Bikram Yoga Blog - Latest Posts

Here are the latest 3 postings from our blog. Click on the 'Bikram Yoga: My Practice' link below to read all our blog posts and access the free Bikram Yoga archives!

Bikram Yoga: My Practice

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

 

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!

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!

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