot less toned, my metabolism slowed and on top had to deal with delicious French cuisine. It was then I decided to document my return. Loads of my students in the past (hey even me) have returned feeling the dread of coming back and going through 'it' all over again. The dread of possible aches and pains, that heat, those same 26 Bikram Yoga poses AGAIN! Coupled with that the promise of renewed sense of inner peace, better balance focus and concentration in and out of the room, and a trimmer taut body tip the balance back again...

So how was it you ask? That first class back. Difficult. Physically. My body is far less flexible now (although still very flexible) I am tight particularly down the back of my legs (why is my left leg worse, I wonder?). My tendency towards scoliosis - (all but disappeared when I started Bikram yoga, now returned to about 10% original severity) exacerbated by no yoga and carrying my daughter on my left hip which is hers and my preferred side - has returned a bit, reminding me that it is all part of a continuing maintenance program.

The most important thing on returning back to the hot room is to put ego aside and work on the basics. So my first few classes are devoted to strengthening my legs. You know, "lock the knee, lock the knee, lock the knee!". I purposely avoided going further into standing head to knee paying more attention to also strengthening core muscles by 'sucking in the stomach' and lifting the pelvic floor. With my ego out of the way I just did the best I could trying to still the chatter in my head. I was the observer noticing the extent I could (or indeed, couldn't) go into postures. A few 'returns to yoga' after forced breaks has taught me at least that.

I definitely worked hard. In fact I think it is impossible not to. Bikram Yoga seems ideally set up that way. Chunked for success. Short to long bursts of effort followed by short breaks or savasanas. So just when I think I cannot go on any more, I have a break and then, hey presto, I can reapply myself with renewed vitality and determination.

Let's see what else happens.

Namaste,

Gabrielle

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

2005-09-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

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!

2005-09-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

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

2005-09-29T00:15:00.000-07:00

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